Jackson Wesley walked into my infirmary room with his toolbox in his hand. The two of us exchanged glances of conspiracy as Nurse Kelly finished changing my pillowcases and headed back to the nurses station with the dirty laundry.
"I didn't have much to fix, so I thought I'd come back and check on that drain to be sure it was still draining well." Jackson said loud enough that he almost made his comment sound suspicious. Then he looked to me and raised his brown eyebrows a couple times to signify he was being sneaky and not planning on checking the drain.
I giggled and hushed him. "Jackson, what are you doing? You're going to get us caught."
Jackson sat on the edge of my bed and opened up his metal toolbox. "Look whose talking!" He chuckled back. "You know, stealing your mail is sure to get me in just as much trouble as you getting caught with it."
"I know, but without these letters I probably would have died of loneliness in here. You have no idea how long two weeks can be when you are in Nurse Kelly's sterile environment." I said and jumped out of my bed. I walked over to the white metal linen wardrobe, removed the blue stationary box from the shelf, and placed it on the edge of the sink. Quickly, I pulled out the letters I had written, addressed, and stamped. I turned around to give them to Jackson and I ran right into his solid body. The two of us stood chest-to-chest and laugh quietly.
"I'm sorry," he said with a wide grin that showed his high cheekbones. "I didn't know you were going to turn around so fast."
I lifted the letters in my hand and squeezed them up between my new friend and myself. "I don't want to get caught! I'm almost out of here you know."
"So I hear!" Jackson confirmed my statement and then took my letters and hid them in the bottom of his toolbox.
I walked to my bedside and peeked under my pillow where Jackson and I agreed he would put my mail when he brought it by from time to time. There were a few letters waiting there for me. "Nurse Kelly said she was going to talk to Mr. Donaldsen and maybe get me out of here come dinner time."
"That's good, because you received another package, and it's big."
My eyes widened. "That's the third one! I can't wait to find out who they are from."
"Well, when you get your room assigned I will personally deliver each and every box to you." Jackson said and closed the lid to his toolbox.
I pulled my nightgown up a few inches and climbed up onto my bed next to the toolbox. "Jackson, thank you so much for being my friend here. You are such a sweetheart!" I put my arms out and invited the boy in for a hug. He leaned towards me, kissed my cheek and hugged me. By chance, I took in a deep breath and the musky smell of his cologne made my head swirl for just a second. A second after that, the two of us realized we hadn't let go of each other then we did so immediately. I smiled and commented, "Geez, a hug like that would have really gotten the two of us in trouble with Nurse Kelly."
"I hear you." Jackson said, as his face grew flush. Taking a short deep breath, he continued, "Once you get busy with classes and your roommates I won't be seeing you as much, so you take care. Okay?"
I smiled at the young man and climbed back into my sheets. "I will, and I'll be seeing you around. I won't forget about you."
"I don't want to hear tomorrow that you are still here. You dig that?"
"I dig it!"
Jackson hoisted his toolbox off my bed and disappeared around the stark white curtain. I stared at the spot in the room where he had just left, and noticed that my heart was beating a little bit faster than it normally did. Inside, my tummy fluttered from the attention the boy had given me. He had been my knight in shinning armor for so many days that it was hard to imagine he wouldn't be able to stop by to see me in my dorm. In a way, leaving the infirmary meant loosing a friend, but I was hoping to make new ones soon. I reached under my pillow and pulled out the letters. There was one from Sodapop and one from Ponyboy.
I decided to read Ponyboy's letter first. It was only the fourth one I had received from him and at last read he wasn't doing too well. Barrington Boys home had made him wash his hair and cut it short. He said he was so clean cut that if he showed up in our neighborhood with khaki pants and a madras jacket someone would have beat him up for being a Soc. I wrote him back telling him I think his short hair and khaki's would look nice on him. He was a sweet boy and dressing like a dirty old greaser wasn't the right look for him. I was sure he'd argue that with me. I pulled out the pages and opened them up.
Hey Sissy,
I hope by the time you get this letter you are out of that infirmary. It isn't fair that you have to be alone for so long. Have your bruises gone away? I haven't heard from Sodapop in a few days. He said in his last letter that they haven't found James. I bet he cut out to another state or something. Wherever he is, I sure hope they find him and punish him good. If they don't, I just might.
I know you only get your mail by secret delivery, so I am wondering if you had gotten Sodapop's letter a few days ago about Darry. When I heard they were going to let him wake from his coma soon, I started to bawl. Then guys around me started picking fun at me, so I ran to the bathroom to be alone. I am hoping once he wakes up Darry will get better fast and we can come home. I know that's a lot to wish for since he hasn't even gotten out of his hospital bed yet, but I can dream. Right?
