Disclaimer
Kim Possible is a registered trademark of Disney Inc. I have no rights to any of the characters. And they have no rights to me.
Providence
A Kim Possible Story
By falfurrian
Chapter 9
Kim lay in bed with her eyes closed, not moving. She did not want to talk to anyone. Her head throbbed and her wrist was heavy. But most of all she was mad. Mad at Josh for driving like an idiot, and mad at herself for not paying more attention. Her mom had told her Josh was fine and did not need to stay in the hospital. 'That boy!' If she had listened to Monique, she would not be in this bed. 'I'm going to pound that Josh Monkey when I see him.'
"Kimmie, you awake?" her Dad asked. "Yea, Dad." She rolled over toward the window and her father. Kim's Dad was sitting in a chair moved close to her bed. He was smiling at her but his eyes were puffy and red. She had not seen her dad cry very often. "I'm okay Dad." "I know Kim, I've got ... well, ... I love you honey." "I love you too, Daddy." Her father leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"Knock, knock! Breakfast is here," said the nurse as she entered the room. Surprisingly, it smelled good to Kim. Eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee. Kim didn't understand the attraction to coffee, but enjoyed the smell. "Can you sit up Miss Possible?" "Please, call me Kim." "Okay, Kim." Kim pushed herself up using one arm. It was hard not using both. Her head was throbbing. "Oh man does my head hurt." "I think the doctor left orders for pain medication. I'll let your nurse know." "Please and thank you." Kim managed, not felling either. After some pain meds, she might feel more thankful.
"Dad, you want this coffee?" "Oh, that would be swell." He took the coffee in both hands and drank deeply. Her Dad was looking out the window, as if lost in thought. Kim started eating her breakfast. It smelled better than it tasted but she was hungry. "Miss Possible?" said the nurse from the door. A well build man in his early 20's with a short pony-tail entered with a tiny paper cup in his hand. "How are you feeling this morning?" He sat the cup on her table and began taking the pressure cuff off the wall, wrapping it around her arm. His hands moved with ease and confidence as the collected his needed information. Pressure and temperature were normal. Pulse good. "This is your pain medication, take it with some water or milk if you'd prefer." Kim took the pills and swallowed them with some water. The nurse smiled at Kim turned and left the room.
"He was kind'a cute," Kim said, hoping to get a reaction out of her Dad. He was always so predictable. "What? Did you say something?" "Dad, are you okay? You seem a little distracted. You remind me of Ron." Kim's father did not answer. Kim knew something else was wrong. "What is it dad, what's wrong?"
"I was hoping to wait 'til later to tell you," Kim's Dad looked worried. "It's Ronald dear. He was also hurt last night." Kim's heart skipped a beat. "How is he, can I see him?" Kim was halfway out of bed before her father gently stopped her. "He's in intensive care. They might not let you see him just yet." Kim reluctantly got back in bed. She wanted to see him! 'Mom can get me in there.' "What's wrong with him, how did he get hurt?" "All I really know is that he has a head injury and he's been unconscious since he got here." Kim covered her mouth as tears formed. Then she put her arms out to hug her father.
"Knock, knock." Kim's mother said from the door. "Are you decent?" "Come on in dear," her husband said. Kim had here head buried in his shoulder. He said in a soft voice, "I just told her about Ronald." Behind Kim's mother were Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable. Kim looked up and saw all of them, "How is Ron?" she said hopefully. "No change honey, he has still not awake," her mother answered. Kim's Dad moved out of the way so his wife could hold their daughter. Kim cried a little harder when her mother took her in her arms. "Can I see him? Can I see Ron?" "Not just yet." The Stoppables smiled at Kim. "I'm glade you're doing better. We have been worried about you." Kim reached out and took Ron's mother's hand, squeezing is gently. Mrs. Stoppable's eyes glistened anew.
