Happy New Year! I hope everyone has an amazing 2024.

SURPRISE! Here's Chapter 8.

"Ponyboy! How you been, kid? Ready to get those staples out?"

Pony swallowed hard. "A little nervous," he said.

"Don't be," Ron replied "It's not supposed to hurt."

Almost a week after going home, Ponyboy found himself back at the hospital, perched on the examination table in a private room of the pediatric ward. It was time to remove the staples he had received after emergency brain surgery.

It had been some 2 weeks since Pony had been admitted to Tulsa General with bacterial meningitis. After Pony had started to have seizures, doctors had to perform an External Ventricular Drain (EVD) in his skull to remove fluid buildup that was putting pressure on the brain. The youngest Curtis had done well during surgery with no immediate post-surgical complications and had even survived sepsis later on.

Now it was time to get the staples holding the incision together removed.

Ron wasn't performing the procedure, but he had arranged a follow-up checkup for Pony once it was over. As with the lumbar puncture, he was also there to oversee things, partially as a favor to Darry.

After not seeing Pony for a few days, Ron had already noticed that there was a definite improvement in his condition. He looked more alert than he had when he first left the hospital and there was less racoon bruising around the eyes, particularly the left side where the fluid had been drained. Color was returning to his pallid cheeks.

What Ron didn't know was that Pony was still having a hard time walking and that his headaches hadn't fully gone away. Neither had his back spasms, but Pony was keeping that information to himself.

Darry and Soda were on hand for moral support. Both had left work early to be there for their younger brother's procedure. Soda was actually going back afterwards. Pony had asked them to come. Although he was trying to play it cool, he was still worried.

Meanwhile, Steve was there and Two-Bit had come to the DX to help.

The youngest Curtis shifted uncomfortably on the table, his eyes dancing around the room like he was searching for an escape. He ran a shaky hand through what remained of his hair, his fingers trembling slightly. Pressing his right palm on the table, like he was holding himself up, he tried to steady his restless, quivering fingers.

Noticing Pony's visible unease, Darry discreetly covered his brother's hand with his own, trying to provide some semblance of comfort.

"Dr. Wexler should be here in a minute," Ron spoke up.

Dr. Wexler had been one of the surgeons who had performed the emergency EVD when Pony had first had seizures. He also had specialized training to handle post-operative care after complex surgical procedures involving the nervous system.

The doctor said hello to Ponyboy and his brothers when he came in and even mentioned how pleased he was at how Pony was recovering from such a serious illness. He explained that fluid buildup is a common complication of an EVD procedure but that he was delighted that things were looking clean and Pony hadn't experienced that.

"You strike me as a sharp kid. Would it help if I explained what the procedure is like?" Dr. Wexler asked, catching on to Ponyboy's anxious expression, "Not everyone's a fan of the nitty-gritty details, and that's fine, too. If you're not up for it, just say the word."

Dr. Wexler gave Ron a look and Ron responded with a knowing smile. He turned back to Pony, who still looked skeptical.

"I can sense those gears turning in your head, and I think breaking it down might ease some of those worries. What do you say, Ponyboy?" Dr. Wexler asked.

"Sure," he shrugged, apprehensive, but curious.

Dr. Wexler picked up the staple remover, holding it up like Steve would hold a wrench.

"This is a metal staple remover device. It just pushes on the staple, bends the two edges up and then removes it from the skin. The device is a 3 point bend on the staple – it bends the staple in the middle and pulls the two prongs out of the skin quickly – and almost painlessly. Sometimes it causes a little blood, but nothing to worry about. You don't have a lot of staples there. The wound will be cleaned afterwards. If it's dry, there will be no dressing, if there's bleeding, sometimes a dry dressing for 24 hours," Dr. Wexler explained.

"We do take pride in our scars," he laughed, "You'll probably have a small scar for a little while. It's the least important part, but the only part people see."

"Hear that, Pone?" Soda grinned and practically elbowed him, "A tuff lookin' scar."

"It probably won't last forever," Dr. Wexler added.

"That's a good thing," Darry spoke up.

Dr. Wexler nodded and then turned his attention back to Ponyboy. He reached for a pair of latex gloves and put them on with a snap, the sound echoing in the room. Taking a deep breath, Pony braced himself, his eyes fixated on the staple remover in Dr. Wexler's hand.

"Alright, Ponyboy, this won't take long," the doctor said, "You might feel a little discomfort but not much. It's normal."

Ponyboy nodded nervously, gripping the edge of the table as the doctor carefully began removing the staples from his head.

The room seemed to quiet down, the air heavy with anticipation. Darry and Soda stepped back to give the doctor some room.

With deliberate movements, Dr. Wexler positioned the staple remover over the first staple. Pony couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety in his stomach, and wished he still felt Darry's hand.

