built for sin~ sodapop curtis

twenty-one

iris's pov

two weeks. two whole weeks he's been in a coma. i have lost all hope and they're making me decide whether or not to pull the plug. how can someone make such a huge decision like that? he's my dad. they expect me to make the decision on whether i keep him alive on machines, or let him die.

i knew what i had to do, but i didn't want too. so i'm continuing to put it off as long as i can. i walked into the curtis home and everything went silent as i did. "please don't feel like you need to do that just because i showed up," i sighed sitting at the table.

they all continued talking and i sighed in relief. soda sat next to me and handed me a bottle of chocolate milk. "thank you," i said, weakly smiling. he gave his dashing, bright, smile back. i'm ruining him. i kissed his cheek and went to sit on the couch.

"anyone heard from my mom?" i asked. "no, i'm sorry iris," two-bit said. "it's okay," i smiled. i knew everyone was curious to what i was gonna do, since they were all quiet and staring at me, and i knew what i had to do. "stocco la spina," i whispered. (i'm gonna pull the plug) they all looked at me with wide eyes. soda furrowed his eyebrows, i knew he didn't understand. i grabbed his hands and looked up at him. "i don't want him to suffer," i said. he sighed and wrapped his arms around me tightly.

"you're making the right decision, and i'm gonna help you through it okay?" he said. i nodded and held back the tears attempting to escape. i got this. soda and johnny came with me to the hospital and i sat in the chair next to his bed. i sighed grabbing his hand. "hai sempre fatto le cose a modo tuo papà," i said with a small laugh. (you always did things your way dad) the nurse walked in and asked if i'd made a decision. i told her what i'd decided and she brought me all of the documents i needed to sign.

i didn't even read through anything, i just signed the papers and handed them back too her. the doctor walked back in with the nurse explained what they were about to do. i grabbed both soda and johnnys hands and held them tight. they took the tube out of his mouth and started turning off all of the machines. i watched as he took his last breath and the monitor flat lined. "time of death, 14:09,"

"finché non ci incontreremo di nuovo papà," (until we meet again dad) soda held me in his arms as i cried and we stood there until we were ready to leave. we went back to my moms so johnny could go home. "mamma?" i called out as i set the keys down. no answer. "great, now i gave a dead dad and a missing mom," i sighed sitting down on the couch.

"you want some water or food?" he asked. "it's ok i can make it," i replied. "no let me, please? i'll make you a 5 star turkey sandwich," he said. i smiled lightly. "ok fine, only cause you're cute," i replied. i knew how badly he wanted to help, i just didn't know how this pain would ever go away. what do you do when you lose a parent? i don't wanna ask soda, pony, or darry because i don't wanna bring back any hard memories.

"here you go doll," soda said and handed me the sandwich. "thank you bevanda," i said and he sat down next to me. "split it with me," i said holding up the other half for him. "no no no i want you to have it," he said. "i want you to share it with me," i said. "please,"

he gave in and took half from my hand. i laid my head on his shoulder and we watched a show while we ate. "do you need to be home?" i asked. "not for any reason i know about," he said. "are you sure? i'll be okay by myself i just need to get a hold of my mom she's probably at the bar or something," i said. "i'll go if you want me too, but i'm happy to stay as long as you need," he said. "i think i need to be alone for a little while, thank you though," i said and he smiled. "call me if you need anything," he said and kissed me.

"i'll see you tomorrow," i said. he let go of my hand, smiling slightly, and left to go home. i wanted to cry but nothing came out. my tears had run dry. all i felt was emptiness and i didn't think it would ever go away. i stared at the same spot on the wall for hours. not moving a muscle...until the phone rang.

i grabbed the phone and waited for whoever was on the other end to speak. "is this iris ripley?" the man asked. "yes who's this?" i said. "i'm a bar tender and your mother i believe said she needed you to pick her up," he said. i sighed and he gave me the address. once i was there and she was in the car, i just drove not saying a word. "what's got you so quiet?" she slurred. "nothing, i just don't understand why you keep doing this," i said.

"well if you don't like it why do you bother coming home," she asked, leaning her head on the window. "so you don't wind up dead on the side of the road," i replied. "why do you even care? you left when you were 14 just do it again, or better yet your father can have full custody then i won't have to deal with you," she said. that stung. she doesn't even know.

"well if you were even half as amazing as you thought you were, you'd know that dads dead, and you're the only blood-related family i have left, so why don't you just shut your trap and let me drive you home," i snapped and her eyes widened. she did as i said and i dropped her off and went to the lot. i didn't wanna go wake up soda, i knew he was worried enough already, i didn't wanna make it worse.