changes part 2

chapter eleven

When pony finally woke up,bobby was sitting by his bedside."hi baby" bobby signed. Pony rubbed the side of his head, he could feel the bandage that covered his head.

Ten days later pony was released from hospital. His hearing hadn't fully returned yet,  but the doctor said it might take some time. Pony could hear faint sounds and a lot of buzzing. At first he was a little scared. But over time he got use to the sounds. He even learned to recognise what sounds were what.

Once pony's hearing started to come back, darry got him to go to speach therapy so he could get use to his voice again. It had been 2 years since anyone heard him speak. Pony's teacher said he was doing real good with his words.

Bobby had come home for the weekend, he wanted to pony to know he was there for him. It was sunday night when bobby was packing his bag. He had to be back in houston before tuesday. Pony entered bobby's room. "Hey kiddo, you wanna help me pack" bobby smiled at his son. Pony just stood there.  There was something he wanted to say to bobby, but didn't feel ready to share his voice just yet.

The next morning, everyone ate breakfast, and chatted like normal. The only one signing now was pony. He could hear now but still wasn't talking. After breakfast the boys all watched some tv while they waited for bobby's cab to arrive.

Bobby said his goodbyes he kissed pony "i love you kiddo, always have" he spoke before walking out the door. He was about to get in the cab but was stopped. "Dad wait" ponyboy, his baby boy had finally spoke and it was him who he was speaking too. "Ponyboy come over hear" bobby held his arms open while tears appeared in his eyes.

Pony ran into bobby's arms. "I love you too dad" pony spoke again. "I am so proud of you baby" bobby hugged him again. Darry and soda were both watching. They had a feeling they might not have ponyboy for much longer and they were right. Pony had decided that he wanted to live with his mom and dad.

He felt they all deserved a second chance. Even though it was hard letting the boy that he raised go, darry couln't be more proud of him. Pony promised he would come home for the holidays.