Chapter 16

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Ponyboy's POV

Darry told me I couldn't have chocolate cake anymore if it was making me sick; at least until we knew for sure. I was a bit bummed out at first but I could deal having no cake if it meant I would stop getting sick and feeling the substantial throbbing headache that felt like a jack-hammer in my head.

"Why don't you go and lie down and we'll save you a plate of food if you want it later," Darry instructed.

I gave a nod and Soda helped me back to the bedroom.

I didn't feel like going out to have dinner or bothering with anything. I felt Soda hop into the bed next to me.

"You still awake Ponyboy? I thought you was asleep when you didn't come out all night."

"Nah just thinking," I replied.

"Well, try get some sleep 'kay?"

X

"You'll never let me down, Ponyboy," Darry's words rang in my ear as I tried to fall asleep. My head was spinning trying not to think about what Darry said.

I continued to toss and turn, but I couldn't seem to fall asleep. Was Darry really proud of me? Did he care if I was sick?

I shut my eyes but my thoughts still raced in my head as I thought of how I was burdening my brothers.

"Ponyboy! Soda and I are sick of taking care of you! You are ungrateful and can't even pull your own weight around here! You should be going to school and doing chores but you can't even do that. I can't support you if you laze around, not making an effort to get better!"

"Darry I want to get better. I'm trying."

"Ponyboy trying isn't good enough! I'm contacting social services to take you to a boy's home where they can afford to take care of you, because I don't want to deal with this anymore!"

"Darry please don't send me away, please..."

"Darry please, don't send me away..."

I felt a hand shake me. "Ponyboy wake up."

I opened my eyes to see Soda next to me. "You having a nightmare?" Soda asked.

I nodded. "I thought Darry and you had enough of me being sick and not pulling my own weight, you were both going to send me to a boy's home."

I felt tears rise in my eyes; I knew it was a nightmare but it always felt real.

"Pony you know that would never happen, Darry and I love you. You're stuck with us no matter what."

I smiled at Soda and went back to sleep but this time I fell into a peaceful sleep.

X

When I woke up, the house was silent. I noticed immediately that my head didn't hurt and after waking up from my nightmare I didn't wake up for the rest of the night.

After I cooked some eggs and ate those I threw on my coat and track shoes. I felt like going outside; something I hadn't done in months.

The icy winter air stung my face as I walked down the road; but I didn't care.

I heard a car horn and saw Two-Bit in his car.

"Going for a run Ponyboy?" he asked.

"No, I'm just going for a walk," I called back.

"Need a ride home?" he asked.

"Naw. I'll be home in a few hours," I informed him.

He nodded and started to drive again.

I picked up into a jog and headed to a nearby lake. I pulled out my copy of Gone with the Wind. I thought about the time I was in Windrixville in the church and about the nights spent reading and watching sunsets with my best friend.

I thought about Dallas saving Johnny from the flames though I knew he was too late and I thought about the police's guns when they spit bullets into Dallas chest and he fell down in a pool of his own blood, just like Bob.

I jolted out of my thoughts when I felt something wet on my cheek and I realized that I was crying. I got up, but memories of my friends still lingered with me as I ran home.

"Let's do it for Johnny, man. We'll do it for Johnny." -Dallas Winston's voice echoed.

"Stay Gold, Ponyboy, Stay Gold." –Johnny's voice spoke.

I knew what I needed to do. I needed to take care of myself and push through. I couldn't give up because I'm not dead yet and unlike Dally and Johnny, I could still fight.

X

"Steve-o's coming here after dinner," Soda told me and I smiled; Steve and I had been getting along real well lately.

After dinner Steve came over as promised and we all decided to play a few rounds of poker. Soda had an ace in his shoe, but I pretended not to notice him slip it out.

"Royal flush," Soda announced a few minutes later as he laid down his cards.

"Bull, Soda. You had an ace in your shoe," Steve shouted.

"How dare you accuse me of cheating, I didn't cheat," Soda yelled.

I realized that this would go forever if I didn't intervene.

"Soda, we all saw the ace in your shoe," I told him.

"Traitor!" he yelled and tackled me very lightly.

I kicked his stomach and he rolled off of me. Steve clasped me on the back.

"Nice kid. We outta teach you how to cheat," he informed me with a laugh.

I spent the rest of the night learning how to slip an ace in and out of my shoe and how not to act suspicious; have a real poker face. It was a great feeling being like normal and not getting sick this time.

I glanced over at Darry who was reading his paper and shared a smile with him. I could tell he seemed pleased I was having fun and feeling well. Maybe I was finally on the mend.