"Kim, do you feel up to answering some questions about last night?" "Sure Mom." "We're going to get some coffee. Can we bring you anything?" said Mr. Stoppable as he led his wife out of the room. "No thank you, we're fine." They left the Possibles alone to talk with their daughter.
"First, let's talk about your ride home." Kim's mother did not sound angry, only determined. "Why did you let that boy drive you home?" Kim told them how she did not want to wait for Monique to leave and thought it would be okay for her to get a ride home with Josh. "Kim, did you notice anything unusual about Josh last night?" "He acted a little funny, but when I asked him about it he said he was sick. That his stomach was bothering him." "SICK!" Then much more quietly between clenched teeth, "that fool was high as a kit." "Josh, stoned?" "Yes. And he had been drinking too. That's most likely why he only had a few scratches on him." 'I am definitely going to pound him, or worse, thought Kim. "Isn't he the boy who asked you to the Spring Dance? The one you and Ron were buying the dress for?" "He was. But I sort of told him last night I didn't want to go with him, to the dance." "And you still got him to give you a ride home? I don't think that was very smart, Kimmie." "Yea, Monique said the same thing. I guess Ron was right about him all along."
Kim remembered her friend and had to fight the urge to run find him. Kim's mom was silent, thinking. "Ah, Mom. What's the sitch with Ron? Dad said he was hurt, bad. But I still don't have any details." "Well, we were hoping you might be able to help with that." "Dear, will you go get the Stoppables. I'm sure there are just around the corner in the seating area."
Ron's parents and her dad returned in short order. Mrs. Stoppable spoke first, "Are you sure you feel up to talking?" she asked Kim. "I'm okay." With this information she continued, "Was Ron at the party with you last night?" "No. I didn't see him at all." "That's strange. You see, Ron asked me to take him to a party on Chicago Street. We, ..hmm ... were upset with Ron because of his behavior at Temple and later at dinner. You know how he gets when he's anxious to do something. I think he really wanting to see you, Kim. Anyway, I drive him to this party about 8:30. He asked me to let him off a couple of houses down. When I asked him why, he said it was not 'cool' to have your parents drop you off." "That's the party Monique and I were at! I left the party about 9:30 so Ron was there for an hour." Kim paused for a second, then, "WAIT! Right before we left I thought I heard Ron yell my name! It must have been him! The music was real load and I asked a couple of people if they heard him, but they all said no. I just assumed it was the music."
Kim's mom continued the story for the benefit of Kim and her husband. "Well, this is were it gets a little strange. According to the police, Ron called 911 about 11:00 from a payphone on Highway 25, 20 miles south of town. When they found him he didn't have any ID, or money, or his shoes." "His shoes? That's odd," said Mr. Possible. "Well, some people steal shoes, you know the high end, pricey kind," Kim informed him. Ron's mother spoke up, "Ron's shoes were anything, but 'High-end.' I have been trying to get him to buy new ones ever since the sole starting peeling loose. That was 6 months ago!"
Mr. Stoppable put his arm around his wife and nodded to Kim's mom to continue. "He was unconscious when they found him. The ambulance driver thought he might have been drinking, because of the way he smelled. However, there was no trace of alcohol in his system." Kim's mother looked at her daughter sternly, "Was there alcohol at that party last night?" "I only saw a little. Randy's parents were there, I promise."
"Anyway, from the glass we removed from the back of Ron's head, it looked like someone had hit him from behind with a bottle. Probably how he picked up the smell." "So Ron was hit in the head? Is that how he was injured?" "Yes dear. He may have been in a fight. He uhm, ... had some bruising too."
"A fight? That doesn't sound like Ron." "Well, it fits with some other information I have. Please don't repeat this, but about 10:30, a boy was seen by the ER doctor for an extremely disfigured nose. He told me the boy didn't want to be seen and was anxious to leave. Even after he explained to the boy and his mother that it was imperative he receive treatment to prevent gross disfigurement, the boy wanted to leave." "Do you know his name?" Kim asked. "John Higgins." "I know John! He's a big guy. Plays on the football team. He was at the party last night. Did he say how it happened?" "Said he ran into a tree. Dr. Kidding didn't believe him but he stuck to his story." "Well, he's a person to talk with. He never had anything kind to say to Ron, that's for sure."