I got a package from Mr. Ottavi a few days ago with all of my clothes from the laundry mat inside. Kathryn sent along a tin full of chocolate chip cookies. They tasted like heaven. I was sure to eat them all up as fast as I could. If I hadn't one of the guys in my room probably would have. I told you I have three roommates, two small bunk beds and one little room. Didn't I? I hate it. One thing is for sure, after being here, I am never joining the Army!
That sure is something about Casey and Sodapop living together. I mean I know she is just renting a room and all, but I would have never guessed it the way he was so upset over her two timing him. Soda is sure not like any other guy in this world. He is crazy! I wish I could be a little more like him sometimes. It would sure come in handy around here. I actually think he would like living in a boy's home. They don't care if you do well in school, they feed you three times a day, you can work in one of their shops to make a little money, and they have a ping-pong table and color TV. He wouldn't argue with that. Hell, I bet he and Two-Bit would find it real swell here. I think if I didn't have anyone waiting around for me, it could be okay. It isn't though. I miss everyone.
I haven't made many new friends since I wrote you last. Just Gus and Tommy so far. As far as pals go, they aren't too bad. Gus is awfully chubby, and he likes the attention he gets when the other kids pick on him, so they're mean to him all day long. Did I tell you he heard a rumor that his dad is getting out of prison soon? Gus isn't too excited, considering the last time his dad got out of prison he robbed a store the very next day. Gus figures his dad isn't going to even come and get him from Barrington. Sounds a little like what Johhny's dad wouldn't have done to him.
Tommy is the tough guy here and my roommate. He is a tall, lean, mean, son of a gun. I'm a glad he is my roommate and he likes me, or I'd have been scared to death of him. He's kind of like Dally. You like that he likes you because if he didn't you know you'd be in a lot of trouble. I sure to miss those two… Johnny and Dally that is. I hope you and your roommate get a long great when you finally get one. If she doesn't like you at first, just offer to do her homework. That's how Tommy and I became such good friends right away. He's so dumb he makes Soda look like a…
I was so wrapped up in my letter I didn't hear the approaching footsteps until it was too late to stash the evidence. I looked up just in time to see Mr. Donaldsen come around the edge of the curtain with Nurse Kelly behind him. I looked at them, then at the letter, and then I stuffed the pages underneath my sheets and hoped they wouldn't question what they were or where they came from.
"Studying hard I see!" Mr. Donaldsen bellowed. "That is good. I was reviewing the student reports this morning and noticed that you are leading the school with all perfect scores, phenomenal!"
Trying to extract the guilty look on my face I smiled and graciously accepted the compliment. "Thank you, Sir." I kept to myself my opinion that the honors courses at Ashford were hardly challenging for me.
Mr. Donaldsen then took a stricter tone, "As you know, Scout, correspondence with others while you are in the infirmary is strictly prohibited."
My stomach dropped and a frown fell on my face. I thought for sure I was headed for expulsion and Jackson was going to lose his job. Before I could open my mouth to offer an explanation Nurse Kelly spoke up with a wide smile.
"But, considering the circumstances, both Mr. Donaldsen and I are in agreement it would be best for you to hear this news as soon as possible."
Mr. Donaldsen stepped towards me and handed me a small yellow card. I took the heavy paper and read the outside, Northwestern Bell Telegram. I flipped open the card and noticed it was from Mr. Ottavi. I looked below his name and read the type.
James Young was arrested at 2:07pm this afternoon outside of Tulsa High School. He is being held on bond of $5,000. You can rest easy.
Mr. Ottavi.
Inside, my heart almost skipped a beat because of my excitement. I was so relieved that everyone I loved would be safe from that horrible boy. I looked up at the two adults who were looking back at me. I beamed with relief. "This is amazing news!"
"We thought you would like to know that as soon as possible," Mr. Donaldsen said, "and there is more good news. Nurse Kelly tells me you will be ready to go to your dorm this evening. After you will be released from the infirmary, and I will personally take you to your new home in Covington House here at Ashford Academy."
"Covington girls are the finest here at the Academy. They are all cut from the most excellent cloth. You should appreciate Mr. Donaldsen's gesture to allow you into Covington House," Nurse Kelly bragged. "It really is a privilege for you."
"That's right." Mr. Donaldsen boasted. "Covington House ladies are the most sought after debutants in all of Oklahoma! With your intellect and beauty you should be a good fit there."
