Chapter 36
Darry couldn't believe how fast the day was going by, and just as Mr. Day had expected they were just finishing up on the job site as he heard the town bell ring two dongs. Two o'clock, he needed to get going or else they would be late, which he never got anyway, because he had never been to a doctor's appointment where he was actually taken in on time. Darry started loading up his truck when Mr. Day approached. "Curtis, I hope that things go well at the doctor's for your sister."
"Thank you, Sir. Hopefully it's nothing more than a routine checkup." Darry placed his tool belt in the back knowing the front would be crowded enough with both Sodapop and Sara. "And thanks again for letting me off early. I really do appreciate it. And I want you to know that I really did try to get a later appointment so I wouldn't have to miss any work."
Mr. Day placed his hand on Darry's shoulder and leaned in so that their conversation could only be heard between the two of them. "I know that Darry. That's why I'm letting you know that I'm keeping you on the clock today until five. But this needs to stay just between the two of us." Mr. Day smiled as he slapped Darry's shoulder.
"Mr. Day, that's more than generous. I can make up the hours though. I'll work extra on Saturday or even Sunday if you want. Plus I can come in early any morning this week. I just can't stay late. Let me know what you need or want."
"Darry, just take it. You're my best worker, my hardest worker, and my most honest worker. So in return I'm giving you this. I know that if I need you for any extra time I'll get it. So get out of here, before you're late for that appointment." Mr. Day opened Darry's door for him and watched as Darry jumped in.
"Thanks again, Mr. Day. I really.."
"I know, you really appreciate it." Mr. Day mimicked Darry's words. "You've already said that ten times now Darry." Mr. Day gently shut his door as Darry placed his arm out the window. "Say hi to the kids for me, especially little Sara. You'll need to bring her by soon so I can see her. It's been awhile."
"Will do, Sir. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Bye now." Darry couldn't help the big smile that was plastered to his face. For once things actually played out in his favor. He was still smiling as he pulled into the DX. He honked the horn to get Sodapop's attention. As promised, Steve had shown up to finish covering for Soda's shift. Darry watched Steve slam down the hood of a late model Ford pickup truck he and Soda had just finished working on. Steve waved to Darry and hollered out to Sodapop that Darry was here. Not a minute later Soda was running out to the truck, he hopped on up and noticed the huge grin that was still on Darry's face.
"What's got you looking so happy? It can't possibly be taking Sara to the doctor's." Soda pointed out.
"Nope, it's just today is my lucky day, that's all."
"Lucky in like you got lucky?" Soda couldn't resist himself as Darry threw a punch at his brother.
"Jesus,No, Soda!" Hollered Darry in a bit of embarrassment, but was quick to add, "Damn it Sodapop, you need to get your head out of the gutter. Sometimes I swear you can be so mature on one hand and then on the other you're just like a typical sixteen year old boy." Even though Darry was scolding a bit, he still had a small grin on his face.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. So if it isn't that than what is it?" Soda asked still looking at his big brother.
"Mr. Day is giving me the rest of the day off." Darry paused trying to make it a little more dramatic. "With pay!"
"That's great, Dar. Wow! See all that worrying you did last night was for nothing. Because Steve didn't punch in and kept me in so it's a win, win!" Now Sodapop was sharing the same grin as Darry. He stayed quiet for a minute before turning to his big brother and adding his smart ass remark. "Well, I guess that's as good as getting lucky then, huh?" Darry threw another punched at his brother but let out a boisterous laugh at the same time.
"I swear, Sodapop." The two laughed and chatted all the way to Sara's school. But as Darry pulled in to a parking spot his laughter and smile soon disappeared. Darry took a deep breath and slowly released it. "The last time I came to pick Sara up unannounced it became the worst day of our lives." Darry couldn't help but remember the day that his parents had passed away, and it was all flashing before his eyes as he sat in almost the same parking spot as he did on that day.
"Do you want me to come in with you?" Soda asked also remembering that very day oh so well.
"Nah, seeing the two of us unannounced will just really get her riled up. At least let me get her out to the truck before she starts having a meltdown about this."
"Yeah, you're probably right about that." Soda agreed. Darry started to get out of the truck before Soda couldn't help himself. "Are ya still feeling lucky? Cause I think you'll need it with this one." Darry slammed the door shut and just shook his head at his brother. He found himself speed walking towards the main office. He didn't know why but he just wanted to hurry up and get this over with. Darry waltzed into the main office and was immediately met by the secretaries.