"Alright, here we go," Dr. Wexler announced, his experienced hands working swiftly but with precision. The staple remover pressed down on the staple and Ponyboy felt a slight pressure before the distinctive click of the staple being bent and lifted away from his skin

It happened so quickly that he blinked in surprise.

"That's one down," Dr. Wexler commented, "Feeling ok, Ponyboy?"

Ponyboy hesitated, surprised by lack of pain, "Yea, I'm fine."

A slight tug and a metallic click accompanied each staple's release.

"We're almost done," the doctor said.

The process went by quicker than he expected. As the last staple was removed, a mix of gratitude and relief washed over him. He let out a sigh of relief.

"All done," Dr. Wexler said, "You did great, Ponyboy. The incision looks good."

The sensation of the staples being removed was strange, but far less uncomfortable than he had imagined.

"I'm just glad it's over," Pony replied, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

Soda shot Ponyboy a teasing smirk, his eyes bright as usual. "Look at you, Pone, toughing it out like a champ. That scar's like your badge of honor, like a cowboy who survived a showdown."

"Soda, I think you've been watching too much 'Wild, Wild West," he replied, rolling his eyes at Pony with a grin.

Dr. Wexler disposed of the used staples into a small medical bin and then turned back to Ponyboy.

"Now, as I mentioned, we'll clean the wound and if everything looks good, we won't need a dressing. Just a bit of care and the scar will heal up nicely," he explained, grabbing a sterile cleaning solution and a gauze pad. As he finished up, he patted Ponyboy gently on the shoulder. "All done. You're a trooper, Ponyboy. You're healing quite nicely. Take it easy for a while and if you notice any unusual symptoms, don't hesitate to reach out. Wishing you a smooth recovery," he said.

With that, he was out the door. Soda had to leave as well, which Pony wasn't super happy about but he understood. Besides, they all trusted Ron.

It was Darry, Ron, and Pony left in the room. Ron put on a pair of latex gloves and carefully examined Pony's head.

"I know Dr. Wexler already checked you, but it could take time for signs of infection or abnormal swelling to show, so I want you to let me know if you feel any discomfort or unusual sensations around the incision site in the next few days," Ron said.

Ron put a hand on the other side of Pony's head and used the other to flash a light in Pony's eyes. It caused Pony to squint.

Pony grimaced, "You're blinding me here," he said aloud.

Ron chuckled, removing the light and retracting his hand. "Sorry about that. Just making sure your pupils react as they should."

Ponyboy blinked a few times, readjusting to the light in the room.

"Well, they're still working I guess," Pony retorted.

"Good to hear. Wouldn't want you stumblin' around in the dark," Ron said and everyone laughed.

"On a serious note, Ponyboy, has the light been bothering you recently? The headaches and sensitivity to light can sometimes be connected," he said.

"Sometimes,"Pony answered, thinking it over. "Especially in the first few days."

"It's not uncommon, especially with meningitis. We'll keep an eye on that. If it persists or worsens, let me know," Ron answered, also looking at Darry to silently let him know that he should mention it if Pony says something to him.

"Any issues with dizziness or balance?" Ron asked.

Pony shrugged so Darry, sensing Pony's hesitation, stepped in. "He's comin' along," Darry explained, "But, you know, it's still a bit tough for him to get around sometimes. Gets tired quick, and there's some dizziness, right, Pone?" Darry patted his back for reassurance as Pony nodded.

"That's normal, as long as you're seeing some improvement. Gotta take it slow," Ron told them.

"Now let's check your motor skills and coordination," he added.

Ron instructed Ponyboy to follow a set of specific movements to assess his motor skills. First, Ron asked Ponyboy to touch his nose with his index finger, alternating between each hand. Then, he took out a handheld dynamometer to measure Pony's hand grip strength. He also guided Ponyboy through a series of joint movements to assess the range of motion in his arms.

"Alright, Ponyboy, I know you've been through a lot and I appreciate the effort so far. We're gonna keep this light, I promise. No fancy acrobatics, even though I know you're itching to leap out of here," Ron quipped, leaning in with a friendly tone, "I need you to do a couple things for me."

"First, the heel-to-toe walk. It'll help us understand how your balance is shaping up. It's a small step toward getting you back in your groove," Ron said. Darry and Ron helped Pony get down from the examination table and he wobbled a bit on his feet.

Ron had Ponyboy walk a straight line, placing the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other with each step. Darry and Ron immediately saw him starting to sway. They both grabbed his forearms gently.

"Easy does it, Pony. No need to rush," Darry said.

"That's right," Ron added, "I'm just getting a feel for where you are right now. It's about progress, not perfection."

Pony took a few steps. The purpose of the heel-to-toe walk was to gauge Pony's current limitations and abilities after his return home.