"Later, another boy shows up. Randy Hemp." They all exchanged surprised looks. "It was his party last night! He's always picking on Ron. Calls him names ... and stuff." Kim spoke, anger building in her voice as she remembered the flyer. "Randy is real big. Bigger than John." "Well, he looked like he had been in a fight also. He was treated for a broken wrist. Dr. Kidding said Randy didn't want to stay either. Kept telling his mom he wanted to see their family doctor on Monday. Monday! He was in real pain too. The wrist was not only broken, it was crushed." "What excuse did he give?" "Wrestling with friends. That might've been believable if he didn't have two black eyes."
This was all very interesting, but it was doing nothing for Kim's anxiety about her friend. "Can I go see Ron know?" The pain medication had reduced her headache to a dull throb and she didn't even notice her wrist. She pleaded with her eyes for them to let her go. Kim's mom and dad looked at each other and then at the Stoppables. They all nodded at each other in agreement. "Okay Kim, but just for a little while. I don't want you getting too worked-up. You need your rest too."
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Kim walked into the Intensive Care Unit with her mom and Mrs. Stoppable. She had changed into the clean clothes her dad had brought from home. She pushed past the two chairs by Ron's bed and stood next to him. He lay on his back, eyes closed, breathing regularly. He was pale, but it might have just been the lighting. The monitor was beeping softly, showing his pulse, blood pressure, oxygen content, and temperature. All looked normal. The bandage on the back of his head showed some signs of bleeding. The right side of his face was swollen and purple.
Kim reached over and took his exposed hand into hers. His arm was badly bruised also. She kept waiting for him to squeeze her hand. Tears started falling unchecked from her cheeks. She spoke softly, "Ron, can you hear me? Ron, it's me, Kim. What happened to you? It looks like you tried to save the world without me. You know you shouldn't do that. Oh Ron, please be okay!" Her tears turned to sobs as she puller his hand to her face. He looked so vulnerable and she felt so helpless.
After a minute, Kim's mom walked up behind her daughter and put her arm around Kim's shoulder. She gently released Ron's hand and hugged her mom. Mrs. Stoppable had brought up another chair. The ICU nurse quietly trying to explain that she could not have all those chair around her son. The complaining stopped when she saw Dr. Possible.
The three of them took seats next to Ron. Dr. Possible sat between Kim and Ron's mother. All three quiet. Nothing had changed about Ron's condition. Kim held her mother's hand. None of them talked very much. Kim was happy to be with Ron and the two mothers seemed content to be with their children.
About 11:30, Mr. Stoppable and Kim's dad entered the ICU. "Has there been any change?" Ron's dad asked putting his hand on his son's. "No change honey." "Which can be a good sign," Dr. Possible added. "Dear, you need to eat something. All of you do. How about I stay here with Ron while you all get a bite?" "Food does sound like a good idea," Kim's mother said. "When was the last time you ate?" she added looking at Ron's mother. "Dinner last night." Kim's mother rose from her chair and stood beside Mr. Stoppable, "It's time for some food. Doctor's orders." "Mom, I'm not very hungry and the food here is offal. Could I stay her with Ron and you bring me back something eatable?" "Kim, you need your rest too." "Oh mom, please. I'm resting just fine right here. This way all of you could get something to eat. Even Mr. Stoppable." "What do you think," Kim's mom said looking for input from the others. "I think it will be alright if she stays with Ron." "Sounds good." "Yea, the food is offal here."
The patents left quietly, looking over their shoulders once to see if anything had changed before leaving ICU. Kim was relieved moving her chair up close to Ron. She took his hand again. "Well Ron it's just you and I again. You know, you can't stay like this too long. We have a dance to go to."