"Thank you, Sir." That was all I could think to say. I began to worry that if the girls at Covington House were the wealthiest in all of Oklahoma I didn't figure a poor gal from the north side of Tulsa would be a good fit at all.
"Carry on with your studies. We will see you after dinner." Mr. Donaldsen said and then ushered Nurse Kelly from my area. I looked at the telegram once more and hoped Sodapop, the gang, and Owen had all heard the news. I planned to write Ponyboy and tell him the good news as soon as I moved into my new room. I let a grin of happiness cross my face, and I returned to Ponyboy's letter.
… rocket scientist!
Well, I don't have much more to say and the dinner bell just rang so I have to go soon. I'm sure you will ace that test on the book The Grapes of Wrath. If you don't I'll probably die of shock. I'm glad to hear you are writing to Darry. I hadn't thought about doing that because he was asleep and all. I actually wrote a short letter to him right before I wrote to you. I am going to send it in Sodapop's envelope.
I received another letter from Owen. He didn't have a whole lot to say. Just that he misses us both. I am sure he misses you more than me. He also said the track coach talked to him the other day and told him to tell me 'hi'. That was cool to hear the coach was thinking about me, who'd figure. Another bad part of Barrington is that they sell you smokes really cheap and I've been going through almost a pack a day. I was kind of hoping that being here would help me kick that habit, but no such luck.
Take care, I love and miss you.
Ponyboy
As with every letter, I read it more than once, but I didn't cry. I hadn't cried over letters from home for a few days. I figured that was because I was adjusting to my new life. That was a talent I had perfected, adjusting to something I didn't want to be a part of. I stuffed Ponyboy's letter under my pillow and pulled out the second one. Immediately, I noticed Sodapop's handwriting seemed rushed. Before I read the script I worried that something tragic had happened.
Sissy,
I just got back from the hospital and I have great news!
Great news? I hadn't heard that from home in a long time. I read on.
I went to the hospital after work and found out Darry is awake! Kathryn was there and she had just talked to the doctors and they said he is gonna to be fine! He is leavin the intensve care unit today! Isnt that great news? I know you know it is. I just wish I was there to see you when you read that.
Today? I grabbed the envelope and flipped it over to read the postmark. The letter left Tulsa two days ago. I was so excited by the news that I kicked my feet and giggled softly in my bed before I read on.
He is very week and he can barely speek but Kathryn said the first thing he did was ask about you. He was so worried that you were dead. He had remembered everything that had happened, he said he even remembered dreaming of you getting killed. Kathyrn said when she told him you were fine he was so releeved that he laid there and bawled. They didn't tell him nothin after that till I got there. The docs let me tell him about what happened and where you and Ponyboy were and he got real sad again. I told him you two were happy where you were and things were real well. Then I read your letters to him. He liked hearing them. He made me read them more than once. I did even though I dont like reading too much. When I left the hospital for the night he made me put the letters from you and Ponyboy where he could reach them.
You should see him Scout. He dont look so good. He is real pale and he lost a lot of weight.
Steve, Two-bit and Kathryn have helped out a lot at the hospital the same way they helped out when you were in the hospital. I aint told him about Casey living at our house. Kathryn says thats a good choice. He does not need no more worries then he already has. Things have been fine with Casey. Her and I dont mess around. She pays ten dollars a week in rent and does nearly all the cleaning. Shes real sorry about all the trouble she caused and she and me talked a long time one night about everything even bout how I think I still love Sandy and we feel better. I hope you feel better about it all too. I really want you to.
I am sorry this letter is short. I need to write to Ponyboy and get this letter in the mail soon. Darry wants me to tell you that he loves you. I love you too.
Miss you lots and lots.
Sodapop Curtis
I read the news again. Darry is awake and talking. I got so excited I couldn't sit still. I jumped off my bed and danced and cheered, completely forgetting that I was required to be in my bed and quiet. I hushed up just long enough to hear Nurse Kelly racing to see what I was doing. Quickly, I reached down and threw my blankets over the letters. I turned around in time to see Nurse Kelly standing before me with surprise on her face.
"What is going on back here?"
"Nothing." I thought quickly for an excuse. "I was just celebrating that they had finally arrested that boy." I stared at Nurse Kelly and she stared back at me. Then she crossed her arms across her chest.
"Get your shower things together. I want you to bathe and dress before you are discharged." Nurse Kelly turned and walked away. I folded up the letters and hid them in the satin lining of my suitcases before gathering my shower tote and heading to the washroom.