I watched as we pulled from the car park, out onto the main road. A car with two kids in the backseat, drove in the lane beside us. Their dad behind the wheel, with their mum in the passenger seat. The kids looked like they were arguing over something, but one didn't look any younger than me - it made me think. I wasn't anymore than a kid myself - but watching them - they looked carefree; like they didn't have a care in the world - but life changed when you didn't have parents.

I wondered briefly - did their parents tuck them in at nights... or, hold their hand when scared at the doctors... or even, tell them how much they were loved - my mom was beautiful, caring, and loving - her hugs always so warm. She'd hold me in her arms, and place soft kisses to my head, saying "You'll always be my baby, Ponyboy." I can picture her soft, warm smile right now, as she said it - then she'd tell me, how much she loves me...

I could feel my eyes getting moist, and brushed at them hurriedly. I knew even though I didn't have my parents to do those things for me, I still had Sodapop... and I loved Soda more than I have anyone, even mum and dad. I turned my head, towards Soda. He noticed.

"You ok, kiddo?"

I nodded, feeling a sudden need of comfort. I slid over in my seat, moving as close to Soda as I could, then placed my head on his shoulder. He took one hand from the steering wheel, wrapping his arm around me, as he steered with the other.

We arrived home, pulling up on our front nature strip - as Darry's truck was already occupying the drive. He would have only gotten home, not even five minutes ago. I wonder if Two-Bit, or Steve had filled him in yet; I'm sure he would have been worried to find us not home. Soda helped me up the front porch steps, opening the fly screen.

Darry entered from the kitchen, as soon as he heard the door. "Ponyboy, are you ok? Two-Bit said something about you standing on a nail and how it was all his fault... Soda?" asked Darry, concerned, as to wondering what had happened.

"Yeah, Darry. I'll fill you in, in a second. I'm just gonna get Pony to bed, he needs to rest."

Soda helped me to our bedroom. He pulled the covers back on the bed, for me to climb in, then pulled them over me.

"I'll be back in a minute, kiddo."

He returned minutes later, with a glass filled with water, an ice pack and one of my pills.

"Honey, sit up... you need to take this."

I complied. He handed me the water and the pill. I put the pill in my mouth and washed it down with the water, then handed the glass back to Soda. He placed the ice pack on the injected area of my arm and told me to hold it there.

"Try get some rest, kiddo... I'll be in soon," he said, kissing my forehead, then walked out closing the door behind him.

Minutes later, I could hear Soda and Darry talking in the kitchen.

"Where's Steve and Two-Bit?" Soda asked.

"They left not long after I got home. Steve said he'll pick his car up tomorrow morning."

Pause...

Darry spoke up again. "I gave Two-Bit a good ear full when I got home, his not to leave his beer lying around here anymore... So you gonna tell me what happened today?"

"Yeah... Two-Bit was fooling around with the garden hose and chasing Pony with it, he ran past the shed out the back and stepped on an' old rusty nail. I took him into the clinic." Soda said.

"How many times have I told that kid, not to run around down near there. It was bound to happen sooner or later." Darry sounded angry.

"Yeah, Darry I know... but you didn't see him, he had to get a Tetanus shot. I've never seen him that scared, not even before a rumble; he started hyperventilating Darry." Soda said, sounding on the verge of tears.

"Yeah, his always been afraid of shots... but never that bad."

"I know."

Pause...

"I might go and lie down with him." I heard Soda say.

"Ok, little buddy." Darry replied, then I heard footsteps coming down the hall and the bedroom door creak open.

"Hey, Pony." Soda said, coming into our room.

"Hey, Soda."

"How you feeling, baby?" he asked, as he climbed in beside me.

"Sore." I mumbled. He placed his arm around me, pulling me to his chest, then lightly ran his fingers along my sore arm.

"I know, honey... just relax, close your eyes." I closed my eyes, feeling a little sleepy; probably the drowsy affect from the medicine. I curled up against Soda and focused on the soft tingles on my arm from Soda's fingers, rather than the pain.

Next thing I know, I'm been shaken roughly. I knew it was Darry - his always rough with me, though I'm sure he doesn't mean to be. I opened my eyes, sleepily.

"Hey kiddo, get up... dinners ready."

"Hmm, do I have to?" I moaned, sleepily.

