Chapter 7 - Night of Suspense
Two-Bit couldn't take it. He went to his own house. His family had gone out for the week, but at least he was alone and comfortable. He couldn't take the way Ponyboy was being. It was just too much for him anymore. He wasn't sure if he should stop being Ponyboy's guardian or not. He felt as though he couldn't trust Ponyboy anymore. He sighed as he sat on his old couch, watching television and having a beer. He felt at home again. He didn't know what to do about Ponyboy. He should call a doctor. He knew that. That was the best thing for Ponyboy. And now he had a phone in this house. He shook his head, though. He didn't want to think about that at the moment. What he really wanted to do was relax and maybe if he went back to the house in the morning, Ponyboy would be feeling better. Of course, then he would seem normal for a little while and the smallest thing would set him off again. It happened everyday. It was terrible.
"Oh, what am I gonna do?" Two-Bit said to himself as he sat on his couch. He was so stressed out and didn't know what he should do at all. That was when the phone rang and he found out that Ponyboy had taken an overdose of tranquilizers and that he was in a bad state. Two-Bit ran back to the Curtis home where a doctor was standing.
"Are you Keith Matthews?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, sir. I am. How did you know about Ponyboy?"
"Apparently, your friend Steve Randle called the house and when there was no answer he came over to see if everything was okay. He found Ponyboy asleep on the bed with a half empy bottle of tranquilizers that had been subscribed to him. He seems to be okay now, but I must say it was very irresponsible for you to leave like that when he was in such a condition. You should have called a doctor for him."
Two-Bit sighed. "Yes, sir. I know I should have."
"We have some ties that you could use to tie him down in case he has one of his episodes. I have them in the bedroom closet for you. Also, make sure that you have safety locks on all of the medicine cabinets. Here is my number."
The doctor left and Two-Bit went to Ponyboy's room. He had the covers over him to his neck. He was undressed, his clothes laying in a pile on the floor. He looked peacefully asleep. Two-Bit approached him and ran a hand through his hair. "Poor Ponyboy."
Ponyboy opened his eyes with a tired look as he frowned. "Why did you leave, Two-Bit? I thought I lost you, too. So I thought I should calm myself by taking lots of pills."
"And that wasn't the right thing to do. You shouldn't have. I've been made a bad example of a guardian for you now. The doctor didn't like that I left you."
"And neither did I."
Two-Bit sighed as he sat on the edge of Soda's bed. Ponyboy moved around under the covers. "Now I know what it's like to be embarassed like that. Here I am with no clothes on in my bed and I just did such a stupid thing. I'm so ashamed of myself now."
"Don't be. The only other person in this room is me."
They both laughed as Ponyboy threw the covers off of him. "Yeah, who cares?" Ponyboy said. "The doctor had to look through all the papers to find your house number. He found it and I was happy because I wanted you to come back."
"And I am back now. I'll never leave again. I'm here with you, Ponyboy. And I'm sorry that I left the house. I'll always be there for you if you need help, Ponyboy. I promise you that."
Ponyboy looked out the window. "It sure looks nice out tonight," he exclaimed. "Do you think that we could go to a movie tonight?"
Two-Bit smiled. "Of course we can, Ponyboy. Of course we can. WE'll do anything you want, Ponyboy. We can go to a movie and do anything you want. Remember, we're brothers."
Ponyboy sighed with relief as he laid back and fell asleep. Two-Bit left the room and went to his own bedroom. He fell asleep, dreaming peaceful things for the first time in a while. Ponyboy finally seemed alright. He hoped it would stay this way now. It seemed like Ponyboy finally got the message.
More to come!!