"You've been through the wringer, huh Ponyboy," Ron said as he held onto the youngest Curtis. Pony started to find his balance as Ron and Darry walked alongside him. Ron paid close to attention to his overall fluidity of movement.

"Believe it or not, your progress is pretty notable considering you just got out of the hospital a few days ago," Ron encouraged, "Your brothers have been keeping a close eye on you, I see."

Darry nodded, "Like hawks," he said assuredly.

"More like mother hens," Pony added dryly.

Ron laughed.

"I want to schedule a couple more meetings for you with Claire. I'd like you to continue working on these movements,"

"You think she'll have evening appointments?" Darry asked, hoping he could schedule it in after work.

"I can ask," Ron said.

"I can probably get Two-Bit to take me or something," Pony added.

"She's on vacation now anyway. It'll have to be after Christmas," Ron told them as they stopped near the examination table, "Speaking of which, any special plans for the holiday?"

Darry gave his baby brother a guilt-ridden look. Things sure had changed in a year. Last year, their parents had still been alive. Dally and Johnny had still been alive –

"I need to sit down," Pony interrupted, his face draining of color.

"Yeah, let's get you back to the table," Ron said. They guided Pony back to the medical exam table and helped him climb up to the seat. Pony sank down with a heavy sigh. He looked down, willing himself not to shed tears.

Ron's face softened, realizing his slip."I said something wrong, didn't I? I'm sorry."

Darry maintained his composure, willing himself not to get emotional, but his hand still went out to rub Pony's back.

"Last year our parents were alive," he choked out, "This is our first year without 'em."

Their mom had loved Christmas time and everything about it — the decorating, the music, the milk and cookies, the egg nog. His dad had taken his boys to the local tree lot every year.

Ron didn't know what to say. He had already ruined the mood and he didn't want to stick his foot in his mouth.

"We were gonna keep things low-key this year," Darry confessed, "But Soda and Steve are going out tonight to get a tree."

Pony looked up, startled. "A tree? Seriously?" he gaped at his oldest brother.

Darry nodded, his smile growing. "Yea, thought we could use a bit of cheer around here, since it's been a tough two weeks. And a tough year," he added. "Then we were gonna ask you to help us decorate it."

Pony beamed.

"It was supposed to be a surprise," Darry said, relieved to see a glimmer of joy in Pony's eyes. "But you can keep a secret, right?" He teased his brother.

Pony nodded enthusiastically and Darry chuckled. "It's fine – Soda will be ok once he finds out why I told you," he said, winking.

"Sounds great," Ron said. Pony was grinning so hard that Darry knew he and Soda had come up with the right plan to make Pony happy.

Darry turned to the doctor, a contemplative look on his face. "Hey, Ron, what are your plans for Christmas?"

Ron looked up from where he had been observing Ponyboy. "Oh, uh, not much really. Just gonna hang out at home, watch some football and Christmas movies. My father invited me to spend it with him and his new girlfriend, but I'm not too keen on that – you know what I mean?"

Darry nodded understandingly. "Yeah, I get it. Sometimes it's nice to have some peace and quiet, especially during the holidays. But if you're up for it, you're more than welcome to join us."

Ron raised an eyebrow.

"Can't say it'll be quiet," Ponyboy quipped as an aside and Ron laughed.

Ron raised an eyebrow. "You sure? I don't want to intrude or anything."

Darry clapped a hand on Ron's shoulder. After being kind enough to let him stay over when he was fighting with Ponyboy, and making him feel at home, he was more than a doctor now – he was a friend. "You wouldn't be intruding. Two-Bit and Steve will probably come over later in the morning. Pony could use the distraction," he winked at his little brother, "And it'll be fun for us to have some more company."

Ron mulled over the invitation. He had come to know and like the Curtis brothers and their friends. He was at least 10 years older than Darry, but that boy had a wisdom beyond his years, and his maturity had made Ron forget the age gap. And even with all the jokes, none of the boys had ever made him feel like a grandfather.

And of course, he had felt proud to help this family with their medical bills. They didn't even know about that and they had still invited he contemplated the offer, he couldn't ignore the warmth he felt at the invitation.

Ron shifted on his feet, a small grin playing on his lips. "You know what? I could use a break from the bachelor life. Yeah, I'm in. But don't expect me not to bring something. Need to contribute to the holiday spirit and all," he teased.

Darry chuckled, "You can bring whatever you want. Just don't expect much. We're pretty simple folks," he said.

"Got it, stick to the basics," Ron replied.

He looked at Pony again. The boy was getting tired.

"So we actually didn't do one of the exercises we were supposed to, which is balancing on one leg to check stability," Ron explained, "But I think you're probably fine without it. I want you to try to get up and walk around the house when you can, Pony. Not if you're too tired – rest is important too – but so is getting your muscles moving when you can. Got it?"

