The rest of the day progressed about as well as they could have hoped. Dally remained on his best behaviour impressing the hell out of the gang, and the nurses seemed impressed too.
More than a few of them began to realize that perhaps they had misjudged this group of greasers. Sure they were a bit rough around the edges, but the way they loved and looked out for each other was honestly quite remarkable.
One pretty blond came by far more often than necessary to check on Dally's vitals and on her fourth or fifth pass through the room Two-Bit turned on the charm, manoeuvring to get her phone number. The gang watched with amusement as the pair bantered back and forth about the future of their courtship. It broke up the monotony of the hospital scene and the boys felt themselves begin to relax for the first time in two days. All the while the colour continued returning to Dally's pale face, and his fever started to creep down too. Against all odds it seemed like they were finally gonna catch a break.
By the time Dr. Sullivan stopped in during his daily rounds he liked the direction things were heading.
"If this continues, boys, I might consider discharging Mr. Winston in a couple of days."
"Well, that's great, Doc. Whatever we can do to help make that happen, just say the word." Darry's eyes lit up at the thought of this ordeal finally being behind them.
"Well, now that you mention it Mr. Curtis, there are a couple of things I'd like to speak to you about. Perhaps we could go and have a little chat in my office? ..."
Something about the doctor's tone of voice made Darry's skin prickle. His instincts were well honed at this point when it came to bad news and he had a feeling their good day was about to be ruined somehow. Nevertheless, he was glad Dr. Sullivan had suggested a private conversation. Whatever life was about to throw at them next, he wanted to be able to figure it out without having a bunch of upset boys on his hands.
"Sure Doc, lead the way." Darry smiled back at the gang as casually as he could manage and followed Dr. Sullivan out into the hall.
"I need a smoke, man." Dally's voice was groggy with sleep.
"Hey guys, look who's awake again."
It had been 45 minutes since Darry and Dr. Sullivan had gone to have their little chat and Dally had nodded off.
"Hey, Dal. How you feelin?" Soda moved over to sit next to Dally on his bed.
"I feel like I need a smoke, that's how I feel!" Dally had woken up grumpy and his tone of voice and volume matched his mood perfectly.
"Nah. You don't need a smoke Dal." Soda continued. "In fact, you should quit. Been a couple days since you had a cancer stick and it hasn't killed you, has it? Maybe if you quit we can get Ponyboy here to quit too." Soda grinned his famous movie star grin and something inside Dally wanted to wipe it clean off his face. That kid said everything just a little too cheerfully sometimes.
A sneer crept across Dally's lips.
"Sodapop Curtis, there ain't nothin' in this world that's gonna make me quit Kools."
"Oh yeah? Well, what if tomorrow some tobacco eating weevil comes along and eats up every - single - last - Kool on the planet. What then, huh?"
"That's a sad story, Sodapop."
"It's a tragedy. But, would you stop smoking?"
Dally scoffed. "Not on your life, Curtis. I'd just find myself a new brand. And don't go giving me that look either. I ain't gonna quit smoking, man. What would people think? What would the broads think? I look too good doin' it and I got a reputation to protect." Dally scowled as he said it, then smirked up at his friend.
Soda was quiet for a second, then burst out laughing at the absurdity of their whole conversation. Soon the other boys joined in. It sure felt good to have the real Dally back.
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