An Unlikely Allie

Chapter 13

Darry's POV

After hearing what Dally had to say, we went back into Phaedra's room.  I still hadn't digested the new information. This situation was much bigger than I thought. I was surprised to see Johnny there, "hey Johnnycakes," I whispered, "how is she?"

"Still sleeping," he said quietly, not taking his eyes off of Phae.  Everyone but Phae knew Johnny had a thing for her, "how bad off is she?  Does she know about...?" his voice trailed as he looked at her bandaged face.

"No, last time she was awake long enough, the fuzz screwed that up," Soda replied, not even trying to hide the bitterness in his voice, "they sedated her again." 

Dally sighed and pulled out a deck of cards.  We all sat around the table and played poker to pass the time.  Every now and then Phaedra would whimper and roll over in her sleep.  Soda and I would share the same worried look.

Steve and Two-Bit showed up a little later with lunch for everyone.  I was grateful, hospital food sucked, "how is she?" Steve asked quietly.

"She kinda freaked after the fuzz left so they sedated her again," I informed them, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.  Phae looked so helpless and small laying in that bed, "I gotta go call my boss and check in.  I'll be right back."

I headed to the payphone and dialed my boss, "Mr. Edwards? It's Darrel Curtis.  Do you have a minute?"

"How's your sister?" He asked before anything else.  He didn't know the whole story.  I just told him Phae was in the hospital.

"Honestly Sir, she's got a long road ahead of her.  She had her appendix out and half her face is paralyzed.  She got attacked on her way to school.  Beat her real bad."

He was silent, "Is there anything I can do?" He spoke after a moment.

"Do I still have my job?"

"Curtis, you're the best worker I got.  Don't you worry about your job.  Take care if your sister; keep me posted "

I almost cried with relief, "Thank you, Mr. Edwards."

"Call me if you need anything."

We hung up and I walked back toward the hospital room.  Soda was standing outside the room with a look that could kill.  Steve was standing beside him.  "Why do you even care?  They had to sedate her again because y'all upset her so much!" Soda snapped.

"What's going on?" I asked gruffly.  One of the officers from before was there with an middle aged couple.  The wife was petite with blond hair and blue eyes.  It looked like she hadn't slept in a month.  She had dark bags under her eyes.  The husband didn't look much better.

"My name is Charles Delaney and this is my wife Anita.  Our daughter, Annmarie, was hurt by the same guy who hurt your sister."

"We just want to know who it was so we can press charges," Anita Delaney added, dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

"And you think my sister knows who it was?" I demanded, "because it was some greaser."  Their silence was all the answer I needed. 

I was ready to blow up when a quiet voice beside me started to speak, "You have a lot of nerve comin' down here.  Your daughter is already home, correct?"

"Yes, but..." Anita whispered.

"But nothing," Johnny retorted.  "Your daughter didn't get cut near as bad as she did.  Tell me, do you have her plastic surgery consult lined up?"

"Young man, you watch your tone," Officer Mason sneered.

"How did you know?" Her father started.

Johnny whipped out the newspaper article, "she got a whole page in the paper!  What's Phaedra gonna get?  Not a damn thing cause of what side of the tracks she comes from.  The asshole that attacked her beat her so bad that her appendix ruptured!  He cut her so deep that she may never get full use of the left side of her face!  She will carry that scar her entire life."  Johnny started to cry. 

Dal walked out of the room.  He put his arm around Johnny and led him down the hall.  Two-Bit followed as did Steve after he whispered something to Soda. 

The Delaney's said nothing.  They look ashamed and I almost felt bad for them, "are we done here?" I growled, "we got our sister to take care of."

Anita put her hand on my arm, "I'm sorry.  I had no idea..."

I pulled away from her, "why would you?  The only reason you think you care is because your precious daughter got hurt.  In a few months, she'll be better.  I bet you won't even remember Phaedra's name."  It was then I heard the sound of glass shattering.  Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see.