Chapter 3: Inherited Immune System Deficiencies
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, We do not own "The Outsiders" or any of the Curtis' Gang. :( The real author of "The Outsiders" is the fabulous S.E. Hinton. We also do not make a profit from the stories that we write here on this site.
Summary: How will Ponyboy's life change when he is found with a rare, genetic deficiency in his immune system? Will it becomes even worse when it is discovered that he also has asthma? How will the rest of the gang change to fit his new circumstance? How will Pony survive with two overprotective brothers? Young/baby Pony for some chapters.
(May, 3rd 8:00am)
Third Person P.O.V
The next morning, Linda and Darrel brought Ponyboy home from the hospital after discovering that he had a rare genetic illness and to top it off, asthma. It was all a haze. Both parents barley got any sleep worrying about their baby boy, their two other young boys, medical expenses, and just about everything else that could go wrong or may go wrong. The doctor had said that there were organizations that are willing to help with medical bills, but the couple was still skeptical.
Linda awoke that morning to Ponyboy bawling like his head was on fire. She rolled out of bed to calm him and to go make breakfast. She cooed and rocked Pony while trying to flip pancakes (it had become a skill she developed) while little Steve Randle, Soda's best friend, came walking into the kitchen.
"Hey, momma. Gee that smells real good." Steve called her 'momma' ever since he was four years old because his own mother was always out doing God knows what and he never got to see her much, Steve resented his mother a little, even at such a young age.
"Hey there, Stevie." She said kindly as she wiped some dirt off of his cheek. Steve smile up at her. Linda set Ponyboy in a small crib in the corner of the kitchen. Steve went over and peeked in. Suddenly, he felt his nose itch and sneezed. Linda didn't hear it with the thump thump thump of Soda and Darry racing down the stairs.
"Steve!" Soda shouted and wrapped Steve in a big bear hug like it wasn't yesterday the last time they saw eachother.
"Pancakes!" Darry shouted, pancakes were his favorite, besides chocolate cake of course.
Just then Darrel came waltzing into the kitchen to join the shouting, screaming, and huggin'. "Darlin', you made pancakes? What's the occasion?" A wave of realization hit Darrel like a ton of bricks.
"No occasion I just wanted to make my boys a nice breakfast." She said pointing to Soda, Darry and Steve. They smiled as they stuffed their faces with syrup covered pancakes.
"Momma after breakfast can me and Steve play with Pony?" Soda asked between bites.
"Yes but you have to wash your hands first." Linda said firmly.
All three boys looked up at her, puzzled. "Why?" Darry asked.
"Because…" Linda racked her brain looking for an answer, she didn't want to tell them the truth, not yet.
"Because," Darrel cut in, "He's afraid of germs." Soda and Steve thought that was a valid answer but Darry knew something was up, but he ignored it.
After breakfast Soda and Steve sat on the floor in Soda's room with Ponyboy waving toys in front of his face trying to get his attention, while Darrel sat on the couch and watched last night's game and Linda and Darry washed the dishes.
"He's boring." Steve remarked.
"No he's not, he's just not ready to play yet." Soda defended. Darrel, hearing him from his place in the kitchen, chuckled at how protective Soda was of his baby brother. Before Ponyboy was born Soda always longed for a baby brother and now that he had one, he loved him more than anything in the world.
"Let's play trucks!" Soda suggested, grabbing them off of his shelf. Steve quickly grabbed his favorite truck with one hand and itches his nose with the other.
A few minutes later Soda got thirsty and ran into the kitchen, dragging Steve along with him to grab some juice. Steve's nose got itchy again and he let out he big sneeze. Terror grew in Linda's mind.
"Steve, honey, do you have cold?" She asked as kindly as she could without having a melt down. A cold could be fatal for Ponyboy.
"Yeah, I got a bit of one why?" Steve said innocently and a bit sheepishly, worried what she would say, so were Darry and Soda. She never sent any of the boys away, she would always let them stay no matter what, even if they were real sick or just a cold.
"I think it's time for you to go on home now, honey." She said trying not to hurt his feelings. "Ponyboy needs to get some rest."
Steve was hurt and confused. "Okay," he said sadly. "Bye Soda, thanks for breakfast." He said it so quietly only Soda heard him. He was trying not to cry as he pushed the door open and walked back to his house.
"Why'd you do that mommy?" Soda asked. Linda didn't answer she just went back to washing dishes.
Darrel pulled her aside. "Don't you think that was a little drastic?" He asked.
Linda was outraged by this inquiry. "No, Darrel, I really don't. Steve could get Pony really sick and I'm not willing to take any chances. Listen, the best thing to do right now is to isolate Ponyboy. He's really vulnerable right now so the only people who can see him is you, me and the boys and that's final."
"Honey, the boys need you, they need an example. Have them wash their hands once they come inside and Pony should be fine," Darrel reasoned with her.
"We'll see," she said finally.
Stay Gold Darlings,
Pony'sgirlfriend & 2chillxx