In Sickness and In Health

Chapter 18

Darry's POV

Something is wrong. That's one of the first things I realize when I wake up. I feel bad. Closing my eyes again I hope it'll go away, but it doesn't- and just when I thought I was better, too. Looking out my bedroom window I see it's still dark and glancing at my clock it reads 6:30. You'd think I'd go back to sleep feeling like this, but I didn't. Maybe I just need to wake up a little and then my stomach won't hurt, and my throat won't be sore, and I won't feel so tense. After taking a shower and changing into clothes I see it started to pour outside. It was strange having this much rain, but I appreciated it because I wouldn't have to consider calling in sick since we can't go to work when it's raining. Walking into the kitchen I smell pancakes. I see Steve cooking over the stove. "What are you doing up so early?" I inquire trying to sound like I was as healthy as I was last night. "Couldn't sleep," Steve responds simply, "You want some pancakes?" My stomach doesn't feel like it could keep anything down and I try to casually respond, "Nah, I'm not hungry, yet, but thanks." "Suit yourself," says Steve as he piles three on to his plate. I'm relieved to see the newspaper on our porch so I can distract myself with that instead of watching Steve eat. I really hope I'm not sick again. I really don't like being sick in front of people. After sitting on the couch and kind of reading kind of staring at the paper for about an hour, Soda and Pony wake up and serve themselves some pancakes. Not too long after them, Two-Bit comes on in too. I don't think I could stand being in the same vicinity as people eating so I put on a jacket and sit on our porch that covers me from the rain and continue to nonchalantly read the paper. Luckily no one questions me being outside so I can deal with my sickness by myself. What feels like ten minutes later, the boys all come out with the football in Pony's hands. The rain had stopped, but it was supposed to rain later so I knew no one had to work the afternoon shift. "Hey, Darry," Soda says, "Wanna go down to the park with us and play?" Determined that I am better and just have some symptoms tagging along, if that's a thing, I agree and walk to the park.