Abby (long version)

S I X

Several hours after we got home, the house was filled with the smell of baked chicken. Darry knew it was my favorite. I mean, it had only been a couple weeks since they'd found me in the lot, but I learned pretty quick that you get to know the people you're living with pretty well.

I was feeling a little better than I had been earlier that morning. My legs still ached, and I still felt weak, not to mention the low, lingering fever, but I didn't feel like I was about to topple over. I walked into the kitchen, and when no one was looking, I dipped my finger in the mashed potatoes. Darry's back was turned-he was checking on the chicken in the oven-so I grabbed the salt and added a little bit to the potatoes.

"Abby, what do you think you're doing?" he asked with a broad smile.

"Helping with dinner. You always make the potatoes bland," I said with a teasing grin.

"I take it you're feeling better?"

"A little bit."

My stomach was a bit uneasy, and I didn't have much of an appetite, but the food smelled so good I didn't care if I made myself sick eating.

I wasn't the only one who was hungry. Most of the meal was silent because everyone was too busy stuffing themselves with food.

"Why'd you run away?" Ponyboy finally asked in an attempt to break the silence.

I threw a glance at Darry. "It was nothing. I'm here and everything's fine, right?"

"I was worried about you, Abby."

The silence returned. "I guess you deserve to know. But you have to promise to let me tell everyone else on my own time, when I'm ready, okay?"

"Okay."

"I have leukemia-blood cancer," I said quietly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Ponyboy said. I wasn't sure if he was sorry I was sick or apologizing for bringing it up.

I started picking at my food again. There were several painfully long, silent moments before Ponyboy spoke up again. "You're gonna be okay, right?"

My eyes blurred with tears, and I shook my head. I tried to tell him, but I couldn't. Gosh, I tried, but the words wouldn't come out. Heartache and pain imprisoned them inside of me.

"Abby, you're gonna be okay, right?" Ponyboy repeated, the hope in his voice diminishing.

"I've only got a month left!" I finally cried. Tears started spilling from my eyes, and I buried my face in my hands. I mean, what else do you do when it feels like the world is caving in on you?

I ran to my room, tears blocking my vision. It was all I could do to not slam the door before collapsing onto my bed in a mess of tears. As I laid on my bed, or rather, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis' bed, I couldn't help but think about my own parents. They were dead because of me, and there was nothing I could've-

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Abby? You alright?" a voice asked.

I wiped my tears hurriedly. "I guess so. You can come in if you want," I said in a shaky voice. I thought it might be Darry, or maybe Sodapop or Ponyboy.

Johnny walked in slowly, making sure I was alright. "You've been crying," he quietly noted to himself. He walked over and sat by me on the edge of my bed. There was a long silence while we just sat beside each other, not saying anything at all.

I finally gave in and leaned into Johnny, sobbing into his shoulder. He just held me while I cried, stroking my hair, and talking to me in a low voice. I was too racked up to hear most of what he was saying, though.