"Yeah... you do, come on it's getting cold."

I yawned, turning over, but the spot behind me was empty. "Where's Soda?"

"His in the kitchen... hopefully setting the table, like I asked..."

I yawned again, and sat up, feeling the coldness of the room hit me.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, as he helped me stand.

"Tired... sore." I mumbled.

"Ok, well... you can take some Tylenol after dinner."

I sat down at the table, placing my elbow on the top and resting my head in the palm of my hand, as I watched Soda place bowls of pasta on the table. Then he grabbed three glasses from the cupboard, pouring chocolate milk in two of them and water in the third, he slid a glass of chocolate milk towards me and the water to Darry.

I reluctantly picked up my fork, stabbing a couple of pasta's, and put them in my mouth - chewing slowly; feeling drained of all energy. Then sat there, staring glassy eyed into my bowl, prodding the pasta with my fork.

"You ok? Your looking a little flush, kiddo." Darry leaned towards me, placing the back of his hand on my forehead. I didn't answer, just kept staring at my food.

"Hmm... you do feel a bit warm. Maybe go lie down, if your not gonna eat anymore."

I stood up, putting my full bowl of food on the bench. Then slowly made my way into the lounge, curling up on the couch. Feeling sleepy, I closed my eyes.

After a minute, I felt someone lightly rub my arm.

"Baby, lean up." I sleepily lifted myself up, keeping my eyes closed. Soda placed his hands on my upper arms, helping me, then sat down placing my head in his lap. He wrapped one arm around my chest, as he felt my forehead and cheek with his other hand.

"Darry?" Soda called.

Darry's footsteps entered the lounge. "Yeah, Soda?"

"Could you bring an ice pack, and also the thermometer?" Soda asked, though it wasn't really a question.

He left the room, only to return minutes after.

"Pony, open your mouth for me." I obliged, he placed the thermometer under my tongue, then I closed my mouth.

Soda held the cold pack to my arm, it did help a little to soothe the pain. The beeping of the thermometer sounded, and Darry slid it from my mouth.

"101.8... it's a fever, but not too high. It's normally common after a tetanus shot."

I groaned, keeping my eyes shut. Soda ran his fingers through my hair.

"Either way, I want you to head back to bed."

"Can't I stay out here." I whined.

"No. Bed." He said, using his parental tone.

I stood up, pouting, "There's no need for that face, kiddo. Go."

I limped slowly to my bedroom, sulking to myself. I changed into my sleep pants, then climbed back into bed, again. Soda came in about fifteen minutes later, changing, then slid into bed beside me.

"Pony?" Soda whispered.

I didn't answer - pretending I was already asleep. I didn't feel much up to talking anyway. My arm was excruciating, and my head was throbbing with a headache.

"Kiddo, I know your not asleep." He tried again.

Soda is the only person, who can read me a little too well. It's almost impossible to lie to him. But even so... I still didn't answer. He sat up, leaning over the top of me.

"Hey... it's ok." I'm sure he noticed the remaining tear tracks down my cheeks. He placed an arm around my chest, then whispered. "What's the matter, honey?"

That just made me tear up again.

"Baby, it's ok... tell me what's wrong, so I can fix it." He spoke gently.

"I-i feel like shit, S-soda... my arm is damn well killing me." I sobbed, softly.

He raised his hand, but paused mid air, then placed it back down on the bed. He probably figured I was already in enough pain, without him causing me more, so he settled with saying, "Watch your language, Pony. Let me take a look at your arm?"

I nodded, whilst massaging my temples.

He carefully took my arm, in his hand. "Hmm... it's a little swollen, and red. I'll get the ice pack." He climbed out of bed, standing up - but didn't move. I could feel his eyes on me.

"Have you got a headache?" he asked. I nodded again, before he exited the room.

He returned minutes later, sitting on the edge of the bed. He handed me two aspirin, which I washed down with the glass of water he gave me. Then he placed the empty glass on the bedside, after I handed it back.

He slid back into bed, wrapped his arm around me, and pulled me to his chest. Then placed the ice on my arm, holding it for me.

"Try get some sleep, honey," he said, placing a kiss to my head.

It was hard to drift off, with the constant pain in my arm. Eventually the cold from the ice numbed the pain enough, letting me fall into a restless sleep.

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...

Bella Lilac