As she studied his very familiar face she noticed his eyes had begun to move. He was in REM sleep. It was a change! Something was going on inside his head! She held his hand tight. "I'm here Ron. Keep fighting." The minutes began slipping by as Kim watched her friend intently.
He stood on a small, broad boat. He was dressed in a white garment tied about his middle with a plain white sash. He looked out over the Nile River. Brown and gold reeds were moving by close to the boat. The water was a green and rocked the boat ever so slightly. Abraham stood on his right, his face not distinguishable. His bright white robes were trimmed in gold. On his left was Kim looking radiant in her white dress. 'Can she stay?' Ron thought looking to Abraham. 'I want her to stay.' 'She can nor more leave you than you leave her. Your love for each other has bound you both together.' Ron turned and smiled at his best friend, his wonderful friend, his soul mate. 'Therefore shall a man leave him father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be one ....' Ron took Kim's hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Kim wanted to squeal with delight when she felt Ron's hand close around hers. Nothing had ever felt more rewarding. "Ron, can you hear me? Ron, it's me Kim." She was on here feet, watching his face closely. The beeps from the monitor seemed to be coming more frequently.
Ron rolled his head toward the sound of Kim's voice. Everything was dark. Was he still dreaming? "Ron! Ron! Oh, thank you. Dear God thank you!" Ron opened his eyes. They beheld the most beautiful young woman in the world standing over him. "Kim?" he spoke in a weak, cracking voice. Kim couldn't take it any longer; she bent over him, placing her head on his covered check and hugged Ron, trying to hold him tight without hurting him. "Ron! We have been so worried about you! You have been out for a long time. I didn't know when you were going to wake up."
"Kim, I ... most wonderful dream," Ron said through dry lips. "You were standing next to me ... most beautiful white dress." Ron smiled and his thoughts drifted back. Kim ignored his words. "Ron, how do you feel?" Ron opened his eyes again and began to take stock oh himself. "I hurt in my head and a lot of other places." Looking up at the ceiling he wondered 'Where am I anyway?' Then spoke, "This doesn't look like my room." Kim had tears rolling down her cheeks. "Hey there, don't cry. Everything is going to be okay." Ron said confidently, if not weak. He tried to move his hand but found that someone was holding on tightly.
Kim wiped at her tears with her shoulder. "Ron, you are in the Intensive Care Unit at Middleton Hospital." "How did I get here? I don't ..." Ron fell silent as the previous nights evens slowly began to take shape. Kim waited patently as she watched the emotion on Ron's face change. Finally, "Kim, you can't go to the dance with Josh. He smokes pot." It took a lot of energy for Ron to say this. He caught his breath. "I know you probably don't believe me but ..." Kim smiled at her friend and put her hand on his lips to keep him from rambling on. "Yes, Ron. I do believe you." Kim shifted her position moving her left arm into Ron's view. "Kim your hurt." Ron said with slow surprise. "Are you okay? What happened?" The concern in his voice so genuine it made Kim feel loved. She looked at her new cast, not sure how to tell Ron what happened. "So not the drama." Ron mustered all his strength and shifted under the covers to make room for Kim to sit down. "Sit down Kim, rest. Tell me what happened." Kim lowered the bed rail and did as she was asked. His brown eyes filled with concern. "Ron, really, I'm all right. It is you that needs the rest." "I'm resting, spill." She sighed. Ron was not going to let this go.
"Is he awake?" the ICU nurse asked walking deliberately towards her patient. "Yes he is!" Kim answered. The nurse's face showed she did not approve of her sitting on the bed but Kim was not going to move just yet. "How do you feel Mr. Stoppable?" "I hurt, pretty much all over, but most my head." "Well, that is understandable. Do you remember how you got here?" He looked at Kim then the nurse. "I'm not sure. I remember a ditch and a road, but that might have been a dream." "Okay, Mr. Stoppable, I'm going to get you some pain medication and notify your doctor you're awake.