"Well, if it isn't Darrel Curtis. How have you been Dear?" Mrs. Vance asked from behind her desk.
"Just fine, thanks." Darry tried being polite even though he was really in no mood to make conversation on how he was doing.
"And what has brought you to school on this fine day?" Mrs. Vance asked with her cheery voice.
"I need to grab Sara for a doctor's appointment." Darry said fidgeting a little with the pen that was on the counter in front of him.
"Does she know you're picking her up?" Mrs. Vance asked moving away from her desk and over to the counter where Darry was standing.
"No." Darry replied.
"Alright then, just sign her out here, and I'll call down to have her dismissed." Mrs. Vance moved over to the intercom system where she buzzed Ms. Martin. "Ms. Martin? Sara Curtis needs to be dismissed for the afternoon; her brother is here waiting."
"Can you please send him down to our room? Sara is next door watching a puppet show." The minute that Darry heard Ms. Martin request his presence at the classroom he knew that this was definitely not going in the right direction. He rubbed at his forehead where he felt a slight headache forming. He almost didn't realize when Mrs. Vance strolled back over to the counter and started speaking.
"I'm sure you still remember your way around the school right?" Darry shook his head yes. "Room 24 then." Darry moved through the halls towards room 24. He couldn't believe how quiet the school was for being almost 2:30 in the afternoon. As he walked down the hall he was looking at all the colorful bulletin boards and art work that hung on the wall, he wondered if any of it belonged to Sara. Darry arrived a lot quicker than he expected to Sara's classroom. Just as he rounded the corner he bumped right into Ms. Martin. He had only meet her twice before, once, at their parent's funeral and second for a parent/ teacher conference back in March. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you." Darry was quick to apologize.
"It's no problem. I was just checking to see if our aid was coming back with Sara yet. I wasn't aware that she was leaving early today. I hope that everything is alright." Ms. Martin said sweetly.
"Yes, everything is fine. She has a doctor's appointment." Darry tried to explain.
"Huh, she didn't mention anything about. Usually children talk nonstop about getting picked up early for appointments or such."
"That's because she doesn't know. She really isn't too fond of the doctor's. I didn't want her wasting the day worrying about it and all."
"That was very thoughtful of you Mr. Curtis." Ms. Martin added while pushing her curly blonde hair behind her ear.
"Please, just call me Darry. When people call me Mr. Curtis I'm always looking over my shoulder thinking my father is standing behind me or something." Ms. Martin blushed a bit and gave Darry a slight smile.
"Ok, Darry it is then." Ms. Martin and Darry stood in an awkward silence for a few seconds before Ms. Martin couldn't resist. "Will I be seeing you at the Father-Daughter dance on Friday? I know that all the girls are looking forward to it. Matter of fact I've heard a lot of talk about it, but I have to say Sara has been very quiet about it all."
Now it was Darry's turn to blush, which was unusual for him. "Ummm, no, I don't think you'll be seeing me. My brother Sodapop plans on taking her instead though." Darry started feeling a little uncomfortable and swiveled his head looking around for Sara. He needed to get away from Ms. Martin, this school, this conversation and this feeling that was building in the pit of his stomach. He didn't like the uncomfortableness of it all.
"Yes, she does like to talk about that Sodapop. I would really enjoy meeting this brother someday. By the way she talks about him; you'd think he was some super hero or something. It's always Sodapop this, or Sodapop that. I guess I'll have my chance to meet him Friday." Darry couldn't help but choke on the words super hero, and Sodapop this and Sodapop that. He tried to cover his cough up by lifting his arm up to his mouth.
"Yeah, I'm not so sure about the super hero part, but they are close, those two are." Darry said between coughs. He was so relieved when he heard footsteps coming up from behind him, but when he turned around he caught Sara's face. It had horror written all over it, just like that say six months agao. He was waiting for her to say something but when the aid approached with her nothing was said just that same look of horror.
"Darry?" She asked. But Ms. Martin jumped in before Darry could respond.
"Sara, why don't you go get your things together. Your brother has been waiting very patiently for you."
"Yes, Ma'am." Darry was happy to see that even though Sara seemed shocked to see him there, she was still using her manners and was being polite.
"Sorry for any inconvenience this might of caused you Ms. Martin." Darry said also trying to remember his manners as well.
