Four Days Until Dawn
Installment 5
Repose
XXX
Darry came back inside and got his coat. He needed a break, a real break ... an opportunity to do something normal. Steve had come over, he and Sodapop were in the bedroom playing a very silent game of cards while watching Ponyboy sleep, so if he was going to go, this was the time.
"I'll be back in an hour or so. You okay with that?" It wasn't exactly a question, but he felt he should ask anyway.
Soda nodded, looking up at Darry's worn face. It had only been two days of keeping this vigil over their brother, and except for getting coffee or using the restroom, he had barely left Ponyboy's side.
"Go on, Dar. We got the kid." Steve nodded. Even Steve could see that Darry was at his limit. He didn't want to be there when the big guy finally broke.
Darry nodded, got his checkbook and headed to the grocery store.
"Get much done at work?" Steve asked to break the silence.
Soda picked up a card, grimaced at it and joined it with other cards he didn't want in his hand. "Worked on Mrs. Johannson's carburetor again. She insists there's a pinging noise."
"Again? I swear, that broad don't know nothing about cars." Steve picked up a card and gave it a cursory glance before adding it to his hand, discarding the two of clubs.
"No, but she gives good tips." Soda nodded with the closest thing to a genuine smile he'd had all day.
"Not as good as Mrs. Baker. And... Mrs. Baker's got a daughter that's nearly old enough."
"Old enough for what?" Soda asked, clearly not paying attention.
Steve dropped his hand, looking in shock at his best friend. "Hell, Soda, I know it ain't been but a few days, but there's plenty of chicks out there just itching to take Sandy's place. She messed around on you, she's history. Time to move on. C'mon, man, get your head back in the game! This chick digs you!"
Soda looked up, begrudgingly shoving his chin in his palm while resting his elbow on the tiny table. "Number one, I love Sandy, you know that. Number two, I ain't interested in dating anyone else right now. And number three, as you pointed out... Baker's daughter is nearly old enough. 'Nearly' only counts in horseshoes. Now move on. Different subject."
Steve eased back in his chair, giving up the subject for now. "Alright, alright. Didn't mean to rub salt in an open wound. But there's a world of opportunity out there, don't get mired in the past. And Sandy is most definitely in the past."
Soda gave him a reproachful look, hoping it would dissuade Steve from pursuing this topic. If Ponyboy wasn't in the condition he was in, Soda'd reach over and whack Steve right off his chair.
Steve finally had the hand he wanted and laid down his cards, earning a tired, giving-up toss of Soda's cards back at him. He chuckled, piling the cards up for Soda to shuffle. "I'm hungry. You had dinner yet?"
Soda shook his head, having forgotten about food in his worry. There wasn't much left to choose from; some cereal, some soup. The makings for sandwiches was in the fridge, but that was too much work for him. He'd gotten used to eating anything he could grab that was quick and easy, just so he could get back to Pony's side.
Steve got up, determined to make something decent for the both of them to eat. He'd seen what was going on, and could also see it wasn't doing anyone any good. He surfed their cabinets, skimmed through the fridge. The selection wasn't much, but he managed. Within minutes, he had bacon sizzling on the stove, what limp lettuce he could salvage from the tired head washed up, and some still-decent tomatoes sliced. He found some eggs and fried them up as well. In a pot, he dumped a can of soup. Smells of real food started drifting down the hall, and Soda's stomach answered the call with a grumble.
On the bed, Pony twitched. Soda moved closer; watching, waiting. Limbs still for so long finally showed life again. His head lolled from one side then slowly to the other, his hands felt along the sheets. Then his eyes opened, stared for a few seconds then blinked. Soda felt his heart jump at the same time. There was vague recognition in those green eyes. He wasn't well … yet, but he was getting there.
"Soda? Is somebody sick?"
The confusion was clear in a voice that wasn't.
"Yeah," he murmured softly. "Go back to sleep now."
The boy was still a moment, trying to comprehend the meaning.
"Am I sick?" he asked, the fog of illness thick around him.
Soda reached over and raked Ponyboy's hair with his fingers. "Yeah, you're sick. Now be quiet."
