From Weakness to Strength

Johnny's Letter

That night, once Darla and Two-Bit got the hospital, both Johnny and Dallas were carried to the morgue. 
Two-Bit never left Darla's side. Darla completely shattered her ankle and was told she'd have to stay the night. Darla refused a gown even though her clothes were dirty. But, when Two-Bit insisted she wore the gown, she gave in and decided to wear the gown. 

The next morning after a sleepless night, Darla had a cast put on her and  had to stay in the hospital for a whole week. She saw all the boys except Ponyboy who was sick. At the end of the week, the last day of being in the hospital, Ponyboy finally came to visit her. 
"Hey, Pone," said Darla. 
"Hey, how's your ankle?" Ponyboy asked. 
"Eh. It doesn't hurt unless I bang it against something," Darla replied. Pony let out a soft laugh. 
"Hey, look--uh, Johnny wrote a couple letters before he died. One for you and one for both of us and Dally, I guess," Ponyboy held a few sheets of paper in front of Darla, who snatched the papers briskly and sat up in her bed. 
The note read:

Ponyboy, Darla,
I asked the nurse to give you this book so y'all can finish it. It was worth saving those little kids. Their lives are worth more than mine. They have more to live for. Tell Dally I think it's worth it. I'm gonna miss you guys. I've been thinking about it, and the poem, that guy that wrote it. He meant you're gold when you're a kid. Like green. When you're a kid, everything's new. Dawn. Like the way you dig sunsets, Pony. And like you're love for all of us, Darla. That's gold. Keep it that way, it's a good way to be. I want you to ask Dally to look at one. I don't think he's ever seen a sunset. They're still lots of good in the world. Tell Dally I don't think he knows. 
-Your buddy, Johnny.
P.S. There's another letter that's for Darla. Give it to her as soon as you can. 

Darla couldn't believe that was what Johnny meant by "Stay Gold" but, she understood it a lot more. 
Ponyboy then gave Darla a separate letter. Darla unraveled the paper and started reading. 

Darla,
This letter was made just for you because I've been thinking...I never had the chance to really express the way I feel like you did after we watched the sunset in Windrixville. Well...here they are...I've been in love with you since the firs time we met, but guess what? So did the whole gang! But, these are my feelings, not theirs. With you, you brightened my days when they were cloudy. You kept me alive inside and made me a happier person. When we were up in Windrixville, looking at the sunset I wanted to take you in my arms, kiss you and tell you I love you. But, I was scared. Just like you were. I'm sorry I was unable to say this to you, but I hope you'll be able to say it to me every night like a prayer. I know you won't think I'll here it, but I promise I will. I know Dally will get mad at me for dying on you guys, but do me a favor and watch the sunset with him. Maybe that'll help him feel better. And make sure you're always with hum from now on since you one of the only people he could open up to. I want you to do that for the entire gang someday. I know they'd listen to you more than anyone. Help them realize the real beauty of this world. Please don't take yourself away from it. The gang can't lose another member. I hope that even though I won't be there, that you all stick together for the rest of your lives. I also wish that you don't hide anymore. Let your truth be known and don't be afraid to face the challenges that follow. Become a leader, a student at school, grow up to be who you want to be. Don't let the expectations of being a Greaser stop you. We will meet again soon...I promise. 
-With all my love,
Johnny
P.S. Happy birthday, Honeybear

Darla was bawling her eyes out, leaving a couple of tear stains on the note. 
"Are you okay?" Ponyboy asked, placing a hand on Darla's shoulder. 
"I'm fine," Darla replied, wiping her eyes. Ponyboy engulfed Darla in a tight embraced, which she gladly returned. Just then, the rest of the gang came in. 
"Hey kid, you ready to go?" asked Darry. 
"You better believe it," Darla replied. 
"Where are your crutches, kid?" asked Two-Bit. 
"On the side of the bed. Can you get them for me?" Darla asked as she pointed to the side of the bed where the crutches were leaning up against the side. 
"Here, we brought you clothes," said Soda pop. 
"And a shoe," Steve said with a snicker. Darla rolled her eyes. 
"You remembered which one to bring, right?"
"Yeah, the right one?" Steve asked. Darla gave him a pissed look. 
"I broke the left one you dumbass!" Darla exclaimed. 
"I know, I know. I'm just messing with ya, missy," Steve said, holding up the black leather boot, which was part of Darla's favorite pair of shoes. 
Darla got up, Two-Bit handed her the crutches and she headed to the bathroom. Soda handed her her clothes and Steve handed her the shoe. 

Darla put on the Mickey Mouse t-shirt that said "Love you to the Moon and Back", jeanshorts, and the leather jacket Dallas gave her last year. She fixed her hair into a low side ponytail then came out of the bathroom after putting on her boot. 
"Ready to go home?" asked Darry. 
"Yeah, let's get the hell out of here," Darla remarked. 

They checked out of the hospital and loaded up in Darry's truck. Darla got shotgun while the others either rode in back or in the trailer. 
"Hey guys?" Darla asked. 
"Yeah?" Darry, Ponyboy and soda said in unison. 
"My birthday was a week ago," 
Darry nearly slammed his breaks and everybody else froze. 
"Shit! We're sorry, Darla. We'll make it up, we promise," said Darry. 
"That's okay. You don't have to," Darla replied. 
"No. We will. And we're going to. In fact, let's go get some ice cream at the Tastee Freeze. You can pick whatever you want," Darry insisted. 
"Thank you, guys. Really. I don't know what I'd do without you guys," Darla said, her voice full of gratefulness. 
"We don't know what we'd do without you either, doll," Sodapop interject. 

They all stopped at the Tastee Freeze where Darla ordered herself a hot fudge sundae. The others got themselves a cone and they all sat by the benches enjoying their ice cream. 
Even though Darla had a lot on her mind, she wouldn't let that stop her from enjoying the day with her boys.