"Not at all Mister, I mean Darry." Sara was quick with gathering her things and as she approached she had her jacket and lunch box in one hand and her book bag in the other. Darry rushed in and took the items from her.
"Thank you Ms. Martin. It was nice talking with ya." Darry said fumbling with trying to get Sara's lunchbox into her book bag.
"You to, Darry. Have a good afternoon. See you tomorrow Sara." Ms. Martin waved and Sara waved back but not before Darry nudged her with his elbow and cocked his head in Ms. Martin's directions.
"Thanks Ms. Martin. See ya tomorrow." Darry was satisfied with that and put Sara's book bag over his shoulder and placed his hand on her back as he guided her down the hall. Sara knew better than to start in with all her questions until they were out the school doors. And the instant Darry pushed open the door, Sara started right in. "Darry, why are you picking me up early? Is something wrong? What's going on? Did something happen to someone? Why are you off work early?"
"Slow down there. Nothing's wrong, nothing has happened to anyone." He said as the two descended the stairs to the parking lot.
Sara didn't even give Darry time to finish before she started in again. "I don't believe you. You never come and pick me up early. You've only done this one other time and that was when…" Sara's voice trailed off when she noticed that Sodapop was sitting in the truck. "Soda!" Sara's voice startled Soda out of his daze and he pushed the truck's door open so that she could get in but instead of getting in she threw her arms around his legs. "Please no, Soda. Say it's not true! Please?"
"You told her already?" Soda looked up to his brother will surprise as Darry moved in front of the truck to the driver's side. Soda thought that the plan was to just drive her there and not say anything until they pulled into the parking lot.
"No, I didn't tell her anything. She's overacting and jumping to conclusion. She thinks something bad has happened because we're picking her up early." Darry tossed Sara's book bag into the cab and started climbing in. "C'mon you two, get in before we're late."
Soda rubbed at the back on Sara's head to try to calm her down some. "Sara, nothing bad has happened. We just have to go somewhere that's all. Come get into the truck."
"Really? Promise me?" Sara begged.
"I promise, Sara. Now would you just get on in?" Soda pleaded with his sister.
"Pinky swear?" Sara was holding up her baby finger for Soda to swear on.
"Sara Marie, would you just get in the truck, we're gonna be late." Darry hollered through the cab. Sara could tell that Darry was losing his patience and fast, so she scurried past Soda who whispered down in her ear.
"I pinky swear." Sara flashed him a smile and slid in next to Darry. Just as fast as Soda jumped up Darry was backing out of the parking space towards the doctor's office. Darry was being pretty quiet just anticipating another struggle from Sara, but Sara on the other hand was being a motor mouth.
"Where we goin'? Is it someplace fun?" Sara asked her brothers while watching out the windshield trying to figure out where Darry was driving to. Soda passed a glance over Sara's head towards Darry looking for some help when Darry only responded with a grunt. Soda let out a sigh knowing he was left to answer Sara's questions.
"I wouldn't exactly call it fun." Soda drawled.
"Have I been there before?" Sara continued with her twenty questions game.
"Yup, you've been there before." Soda said while tapping along with the beat of the music on the dashboard.
"Lots of times?" She pressed on.
"Yes Sara, lots of times." Sodapop was now starting to get annoyed with all of the questions and wished that Darry would help out here soon.
"Do I like where we're going?" Sara asked fidgeting with her headband she had on.
"Sara, just stop with all the questions! You'll know soon enough." Darry finally couldn't stand it anymore. Sara could tell by the irritation in Darry's voice so she stopped asking and just watched. As they turned onto Puckett Street, Sara started putting everything together. All the answers from Soda and the picking her up early and not telling her, yes she knew now where they were headed. Darry started to slow down to make the turn into the parking lot behind the doctor's office, and the second Darry put his blinker on, it confirmed Sara's speculation.
"No! No! No! Darry please, no!" Sara's voice started to crack as she pleaded with Darry. "I don't need to go in there. Darry, I'm better now. Please?" She swirled around and grabbed a hold of Sodapop's arm looking for backup. "Please Soda? Don't make me go in there. Please? I'm better now. You know that. I've been sleeping better, and eating better and I'm not scared any more to be alone. Please Soda? Don't make me go in there." All Soda could do was give Sara a sympathetic look. He knew that this needed to be done.
"Sorry, Babygirl, you need a checkup. There's nothing to be afraid of. Darry and I are right here. We both are gonna go in with you. It's just a checkup, no shots or anything like that."
