Stronger with You

There Goes the Ribs

Peyton*
June 5th 1965

"I love the rodeo!" Two-Bit hollered swaying. I was glad he was happier than this morning even if it was because of his alcohol intake.

I loved rodeos. I loved them with everything I had. We grew up around them, that's kind of unbelievable to most, but where else are a bunch of greasers supposed to go in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The boys were bull riding which was starting now with some Soc. Maya sat on the edge of her seat bouncing her knee nervously.

Maya always got nervous when the boys did reckless things. Even when she did things the same, but I understood it. She took the role of mom just as Darry did dad.

"Next up Steve Randall!"

We all cheered as Steve settled down on the bull getting everything ready. He nodded and the shoot opened, the bull bursting out.

The bull bucked and spun and Steve hung on for dear life. The 8 second were up and he was flung off, he rolled in the dirt and then jumped up.

Dallas went next and Maya got a little more tense then what she was with Steve.

Part of me thought people stared at us weird when we showed up to rodeos with boots and spurs, but then I remembered where we are.

I guess it was just the socs, wearing nice polished boots with jeans that we consider too nice to wear at a rodeo. They did look at us weird, even boo'd when we went up.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I had miss Dally's entire ride, when I tuned back in he was grinning and standing with an arm up, he was cocky.

When they called Soda's name not only did Maya reach out and grab my wrist tightly, but my shoulders tensed and I was completely focused in.

Soda nodded and once again the shoot was pulled open, the bull bucking its way out.

Soda held on so tight I could see the whites of his knuckles from where I was sitting.

I glanced at the clock it was 7.8 seconds as soon as I looked back at Soda time seemed to freeze. His body flew forward as the bull reared his head back, knocking Soda right in the ribs.

Soda twisted his body and let go, the next spin the bull took, threw off Soda. The wheat haired boy hit the ground and before the clowns could get the bull away, one leg came right back down on Soda's ribs.

Soda laid on the ground holding his abdomen, eyes squeezed shut. We were all standing on our feet in shock.

The ring men called for the ambulance and they brought over a stretcher to get Soda out of the dirt and to the hospital.

Darry blindly tossed me the keys, "I'm going down there. Meet us at the hospital, I guarantee that's where they take him."

Dally was standing on the fence and Steve had just jumped over joining his buddy.

"Dallas! Come with us!" I yelled out. Johnny and Pony got in each side of Two-Bit and helped him up. I grabbed Maya by the arm and we made our way to the truck.

The emergency medics would allow two people to be in the ambulance with Soda so I didn't worry about waiting for Steve.

We got to the hospital a few minutes after Soda was admitted.

"He broke four ribs, bruised some, and has a minor concussion. None of the breaks punctured his lungs or heart, but if he isn't careful they could." Steve explained to us.

"Can we see him?" Maya asked, she had her arms tightly crossed and a glare on her face.

Steve made a face and looked around as if asking for help, "Well, uh, Soda said to not let you see him until you've calmed down. Are you calm?"

I winced, wrong move, Steve, wrong move.

"Am I calm?" Maya laughed humorously, "My little brother was almost killed by a bull that he stupidly rode and you are asking if I'm calm?"

Steve looked slightly scared and he looked at all of us.

"Maya, what if we went and checked out all the vending machines," Pony said pulling Maya away from the group.

"He is so stupid! Mom and Dad didn't let him bull ride for this exact reason!" Maya ranted as they walked down the hall.

"Peyton, Soda wants to see you."

I looked away from Pong and Maya's retreating figures and to Darry, he was smiling gently at me with tired eyes. I nodded and he led me back to Soda's room.

Soda laid on the bed, he wore hospital gown and had obviously wrapping on his ribs.

"Hey Sodapop." I grin sitting down next to the bed.

Soda looked at me with his big brown eyes and I part of my heart flew into my throat. Even in a hospital bed he was managing to steal my heart.

"I've gotta be honest, Peyton-"

My heart skipped and I so desperately needed to hear the words that were going to come out of his mouth.

"Oh, Soda! Are you okay? I came as soon as I heard!" The shrill voice made me want to throw up, Sandy may have been middle class, but she had the demeanor Soc if I'd ever seen one.

"I'll let you two be," I say standing up from the chair. Sandy was on the other side fluffing Soda's pillows.

Soda frowned and looked at me as I walked out of the room.

"Thanks! Soda needs his rest." Sandy called. I let the door close behind me, sighing deeply.

"Well, Soda will have to stay the night for observation. Y'all can still stay at the house if you need, but Pony and I are staying with Soda." Darry was telling gang in the waiting room.

We stayed at the hospital for a little bit longer discussing all the details with Darry. Soda was gonna have to take a few days off of work, without telling anyone I decided to go to the owner of the DX first thing and ask to cover his shifts and give the paycheck back to the Curtis'.

Two-Bits birthday had been quite the occasion and part of me wished that Soda and I were in the room for just a few more seconds.