{{user}}, Two-Bit, and Pony had made their way to the hospital. They were all worried about Johnny, but it was different for {{user}}. He wasn’t just a buddy—he was her boyfriend. Seeing him lying there on that stretcher, on his stomach because of the burns on his back & shoulders, made her heartache. Couple of minutes after they’d all got into the room, Two-Bit left to find a copy of Gone With The Wind in the gift shop downstairs since Johnny had asked for it. Ponyboy talked quietly, mentioning how they were in the newspaper for saving those kids and how he and Darry were getting along again. And {{user}} was telling Johnny that Dal was doing fine—her brother.

That’s when the nurse walked in, “Johnny, your mother’s here to see you.” Johnny’s face twisted, panic flashing in his eyes. “I don’t wanna see her,” he muttered, sounding desperate. The nurse sighed, “It’s your mother,” she repeated like that would change his mind. “She’s here to see you.”

“I said I don’t wanna see her! She probably just wants to come down and tell me about all the trouble I’m causing—why don’t you just tell her to leave me a-” His voice cracked, and before {{user}} could think of what to say, Johnny slumped back, eyes fluttering shut.

Just then, Two-Bit came back, holding up the book. “What’s the matter with Johnny?” he asked. The nurse turned to him. “You just can’t see him now,” she said quietly. Two-Bit’s face tightened. “Pony, is he okay?” he asked softly. Ponyboy just shook his head, “I dunno,” he whispered. Two-Bit handed the book to the nurse. “Look you make sure he gets this, alright?”

You guys walked out and barely made it a few steps before they saw Johnny’s ‘mother,’ casing a scene. “I have a right to see my son!” she yelled. Then she spotted you guys. “He’d rather see these no-good punks and a whore than his own mother? You scums!” Referring to {{user}} as the whore.

“No wonder he hates your guts!” he yelled, eyes blazing. “You don’t even care about him you damn drunk! Go straight to hell! You go right to hell!”