Ron's head was really starting to hurt. "Okay Kim. Tell me about your wrist."
"Ron, there will be plenty of time for that. You just lay here and rest." "Okay KP." He closed his eyes to escape some of the pain. He moved his arm, touched Kim's back, around her body and then rested his hand on Kim's thigh. He squeezed it slightly. 'That's not a usual place for his to touch me! I wonder ...' Kim put her hand on his. She sat there until she saw the parents returning in a not so subtle rush.
Minutes later everyone was standing next to Ron's bed being quietly excited about his improved condition.
Ron sat up a little to hug his mom and dad. Each hugged him in turn, not able to speak through the tears. Kim's mom walked around to her side of the bed and gave Ron a gentle shoulder hug. She smiled at her daughter knowing she was pleased with the situation.
"They paged us over the PA. How are you feeling? Does your head hurt? Have they gotten you any pain medication? Can you move all your fingers and toes? The questions came fast, but Ron managed.
The nurse arrived with a syringe and injected it in the IV tubing port. "There, that should help the pain. It will also make you a bit sleepy." Dr. Possible looked at the nurse with questioning eyes. "Meperidine" was her response. "Thank you." Looking to Ron she added, "You will be feeling much better in a couple of minutes." "I hope so; my head is really pounding."
"By the way, is it anywhere close to lunchtime?"
Kim Possible is a registered trademark of Disney Inc. I have no rights to any of the characters. And they have no rights to me.
Providence
A Kim Possible Story
By falfurrian
Chapter 9
Kim lay in bed with her eyes closed, not moving. She did not want to talk to anyone. Her head throbbed and her wrist was heavy. But most of all she was mad. Mad at Josh for driving like an idiot, and mad at herself for not paying more attention. Her mom had told her Josh was fine and did not need to stay in the hospital. 'That boy!' If she had listened to Monique, she would not be in this bed. 'I'm going to pound that Josh Monkey when I see him.'
"Kimmie, you awake?" her Dad asked. "Yea, Dad." She rolled over toward the window and her father. Kim's Dad was sitting in a chair moved close to her bed. He was smiling at her but his eyes were puffy and red. She had not seen her dad cry very often. "I'm okay Dad." "I know Kim, I've got ... well, ... I love you honey." "I love you too, Daddy." Her father leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"Knock, knock! Breakfast is here," said the nurse as she entered the room. Surprisingly, it smelled good to Kim. Eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee. Kim didn't understand the attraction to coffee, but enjoyed the smell. "Can you sit up Miss Possible?" "Please, call me Kim." "Okay, Kim." Kim pushed herself up using one arm. It was hard not using both. Her head was throbbing. "Oh man does my head hurt." "I think the doctor left orders for pain medication. I'll let your nurse know." "Please and thank you." Kim managed, not felling either. After some pain meds, she might feel more thankful.
"Dad, you want this coffee?" "Oh, that would be swell." He took the coffee in both hands and drank deeply. Her Dad was looking out the window, as if lost in thought. Kim started eating her breakfast. It smelled better than it tasted but she was hungry. "Miss Possible?" said the nurse from the door. A well build man in his early 20's with a short pony-tail entered with a tiny paper cup in his hand. "How are you feeling this morning?" He sat the cup on her table and began taking the pressure cuff off the wall, wrapping it around her arm. His hands moved with ease and confidence as the collected his needed information. Pressure and temperature were normal. Pulse good. "This is your pain medication, take it with some water or milk if you'd prefer." Kim took the pills and swallowed them with some water. The nurse smiled at Kim turned and left the room.
"He was kind'a cute," Kim said, hoping to get a reaction out of her Dad. He was always so predictable. "What? Did you say something?" "Dad, are you okay? You seem a little distracted. You remind me of Ron." Kim's father did not answer. Kim knew something else was wrong. "What is it dad, what's wrong?"
