Chapter 11
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Ponyboy's POV
Darry, Soda, Two-Bit and I all finished our dinner and I rubbed at my head.
"You okay Pony?" Soda asked me and I gave a nod.
"Well Curtis', I best be going home to my Mom and sis," Two-bit stated; getting up from the table.
"Thanks for dinner Darry."
When Two-Bit left I noticed a silence at the table.
"Is something wrong Darry?" I asked.
"I need to tell you something Ponyboy, and I don't want you to feel guilty about any of it."
"Okay Darry," I replied quietly.
"Even with all the extra shifts I've been working to try and get you Oxygen therapy, there is just no way I am going to be able to afford it. I'm sorry Pony, I tried."
The look on Darry's face was full of failure, but he hadn't failed me. I pushed back my chair and went over to hug Darry.
"Don't blame yourself Dar, I understand, it's this stupid condition, you haven't failed."
Darry hugged me back. "Thanks Pony. You heading to bed soon?"
"Yeah I'm gonna try," I replied and headed down to the bedroom.
Again I woke up with a sharp headache and pain behind my eye only a few hours after going to sleep. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and decided to wait it out before going to grab some aspirins.
The excruciating pain was not stopping and I couldn't help but let out a small moan, which woke up Sodapop.
"Ponyboy, are you okay?"
I heard Soda's soft, gentle voice behind me, and felt his hand on my back. I couldn't stop thinking about what Darry had said to me at dinner; that we couldn't afford the treatment and I was stuck feeling like this.
"Pony I asked if you were okay?"
I turned to stare at Soda who had now scooted over to the side of the bed next to me.
I was unable to hold in my tears any longer and started to cry. "It hurts Soda, it just hurts."
Soda wrapped me in a hug and comforted me for what felt like hours. Once my headache calmed I wiped my eyes on my sleeve and stood up.
"Where you going Pony?"
"I can't sleep Soda so I'm gonna go sit on the couch and watch some TV."
"You want me to come with you?"
I nodded at Soda's question and the two of us grabbed a blanket and made our way to the couch. I grabbed four aspirin on the way then Soda allowed me to snuggle up against him where we quietly watched a western movie on the TV.
I watched the credits of the movie roll and glanced back to see Soda's reaction of the movie; even though I was tired and my eyes wanted to shut I did like the movie. I found Soda asleep against the couch and sighed. I carefully snuggled myself in closer to him and covered him up more with the blanket before staring back at the TV.
X
When the following morning came, Soda was still asleep and I had stayed up all night. I was so tired but I realized what was the point if I couldn't sleep properly anyway. I shifted my head around as I heard shuffling come from down the hall.
"Morning Darry," I whispered.
"Ponyboy, what are you doing out here, and with Soda?"
Darry gave his head a rub and stared at me with a look of worry on his face; I hated being the reason he worried so much, it wasn't fair on him.
"I couldn't sleep after a while and Soda came out here with me and we watched a movie on TV."
"You weren't up all night were you, Ponyboy?" He asked suspiciously.
I gave a shrug. "I couldn't sleep."
"Ponyboy I know it's hard for you but you need rest, otherwise you won't get better."
"I'm not going to get better anyway Dar," I protested angrily.
I saw Darry's look and immediately felt guilty for taking my feelings out on him, he looked so hurt.
"Sorry Dar, I just hate this."
"I know kiddo. Wake Soda up and I'll get a start on breakfast."
I nodded and shook Soda awake.
"Huh? Hey Ponyboy, is it morning already?"
X
I felt pretty hungry that morning and so ate my eggs and toast quickly. Soda was in a rush to get organized for his shift at the DX and he looked tired.
"Soda I'm sorry if I kept you up last night," I said guiltily.
"Don't worry Pone, it ain't your fault."
Soda raced out of the kitchen, leaving Darry and me alone and it gave me the chance to ask him what had been bothering me for a while now, since my diagnosis.
"Um Darry...I was thinking...what's going to happen with school and stuff, I mean if I have this headache condition for years?"
"Well Pony I can't have you going to school if you're so sick you can't function."
"What about the social worker, won't you get in trouble? I don't want to go to a boy's home," I mumbled, staring at my empty plate.
Darry took the plate from me. "Don't talk nonsense, Ponyboy. You ain't going to a boy's home. I don't know how long you'll have these headaches for but you are staying home from school until you are better, I'll notify the social worker when they come around next week and when I feel you are up to it; I'll get Two-Bit or Steve to bring your school work home for you."
"It's just..."
I honestly didn't know what to say to Darry, so I just gave a twisted smile, though he must have sensed my worry. He didn't get a chance to question it as Soda returned, wearing his DX uniform.
"I gotta go before the boss chews my head off for being late again. Bye Darry, Pony, and I'll see you tonight. Take care of yourself Pony."
"I will Soda, have a good day at work," I replied in a quiet tone.
Darry rested his hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry Pony, and if the worst happens you can always repeat a year. I mean look at Two-bit, he still hasn't graduated."
I know Darry was only trying to help and reassure me but the thought of having to repeat over and over was awful. I know I'd skipped so I was in front but then I'd be picked on more by the Socs.
I couldn't do that, but what choice did I have; not to mention all the hard work I had put into track this year and I wasn't even going to regional's, I know there was going to be others but what if I could never compete again?
I tried to look up about the situation but it was difficult when you didn't know what the future would hold.