"I'm not going in. You can't make me." She cried, while throwing herself into Sodapop's lap. "Please Soda. I'll be a good girl. I won't bother you or complain or anything. Just don't make me go in there." Sara now had crocodile tears streaming down her face while trying to plead her case. Darry had pushed the gear of the truck into park and was taking the keys out of the ignition when he turned to Sara and Sodapop.
"Sara, if you're a good girl and do this for us without putting up anymore fight, then I'll treat you to an ice cream." Darry had now reached over and was softly rubbing Sara's back, hoping that the two could come to a compromise.
"I hate the doctor's. You know that. Why didn't you tell me before hand? That was real mean." Sara sputtered out.
"We didn't tell you because we knew you were going to act like this." Darry's eyes meet Soda's and he silently sent him a message of "please help out here."
"Sara, let's just go in and get this over with. All Dr. Robinson is gonna do is look in your eyes, ears, and mouth. He might test your reflexes, look at your height and weight, ask a few questions and that's it. You can do that right?" When Sara didn't reply Soda added, "Plus Darry and I'll be standing right beside you the whole time. You can even hold our hand if you want."
Sara slowly picked her head up and swiped at her tears. "That's it? No poking? No needles? No awful medicine to have to take?"
Darry couldn't resist his chuckle, "No, Sara, we've already told you, none of those for ya today. Now let's get in there. I need to fill out some paperwork." Sodapop gently pushed Sara up so that he could get out of the truck. Both him and Darry had opened their doors and were started to get out when they both noticed that Sara wasn't budging from her spot. "Sara, c'mon now." Darry requested, but it was Soda's gesture that caught Sara's attention. Sodapop had reached back in with his hand to hold it out for her to take. Sara placed her tiny hand into his and let Soda help her down from the truck. Once she was down she didn't pull her hand away, instead she tighten her grip around Soda's. Soda returned the squeeze and gave her a reassuring smile and the three walked from the back parking lot to the sidewalk out along Puckett Street. Even though Sara was trying to drag her feet, Soda had her hand and kept her moving at Darry's pace. They strolled down the sidewalk for about 500 feet passing by Peter's Bookstore, and Consider it New Consignment Shop. The next building was that of her doctor's. Darry was holding the door open and waiting for Soda and Sara to enter. He tried to give Sara a smile as she walked through but her head was still down staring at her shoes. Sodapop lead her into the waiting room that was deathly silent as usual. Darry motioned for them to take a seat. Sara sat down and instantly started swinging her legs back and forth. She folded her hands in her lap and her eyes were drawn to the beautiful color of fish in the tank across the room. Sara and Soda could hear the receptionist talking with Darry and informing him of the paperwork that needed to be filled out. Darry took the clipboard from the young lady and moved back over on the other side of Sara. "Damn friggin' paperwork. It's not like anything has changed since we were here a few months ago." He mumbled.
"Give it to me, I'll do it." Soda reached behind Sara to take the clipboard from him.
"Get outta here. I'll fill it out. Knowing you, you'd just make stuff up." Sara continued to swing her legs, picking up the pace a bit, but now she was ringing her hands that were in her lap. Both Darry and Sodapop noticed, but it was Darry who reached over and gently place his big calloused hands over hers. "Stop fidgeting Sara."
"Sorry." She replied softly. She then slipped her hands under her legs so that she wouldn't continue to ring them, and as for her legs, she wrapped her ankles around each other and sat stiffly. Darry had just gotten the new paperwork filled out when a young nurse came out calling Sara's name. Sara waited for Darry and Soda to get up first then she managed to pull herself up as well and follow behind everyone. The nurse started to make small talk with Sara and her brothers but Sara allowed her brothers to do most of the answering and talking. The nurse took some vital signs on Sara, like her temperature which was normal at 98.8 and then her blood pressure which was 112 over 77. Heart rate was 180, a little high, but that was probably because she was nervous. Her height was next at 41 inches and a quarter, and her weight was 40 pounds.
"Not bad Sara. Let's get you into a room." The nurse opened the door to a small exam room and patted the table for Sara to get up on. Sara was glued to Sodapop's back side though. She really didn't want to be up on the table until she absolutely had to. Darry nodded his head towards Sodapop as to tell him to get her up on the table without a scene. Sodapop picked Sara up under her armpits and sat her down on the table; he placed his hands on her shoulders to give her a bit of comfort while they waited. The nurse wasn't quit finished yet though. "So, Mr. Curtis."