"I was hoping to wait 'til later to tell you," Kim's Dad looked worried. "It's Ronald dear. He was also hurt last night." Kim's heart skipped a beat. "How is he, can I see him?" Kim was halfway out of bed before her father gently stopped her. "He's in intensive care. They might not let you see him just yet." Kim reluctantly got back in bed. She wanted to see him! 'Mom can get me in there.' "What's wrong with him, how did he get hurt?" "All I really know is that he has a head injury and he's been unconscious since he got here." Kim covered her mouth as tears formed. Then she put her arms out to hug her father.
"Knock, knock." Kim's mother said from the door. "Are you decent?" "Come on in dear," her husband said. Kim had here head buried in his shoulder. He said in a soft voice, "I just told her about Ronald." Behind Kim's mother were Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable. Kim looked up and saw all of them, "How is Ron?" she said hopefully. "No change honey, he has still not awake," her mother answered. Kim's Dad moved out of the way so his wife could hold their daughter. Kim cried a little harder when her mother took her in her arms. "Can I see him? Can I see Ron?" "Not just yet." The Stoppables smiled at Kim. "I'm glade you're doing better. We have been worried about you." Kim reached out and took Ron's mother's hand, squeezing is gently. Mrs. Stoppable's eyes glistened anew.
"Kim, do you feel up to answering some questions about last night?" "Sure Mom." "We're going to get some coffee. Can we bring you anything?" said Mr. Stoppable as he led his wife out of the room. "No thank you, we're fine." They left the Possibles alone to talk with their daughter.
"First, let's talk about your ride home." Kim's mother did not sound angry, only determined. "Why did you let that boy drive you home?" Kim told them how she did not want to wait for Monique to leave and thought it would be okay for her to get a ride home with Josh. "Kim, did you notice anything unusual about Josh last night?" "He acted a little funny, but when I asked him about it he said he was sick. That his stomach was bothering him." "SICK!" Then much more quietly between clenched teeth, "that fool was high as a kit." "Josh, stoned?" "Yes. And he had been drinking too. That's most likely why he only had a few scratches on him." 'I am definitely going to pound him, or worse, thought Kim. "Isn't he the boy who asked you to the Spring Dance? The one you and Ron were buying the dress for?" "He was. But I sort of told him last night I didn't want to go with him, to the dance." "And you still got him to give you a ride home? I don't think that was very smart, Kimmie." "Yea, Monique said the same thing. I guess Ron was right about him all along."
Kim remembered her friend and had to fight the urge to run find him. Kim's mom was silent, thinking. "Ah, Mom. What's the sitch with Ron? Dad said he was hurt, bad. But I still don't have any details." "Well, we were hoping you might be able to help with that." "Dear, will you go get the Stoppables. I'm sure there are just around the corner in the seating area."
Ron's parents and her dad returned in short order. Mrs. Stoppable spoke first, "Are you sure you feel up to talking?" she asked Kim. "I'm okay." With this information she continued, "Was Ron at the party with you last night?" "No. I didn't see him at all." "That's strange. You see, Ron asked me to take him to a party on Chicago Street. We, ..hmm ... were upset with Ron because of his behavior at Temple and later at dinner. You know how he gets when he's anxious to do something. I think he really wanting to see you, Kim. Anyway, I drive him to this party about 8:30. He asked me to let him off a couple of houses down. When I asked him why, he said it was not 'cool' to have your parents drop you off." "That's the party Monique and I were at! I left the party about 9:30 so Ron was there for an hour." Kim paused for a second, then, "WAIT! Right before we left I thought I heard Ron yell my name! It must have been him! The music was real load and I asked a couple of people if they heard him, but they all said no. I just assumed it was the music."
Kim's mom continued the story for the benefit of Kim and her husband. "Well, this is were it gets a little strange. According to the police, Ron called 911 about 11:00 from a payphone on Highway 25, 20 miles south of town. When they found him he didn't have any ID, or money, or his shoes." "His shoes? That's odd," said Mr. Possible. "Well, some people steal shoes, you know the high end, pricey kind," Kim informed him. Ron's mother spoke up, "Ron's shoes were anything, but 'High-end.' I have been trying to get him to buy new ones ever since the sole starting peeling loose. That was 6 months ago!"