The boy relaxed some, sinking into the pillows as the little energy he'd had evaporated.
"Is Darry sorry I'm sick?" The confused look coupled with the painful implication of the question tore at Soda's heart.
"Yeah, he's sorry you're sick. Now please shut up, will ya, honey? Go back to sleep."
The boy finally obeyed the commands and drifted off to sleep again. Soda, thinking he was alone, leaned close over his brother, kissing him ever so slightly on his forehead. The sound of shifting weight in the doorway got Soda's attention and he looked over at Steve, who had been watching. What he'd seen and heard, coupled with how long he'd been there, he kept to himself.
"I uh, well .. dinner's ready."
Soda nodded and gave his brother another look. Ponyboy was soundly asleep with no hints of waking again soon evident. He pulled the covers tighter around Pony's shoulders and followed Steve to the table.
XXX
Darry made it back, carrying several bags in the door with him. Soda took one from him while Steve took another.
"Thanks," he said as his load was lightened. "How'd everything go?"
"Good. He uh, woke up for a moment."
Darry stopped in his tracks and looked at Soda hard. "Woke up? Is he still awake?"
Soda shook his head. "No. He was awake for only a minute or two. Said stuff like he couldn't remember why he was in bed. I told him he was sick and to go back to sleep."
"The kid's still a bit scrambled, Darry; but at least he wasn't fighting at stuff that ain't there." Steve added, trying to help.
"He woke up." Darry mumbled ironically. Figures, the moment he left his brother's side, that's when he'd come to. Darry wasn't sure if he should be happy that his brother was showing signs of improvement or upset that he'd missed it.
"It wasn't like he was spouting sense. Don't worry, you didn't miss nothing." Steve finalized it, putting the grocery away as Darry still stood in the kitchen, motionless.
Darry looked at Steve and rolled his eyes, knowing Steve wouldn't grasp the importance of missing something like this. While Soda and Steve put the grocery away, Darry headed down the hall.
"Pone?" Darry softly murmured as he sat on the side of the bed, leaning over.
His sleeping brother didn't wake, and Darry didn't try to force him. Instead, he brushed his finger along the cheekbone, then around his ear – as if tucking back an errant wisp. Darry shook his head at that pathetic haircut. It would take a few months to grow that blond mess out, or he could buy one of those hair coloring kits and get it at least closer to his natural shade. Darry smiled, thinking how goofy Pony would look with his head all dolled up like some lady in a boutique. It would destroy whatever shred of toughness his rep still clung to if the guys caught it, but whatever it took to make Ponyboy look like he was supposed to look was fine in his book. It would be Pony's decision though. Blond or reddish brown - as long as he was home, the rest didn't matter. He could shave it all off and start fresh for all Darry'd care.
XXX
Except for the two of them, the house was empty. Darry knew none of the gang would be over for at least an hour. Sodapop was gone as well, not that he really wanted to be gone though. They'd flipped for it; there was no winner or loser, but someone had to go and someone had to stay. Darry ended up staying, Soda going. He'd dressed in his nice pants and a decent shirt, then used Darry's good jacket to bundle up in.
Steve and Two-Bit were dressed similarly; Two-Bit in his only pair of black jeans while Steve wore a pair of dark pants, each wearing a decent shirt as well.
They weren't welcomed at the graveside service. Mr. and Mrs. Cade both had given them all nasty looks as the short funeral procession passed them going into the cemetery, but they'd made it as close as Soda's parents' graves and watched from that distance. Steve was anticipating trouble and kept a wary eye on Mr. Cade. He'd been known to backhand Johnny with timber, and wouldn't put it past him to act up at his own son's funeral. He'd do it, too, just to cause Johnny more pain - if he could.
In the end, it was just looks that were given. The day before while flipping the coin and discussing who was going, Steve and Two-Bit had talked about their chances of being Johnny's pallbearers, but knew the Cades would never allow it. They were right. Strangers carried Johnny's simple casket and placed it over the grave. Something too low for any of them to hear was read from the Bible, and then the Cade's turned to leave before the minister could even step over to shake either of their hands. Right away, the groundskeepers started lowering the casket, preventing any further goodbye's from anyone else. Even the gang's last farewells were forbidden. Soda had wanted to at least thank Johnny, silently, for keeping Ponyboy safe while they were gone, and like Steve and Two-Bit's last opportunity to say goodbye, his last chance was stolen from him as well.
