Chapter 3:
"You're where?" Soda exclaimed over the telephone.
"We had to take Johnny to the hospital, and we don't know how long we'll be here. We need you to take care of the hose and NOT goof off. Do you think you can handle that?" Darry asked him.
"Of course I can, what do you not believe in me?" Soda said in a joking way.
"OK, thanks talk to you later Bud.
"You too"
We walked back to Johnny's room, and by this time he was awake.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Pretty good." He lied. I smiled.
Just then the doctor walked in. "Johnny, you can go home with Mr. Curtis tomorrow if you wish.
"Ok Doc thanks. Can Darrel and Ponyboy stay with me tonight, or is that against the hospital rules?"
"One or the other, not both."
"Ok thanks."
The doctor walked out. "Hey, Pony, would you dig staying here tonight?
"Do I? Of course I do! Just let me ask Darry."
I asked him and he said 'yes', after some debate. He was worried that I'd get in the hospital staff's way, but I promised him I wouldn't. So he said 'yes'.
I came back to the room and told Johnny the news. He was delighted that I'd actually stay wit him.
At this time it was 1:00 P.M. We could go home tomorrow at 8:00 A.M, and both of us were counting the minutes till then. Johnny because he's gotten so used to staying in hospitals. Me, because I have a strong hatred for them. Not necessarily them, but for what they represent for me. To me they mean people, who need help. They are all sick or depressed; it's just not someplace I love being around. But, Johnny was there. I'd do anything for Johnny. If he wanted me to stay, I'd stay and make the best of it.
Darry and I stayed in Johnny's room, pretty much just watching over him as he slept, all day. Darry left at 7:00P.M., when people must leave, and then Johnny and I got some alone time. I started our conversation." Well, only thirteen hours left until we get home."
"Yeah."
"You don't have to go home. Doc said you could stay with us until you're better."
"Yep, but I can't stay with you forever."
I got quiet; I didn't want to tell him that Darry and I had talked about taking him in, just in case we couldn't.
"Johnny, this is a personal question, so don't answer if you're not comfortable with it."
"OK give it to me."
"Have your parents ever tried to… well… you know…to get help?"
"NO! They ain't ever tried to get help! They ain't ever told me how important I was, they ain't ever said 'Johnny, we love you'! NOTHING! That's what's they've done! ABOSLUTLEY NOTHING! Ponyboy, if it weren't for you and the gang, I don't know what I'd be like."
He was starting to cry and I felt horrible for asking him abbot it.
"Hey Man, I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"No Pony, You should know, you're my best friend, practically a brother. You should know everything going on in my life, good and bad."
"Yeah. Man, Johnny, I was just thinking'. You don't even know how important you are to me and the guys, man, if we didn't have you we'd all fall apart.
"Aww shucks, Pony. Thanks, you don't know how much that means to me. Well, I think I'm gonna go o sleep now, its quarter to nine and I want to get up early tomorrow.
"Yeah Same."