I do not own THE OUTSIDERS! Thanks again for the comments! I appreciate them
PONY'S POV
I stared at Bob with wide eyes. He had a brother? And now…he's dead? Jimmy…Where did I hear that name before….Jimmy…He…He was the one that everyone cheered for that day in March because he…He won a game in football. That's right! But now…he's dead. Wow…Bob kept staring at me. I saw sadness and a hint of anxiety in his eyes. He was waiting for me to say something.
I hesitated, "Um, I'm sorry for what happened to your brother…I can…I can somewhat understand why you did this to me…." I winced before going on. My chest started hurting again.
"Uh, you ok kid?" Bob asked with some concern.
"Yeah, anyways, look. I don't know if I can forgive you right now….Sorry…" I looked away not wanting to see his face. I could sense some sadness in the atmosphere. An awkward silence filled the room. Bob was the first to speak.
I heard him sigh, "I expected this…It's not your fault though. So don't be sorry. You've been through so much…Can't blame ya."
Bob half heartedly smiled at me and looked outside the window besides him. My heart sank to see him like this. Yes, he was the one who hurt my family and I, but seeing him like this….Knowing he's truly sorry….It was sad. Bob suddenly grabbed the door knob and looked back at me.
"It's all right Pony. Maybe one day Pony…Maybe one day…" With that, he left and quietly shut the door behind him.
I understood when he said by 'One day'. Maybe it's true. Maybe one day I'll understand and forgive him. But for right now, I can't.
SODA'S POV
We went to the hospital the next day. The night before, we were all too drunk to visit Pony again, well, almost everyone. Johnny wasn't. Darry drove us all to the hospital. I was so excited to see my little baby brother again! We all walked to his room. Johnny, of course, was the first to enter. Ponyboy was awake. He seemed to be thinking about something serious. His eyes were blank. As if staring at nothing.
"Pony?" I asked concerned.
He suddenly snapped out of it. "Oh, hey guys."
"Kid, were you staring at the wall for fun? Yes, we know it's boring here, but really? Are you so bored, you actually stare at a wall?" Two-bit can be sooooo annoying.
Pony grinned. He shook his head. I rolled my eyes. Oh, Two-bit. Dally took out a cigarette.
"Uh, Dally, it's a hospital. You know the rules." Pony told him watching him light a match. I sort of coughed when Pony said that. Really? Did he just say that to Dally?
Dally looked at him with a cold stare.
"Do you really think I care?" he asked putting it in his mouth.
Pony nodded sighing, taking in the smoke from the cigarette. He started coughing. Then started gasping. Both Darry and I ran to Pony.
"Pony, what's wrong?" I asked worried.
He nodded saying that nothing was wrong. Darry looked at Dally's cigarette. I understood now. I was going to tell Dally to throw it away. But Johnny did it for me.
"Hey Dally, do you…um…mind putting out the cigarette? Please Dally? Pony's really gonna get sick." Johnny stared at his shoes while saying it. Dally looked hard at Johnny, then at Pony, something in his eyes flickered. Softness? No…Dally doesn't have softness…Or does he? Dally went out the room suddenly. I fought back a smile. Dally cared.
"You ok Pony?" Darry asked giving Pony a book.
"Yeah, thanks for the book Darry."
"No problem, little buddy."
Two-bit suddenly stretched out his arms yawning. Steve and I both looked at the clock behind us. Time to go.
"Well, Pony, time for us to go," I told him hugging him carefully. I looked into his eyes and sensed something wrong. What happened?
"Um, yeah, thanks guys for stopping. But, uh, Johnny? Can you stay a bit more?" Pony asked. Johnny nodded.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
Pony shook his head. Darry and Steve were already out of the room. I looked behind me, Pony and Johnny were already talking. Something happened, and I need to know. I'll ask tonight again. Hopefully, it isn't anything bad.
JOHNNY'S POV
I sat next to Pony nervously. What happened this time? He gulped before talking. This is bad….
"Um, Bo-Bob visited me yesterday…After you guys left…."
I quietly gasped. Again? Bob?
"Did he do anything to you?" I suddenly asked jumping up from the bed.
Pony shook his head quickly, "No! No, actually….That's what I wanted to talk about…He came here to…Apologize."
"Oh…" Bob apologizing? Oh, that is bull crap….
"I couldn't forgive him, you know? Because what he did….he didn't need to do this to me….To us, just because his brother…Died. You get me?"
I nodded, "I understand. You're right, he didn't have to do it. You didn't have to forgive him."
Pony sighed and looked out the window, "Maybe one day I'll forgive him…."
We stayed quiet for some time, then started talking about other things. But my mind was still on the Bob situation. Guess I was still worried about that. A nurse came in, she gave Pony some pain medication, then left. I could tell that Pony was getting drowsy after a couple minutes. That was my cue to leave.
"Bye Pony, see you."
"Yeah, bye Johnnycakes…." I left the hospital and went straight to the DX, it was around 6 at night. Only one hour left until they could leave work. When I entered, Soda was at the register talking to some girls. When he saw me, he said his goodbyes to the girls.
Uh-Oh, guess he wanted to talk about something. Usually, he wouldn't run off girls like that.
"Hey Johnny, you ok?" He asked me.
I nodded.
"Um, look Johnny, something's wrong Ponyboy, I know, 'cause he seemed out of it when I saw him….He tells you everything. C'mon Johnny, I know you know, tell me." He looked at me with a pleading look. Oh jeez….
I hesitated, "all right Soda….It's just that…." Some people came in, costumers…Soda grunted, "You know what, tell me at home…See ya Johnny."
I walked out of there. This is just great, how am I gonna tell him?