"Darry." He corrected to the cute little nurse. Gosh, twice in one day he thought.
"Darry, so what is the main concern for bring Sara to us today?"
"Just for a checkup, nothing more."
"Alright then. Dr. Robinson should be in in just a few. Sara, it was good to see you." The nurse rubbed Sara's arm real quick and closed the door on her way out.
"You're doing real good Kiddo. Just a few more minutes and we'll be outta here. See it wasn't anything worth getting all wound up about." Soda offered up some comforting words as he continued to rub her shoulders.
"Easy for you to say." Sara sputtered.
"Now, Sara, you best watch yourself. No need to get sassy. Sodapop is just trying to help." Darry warned in a low tone while moving closer to her.
Sara hung her head. "I'm sorry Sodapop; I didn't mean to sass you."
"Ah, it's ok Sara. I know you didn't" The three were just finishing up with their conversation when they heard Dr. Robinson knock on the door and walked in. Dr. Robinson was an older gentleman in his early sixties who had been seeing all the Curtis siblings since they were nearly a week old.
"Well, what do we have here? If it isn't the Curtis clan? Though we seem to be missing one, Ponyboy?"
"Hi Doc." Darry reached out to shake hands with Doctor Robinson.
"Darry, how have you been?" Dr. Robinson asked after releasing his hand from a firm shake.
"Fine, just fine. You?"
"Still thinking about retiring, but I just can't seem to do it yet." He smiled and moved over to the table to see Sara, "Plus if I retire I wouldn't be able to see this little lady grow up, now would I?"
"Hi Dr. Robinson." Sara managed to get out without Darry or Soda having to poke or nudge her to do so.
"Sara, I swear you're growing faster than a weed. At this rate you'll be taller that your big brother here. What's he been feeding you anyways?" Dr. Robinson looked down at her chart and noticed her weight, which was a tad bit on the low side for a girl her age. "Or hasn't been feeding you?" Dr. Robinson drew up an eyebrow in Darry's direction. "Darry, she's actually down 5 pounds since seeing her back in March. That's a little unusual for a child her age."
"Yeah, that's kind of why we're here today, along with some other stuff. I wrote it down on the other page there." Darry motioned to a piece of paper that was attached to Dr. Robinson's clipboard. He quickly skimmed over it and nodded his head, as to confirm Darry's concern.
"I see, well, let's take a look here, shall we?" Dr. Robinson moved closer to Sara. "How is school going Sara?"
"Fine."
He was trying to distract Sara while he leaned in with his stethoscope to listen to her heart and lungs. "Take a deep breath." The room got quiet with the exception of Sara's exhaling breath. "Good, how about another?" Sara complied with the request. "Sara, are you nervous?"
Sara's answer was almost inaudible. "Kind of."
"That's what I thought, your heart rate my Dear is a little faster than I would like it to be right now." Dr. Robinson stepped away to grab some more medical devices. "Know Sara, we've known each other since you were a little itty bitty things. There's no reason to be nervous." Sara placed a fake smile on her face as Dr. Robinson turned towards her. "Now, let's take a look in your ears." Dr. Robinson checked one ear and knew just how to relax Sara. "Oh dear, Sara, we have a problem, there's ladybugs in your ears." Sara let a small smile tug at her lips. "Not just one, but many." Sodopop started laughing which then got Sara giggling a bit. Dr. Robinson flashed Darry a reassuring smile and moved to the other ear. "And this ear has butterflies. Look Darry, can't you see them." Darry played along with Dr. Robinson and moved in to pretend to take a peak.
"I don't know about butterflies, more like honey bees with all that wax in there." Darry joked with Dr. Robinson. "We'll need to get those cleaned up tonight after your tub."
"Jeez, Darry, I think you should consider going to med school. You would make a great pediatrician."
"Nah, that's alright, I think I have my hands full with the kids I have at home never mind making it my profession."
"Just a suggestion. I would be more than willing to help get you connected." Dr. Robinson said picking up another funny looking device and began shining it into Sara's eyes. "Sara, can you look at that chart on the wall and read out the lowest line of letters that you can see."
Sara took a deep breath and looked straight ahead at the chart that had 11 lines on it. "D,E,F, D.. I mean P, O." Sara was taking a very long time studying the letters and was stuttering over some of them, which caused Darry and Sodapop to share a look of concern. "F, I mean T, E, O.. no, C."