"Yessir,"Pony replied.

"Don't call me sir. Sir is my father," Ron quipped, winking at Darry. "I want to give you another prescription for painkillers," he said. "And I don't want you to shy away from using them if you're in pain. You won't be using them for a long time anyway."

"What about antibiotics?" Darry asked.

"It's important for Ponyboy to complete the full course of antibiotics I've prescribed, even if his symptoms improve before the medication is finished. I'm hoping he won't need more – we'll figure that out before the next appointment. Can you guys make it to my father's clinic in a week or so?"

"Can you make it a later appointment?" Darry asked.

"Sure," Ron said, "I'll stick around till 7. Sound good?"

"Yeah thanks," Darry said.

"What about him going back to school?" Darry asked. "When do you think he's gonna be ready?"

Ron chuckled, "Well if you're anything like me, you're never ready for school," Pony looked up and laughed, "But I would say he should stick to being at home until at least after New Year's. We'll probably need an assessment from Claire first. And Pony, you'll let me know if you experience any more severe aches or dizziness right?"

Pony nodded. And then Ron realized why Darry was really asking.

"But if you're worried about someone being with him at all times, well, check in with me and we'll figure out how soon he can stay home alone. He definitely needs a period of rest and monitoring first," Ron explained.

"Why do you guys have to talk to me like I'm not right here?" Pony asked, gruntled.

"Sorry, kid" Darry and Ron said at the same time.

As Darry drove home, Pony fidgeted with the edge of his jacket, trying to warm up and stealing glances at his older brother, who was focused on the road.

"What's going on, kiddo?" Darry spoke up.

Unable to contain himself, Pony blurted out, "You know, you could have given me a heads up about Christmas! Now I have to figure out what to get everyone – and I can't exactly go out to buy gifts," he bit his lip, genuinely worried.

Darry reached out and rubbed the back of his head, "Aww, don't worry about it, Pone. You comin' home from the hospital is enough. I'm sure Soda would say the same."

Pony rolled his eyes. "Well, I can't exactly gift-wrap myself and call it a present, can I?"

Darry cracked a small smile, "Two-Bit would love that," he mused, "Look, Pone, I ain't no Santa Claus, but I reckon we can figure somethin' out. You have a few days."

Pony leaned back and crossed his arms. Darry's gaze softened as he glanced at Pony's head. "How's your head doin', Pone? Feelin' alright?" he asked with genuine concern.

"It's ok," Pony replied, although he could feel a headache coming on. Now that the staples were out, he was starting to feel less like a science experiment.

Darry sighed. "You know, it wasn't that long ago that we were stuck here in the truck. It was coming down hard. You were real sick and I was pretty worried."

"Yeah, I know," Pony said sleepily, "But I made it out ok, right? Thanks to you and Soda. And Two-Bit and Steve. And Ron. And meds," he joked.

Darry grinned, his eyes returning to the road, "Well, I'm real glad you're in one piece. You had us worried for a while there."

Pony smiled, the weight of illness fading with the assurance of Darry's words, "Guess I don't make it easy for you to be the responsible big brother, huh?"

Darry chuckled as the truck rolled through the streets, "Wouldn't have it any other way, Pone. Now let's get home so you can rest up a bit. Then you can help me find all the boxes of old Christmas decorations, so we'll be ready to start decorating after Soda comes back with the tree," he said, adding, "We'll make this holiday one to remember."


When they got home, Darry came around to the passenger side and offered Pony his hand to pull him out of the truck. Pony didn't even wince as Darry helped lift him out of the truck. He was doing so much better.

"Think you can make it into the house by yourself?" Darry asked, it being the first time he hadn't physically offered Pony his support, "I want to check the mail."

"Sure,"Pony said and Darry watched in amazement as Pony carefully walked back to the house and even climbed the rickety porch steps by himself. He wasn't as steady as he had been in the past – the movements were cautious and marked by fatigue – but he was on his own.

Darry couldn't help the upward curve of the corners of his mouth as he watched Ponyboy navigate his way back to the house. He went to the mailbox near the driveway, opened it and pulled out the mail. Just as he suspected. White envelope on top.

Strange that there was no return address this time, but he knew exactly what it was.

He opened the envelope and pulled out the bill. It contained all the relevant details – Pony's full name, his address, and his medical record number. He knew this was only one of many, in the payment plan that he had worked out with the hospital.

This first one included some of the services provided and a list of medical procedures that had been performed. It was written on the hospital's letterhead.

Darry scanned it and was in shock. At the bottom of the document was a large red stamp that made Darry's eyes widen as he absorbed the information. The word was unmistakably clear.

PAID.