The service had been short. There were no flowers. There wasn't a marker. Chairs weren't even set up. The Cades obviously wanted no one there, which hurt the guys deeply. Johnny's last act had him heralded as a hero, yet his parents went out of their way to seemingly dispose of him like trash. The guys knew there was nothing they could do for their friend.
"Bye, Johnny. You take care, kid." Two-Bit said aloud as they each shifted uneasily on their feet.
"Lets go." Steve commanded gently. He led the way and together they walked out.
XXX
"Mrs. Pendelton? It's Darrel Curtis. You helped me with Ponyboy... is this a bad time?"
"No, it's fine. Is he okay? Do you need me to come over?"
"No, he seems to be doing okay, still sleeping and all. I just wanted to ask your advice if I could. We.. well, we sort of have a social worker who is insisting that Ponyboy go to court to talk about all this. I'm not so sure he'll be able to do that. He hasn't even woken up yet. Any suggestions?"
On her end of the line, Marge tapped her forehead, thinking hard. "Darrel, I might be able to help, but there's no guarantee until Ponyboy wakes up. There's a doctor I know who might be interested in this case. I'll give him a call and fill him in, see if he'd be willing to lend a hand. I'll have him call you back later. That okay?"
Darry crammed his hand in his pocket, nodding at the receiver. "Yes, that would be great. I really appreciate this, Mrs. Pendelton."
"No problem. You just call if you need me. I don't mind a bit."
XXX
It was nearly midnight, yet Darry couldn't sleep. The recliner was not the best substitute for a bed, but he doubted that was the reason for his insomnia. He knew he'd regret it in the morning when he was supposed to be at work. Seeing the flashes of thunder in the sky, he doubted he'd even be going to work - at least not to the construction site. He sighed, knowing it meant he would be calling over to the warehouse to get on the schedule to make up for lost roofing hours. Still, a paycheck was a paycheck, and he was desperately needing a paycheck.
A crack of thunder ripped the night in half, rattling the window panes. Not five seconds later, lightening torched the sky as if it were midday.
"No! N-n-n..NO!" Ponyboy yelled, jerking his hands, fighting off some unseen enemy. "Darry!"
Darry was at his brother's side in an instant, holding his hands while trying to break through the mental bindings that confounded his memory.
"I'm here, Pone … I'm here. You're safe. Shhh, you're safe."
Whether or not the boy heard him, he couldn't say. Another crack of thunder boomed overhead, bringing Sodapop into the fray. Darry didn't admit it - Soda was nothing but a wreck after he'd come back from Johnny's funeral, but he was glad Soda'd come in anyway.
"How is he?" Soda asked, kneeling by the bed. He felt his brother's face, raked his hair and covered Ponyboy's free hand with his own. The trembling coming from the youngest was obvious.
"I can't tell if it's the usual nightmare thing or the delirium messing with him."
"Ponyboy, shhh baby. It's okay." Soda warily cooed. Another thunderous boom broke the silence, but Pony didn't flinch. Either he wasn't hearing the storm, or it wasn't having an effect anymore. Soda slid in under the covers, wrapping an arm over his young brother.
"You know if he gets to thrashing, he might get hurt worse," Darry cautioned.
"He ain't gonna thrash. He'll be fine." Soda answered with exhausted conviction. Months of sleeping so close to his brother had trained him to read the movements, the minute flexing of muscles, the faintest tremors of fear. He could respond and sooth in his sleep. It was second nature now. Darry watched as Sodapop curled his frame next to their youngest brother, held him to his chest and silently drifted off to sleep. A moment later, Darry moved back into the recliner, pulled a throw blanket over his own bulky frame and tried again to sleep.
XXX
Calla Lily Rose
Parts of The Outsiders used without permission. Please don't sue.
Wow. You guys still there? I know it's a dark tale, but really... where you expecting a party while he slept? It's almost over, even bears wake up after a long winter's nap.