Dr. Robinson let out a "hummm." He looked back into Sara's eyes again. "Sara, that was line 8, can you read 9. See where it says 9?" Sara shook her head up and down.
"T, D, P,O, D.. I mean P, O, F."
"Are you sure Sara?" Dr. Robinson asked again. Sara shook her head. "Try again, Dear. Line 9." Dr. Robinson walked over and pointed to the line just to make sure Sara knew. "T, D, P?" Sara stopped and lifted her head over to look at Soda. Soda noticed the layer of water that was starting to form.
"It's ok, Sara." He said rubbing her shoulder.
"Sara, can you clearly see line 9?" Dr. Robinson knew that there might be a problem here for line 9 read as follows: L, E, F, O,D,P,C,T. And Sara was way off. "Sara?" He asked again.
"Sara, it's ok, if you can't read them. No one is gonna be upset with you. Now, answer Dr. Robinson." Soda whispered.
"I can't see them all. They're blurry." Dr. Robinson covered up one eye and said "is this better?"
"A little."
"Read line 9 again for me."
"L,E,P,C,P."
"Ok, that's enough Sara." Dr. Robinson covered the other eye. "How about now? Read line 9?"
Sara hiccupped a little trying to keep the sobs from coming. "I can't see them, Sir. It's just black mush."
"It's alright. You've done good." Dr. Robinson made some notes and then moved onto looking in her mouth. "Say Ah?"
"AHHHHH."
"Good. Good. Now let's test your reflexes. I'm just gonna take this rubber mallet and tap your knee caps. It won't hurt a bit." Sara tensed some not believing Dr. Robinson. "Wow, did you see that boys? This girl got some real good reflexes!"
"Imagine that." Darry responded while shoving his hands deep into his front pockets.
"So now that we've gotten the typical checkup out of the way, let's get down to the nitty gritty here." All of a sudden Dr. Robinson soothing, calm voice became a bit more harden. He waltzed over and sat down on the stool that was next to the exam table. He took a seat and gentle placed his soft and polished hands on Sara's knees. Sara immediately dipped her head down so that she wasn't making eye contact with anyone and was looking at the shiny tiled floor of the exam room. "Sara." Dr. Robinson said lifting her chin up. "Sara, we need to talk about what is causing you to eat and sleep less." Sara was quiet and just searched Dr. Robinson's eyes debating on what to say. "Sara, I'm waiting. The sooner we discuss this the sooner you're free to leave here, so what's it going to be?" Sara sat still looking into Dr. Robinson's kind face, though he was aging he had very few wrinkles and his pale blue eyes still were compassionate and caring. As Sara was sitting there thinking about this she felt a pointy elbow hit her back. She turned quick to see that Sodapop was scrowling over at her. What Sara was thinking and what came out of her mouth was not what Dr. Robinson was expecting in the least.
"I can't talk to you."
"That doesn't sound like the Sara Curtis that I know." Dr. Robinson said in an authoritarian voice. "Just why can't you talk to me?"
"Because you'll tell Mrs. Roberts and then Mrs. Roberts will take me away." Dr. Robinson eyes wondered over to meet those of Darry's and everyone in the room could tell that Darry was tensing, but before Darry could respond to this, Sara had already noticed their little exchange so she continued. "I've already told Darry and Sodapop and they know why, and they're taking care of it." Darry wasn't to please none with the sassiness that Sara threw in there at the end of her response and he tossed her a look of frustration, even Sodapop flinched when he heard the sass.
"Sara, I don't tell Mrs. Roberts everything. Sometimes there are things that can be kept just between you and I. The only time I need to tell Mrs. Roberts things is when the judge asks me to do so. So let's try this again. What is keeping you from sleeping and eating?" Sara hesitated and looked back and forth from Sodapop to Darry looking for clearance to spill the beans. Both Darry and Sodapop gave her a nod of their head and Sara started slowly.
"I got lost at Ponyboy's meet, and it scared me, a whole bunch." Both of Dr. Robinson's eyebrows shoot up in surprised. He just nodded his head up and down in hopes that she wouldn't stop talking. "I was afraid that I wasn't gonna see my brothers again. I couldn't find them for a long time."
"How long were you missing Sara?" He asked trying to get a better understanding of the situation.
"I don't know." She said shrugging her shoulders. Dr. Robinson looked over to Darry to get an answer.
"A few hours, Doc."
"I can see how that would make you not be able to sleep. Sara, tell me a little more about what it's like when you do try to sleep."
"Well, usually I'm so tired that I might fall asleep right away, but then I start dreaming the same thing over and over again. It's Darry and Soda. I can hear their voices but I can't see their faces. And I keep hunting for them, but I can't find them. Then their voices get softer and softer and I can't hear them anymore. And then all I see are stranger's face. I don't like it. So I wake up."
"Thank you for sharing that with me Sara. It helps me understand things better. When you wake up do you scream? Are you hot and sweaty? How do you get back to sleep? Does something special work?"
Sara just shrugged her shoulders not sure how to respond to all the questions. "Sometimes she wakes up screaming, Doc, but sometimes we don't hear her. We have tried her sleeping with me or Sodapop and Ponyboy. She'll even go out to be with one of our friends if they are using our couch to crash for the night. The only thing we have found to get her back to sleep is to sleep with us or us with her." Darry offered up.
"Humm. Well, as you probably are already aware doing that is probably not going to help anyone. It's like with infants, you want them to learn how to sooth themselves back to sleep without bed sharing." Darry threw a look at Sodapop like to say I told you so, but Soda didn't pay no mind to it. It wasn't gonna make him stop none, when he knows for a fact it helps both Sara and Ponyboy. "So, Sara, that explains the sleeping, what about the eating? If I remember correctly you used to be a pretty good eater. What has changed?" Again, Sara just shrugged her shoulders. "That's not a very good answer. Can you try again."
"I just don't feel like it. Sometimes I'm just too tired."
"That's understandable." Dr. Robinson wrote some more notes down and when he was finished he looked up to Sara. "Sara, are you happy?" Sara started fidgeting with the hem of her skirt and was trying not to make eye contact with anyone. "Sara?" Dr. Robinson asked again.
"Sometimes I'm happy." She answered.
"Sometimes are you sad?" Dr. Robinson asked with sensitivity. Sara could start to feel the tears well up and just shook her head. "What makes you happy Sara? Being with friends? Playing? Drawing? Coloring? What makes you happy? I want the truth." Sara still was fidgeting with that damn hem and was trying to find things to say.
"I don't have any friends. No one wants to be my friend because I don't have a mom or dad anymore, but I'm ok with that." Again Darry and Sodapop shared eye contact. Neither brother had any idea of this. They never thought to ask Sara about friends at school. They were both so caught up in their lives and just getting by they never thought to think of friends for Sara, but it didn't stop there, Sara continued to answer Dr. Robinson's questions. "Music makes me happy; Mr. Bear makes me happy, playing with my toys." Dr. Robinson took notes and kept encouraging Sara to continue with smiles and nods.
"Is that it?" He asked.
Sara slowly brought her head up and for the first time since this topic started and made direct contact right into Dr. Robinson's eyes. In her most soft, innocent voice she whispered, "My brothers make me happy, when we're all together and playing like the other day in the football game. It was fun, and it helps me feel safe, and…" Sara's voice trailed off so that she couldn't be heard.
"And what Sara?" Dr. Robinson questioned.
"And loved." She said strongly. The three men in the room couldn't resist the smiles that came to their face when Sara confessed the last part.
"That's excellent Sara. You did a fine job. I think you've earned a lollipop. Let's see if Claire can't find you one." Dr. Robinson held his hand out for Sara to take a hold of. Sara gladly accepted it knowing that she was finished with the exam. She hopped down and Dr. Robinson stopped in front of Darry before opening the door. "Darry, is it ok if Sara has the candy?" Darry nodded his head yes. "Good, I'll be right back in to talk with you for a second."
"Sure." Darry was hoping that it wasn't anything to serious, but then why would he want to talk with him alone. Dr. Robinson moved out into the hall with Sara and the boys could hear him talking with Claire. Soon he had returned.
"Darry, why don't you have a seat?" Dr. Robinson pointed to the empty chair that was against the wall.
"Nah, I'm ok standing." Dr. Robinson motioned to Sodapop but Darry was quick to jump in.
"Sodapop, go out in the waiting room with Sara." He demanded.
"I'm staying." Soda answered back with some forcefulness.
"I said move!" Darry said raising his voice.
"I'm staying, Dar."
"Ok, you two, that's enough. What I have to say can be heard by both of you." Dr. Robinson leaned up against the sink and folded his arms across his chest and took a deep breath. "Boys, I'm afraid that we might have a serious problem on our hands."