Mr. Stoppable put his arm around his wife and nodded to Kim's mom to continue. "He was unconscious when they found him. The ambulance driver thought he might have been drinking, because of the way he smelled. However, there was no trace of alcohol in his system." Kim's mother looked at her daughter sternly, "Was there alcohol at that party last night?" "I only saw a little. Randy's parents were there, I promise."
"Anyway, from the glass we removed from the back of Ron's head, it looked like someone had hit him from behind with a bottle. Probably how he picked up the smell." "So Ron was hit in the head? Is that how he was injured?" "Yes dear. He may have been in a fight. He uhm, ... had some bruising too."
"A fight? That doesn't sound like Ron." "Well, it fits with some other information I have. Please don't repeat this, but about 10:30, a boy was seen by the ER doctor for an extremely disfigured nose. He told me the boy didn't want to be seen and was anxious to leave. Even after he explained to the boy and his mother that it was imperative he receive treatment to prevent gross disfigurement, the boy wanted to leave." "Do you know his name?" Kim asked. "John Higgins." "I know John! He's a big guy. Plays on the football team. He was at the party last night. Did he say how it happened?" "Said he ran into a tree. Dr. Kidding didn't believe him but he stuck to his story." "Well, he's a person to talk with. He never had anything kind to say to Ron, that's for sure."
"Later, another boy shows up. Randy Hemp." They all exchanged surprised looks. "It was his party last night! He's always picking on Ron. Calls him names ... and stuff." Kim spoke, anger building in her voice as she remembered the flyer. "Randy is real big. Bigger than John." "Well, he looked like he had been in a fight also. He was treated for a broken wrist. Dr. Kidding said Randy didn't want to stay either. Kept telling his mom he wanted to see their family doctor on Monday. Monday! He was in real pain too. The wrist was not only broken, it was crushed." "What excuse did he give?" "Wrestling with friends. That might've been believable if he didn't have two black eyes."
This was all very interesting, but it was doing nothing for Kim's anxiety about her friend. "Can I go see Ron know?" The pain medication had reduced her headache to a dull throb and she didn't even notice her wrist. She pleaded with her eyes for them to let her go. Kim's mom and dad looked at each other and then at the Stoppables. They all nodded at each other in agreement. "Okay Kim, but just for a little while. I don't want you getting too worked-up. You need your rest too."
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Kim walked into the Intensive Care Unit with her mom and Mrs. Stoppable. She had changed into the clean clothes her dad had brought from home. She pushed past the two chairs by Ron's bed and stood next to him. He lay on his back, eyes closed, breathing regularly. He was pale, but it might have just been the lighting. The monitor was beeping softly, showing his pulse, blood pressure, oxygen content, and temperature. All looked normal. The bandage on the back of his head showed some signs of bleeding. The right side of his face was swollen and purple.
Kim reached over and took his exposed hand into hers. His arm was badly bruised also. She kept waiting for him to squeeze her hand. Tears started falling unchecked from her cheeks. She spoke softly, "Ron, can you hear me? Ron, it's me, Kim. What happened to you? It looks like you tried to save the world without me. You know you shouldn't do that. Oh Ron, please be okay!" Her tears turned to sobs as she puller his hand to her face. He looked so vulnerable and she felt so helpless.
After a minute, Kim's mom walked up behind her daughter and put her arm around Kim's shoulder. She gently released Ron's hand and hugged her mom. Mrs. Stoppable had brought up another chair. The ICU nurse quietly trying to explain that she could not have all those chair around her son. The complaining stopped when she saw Dr. Possible.
The three of them took seats next to Ron. Dr. Possible sat between Kim and Ron's mother. All three quiet. Nothing had changed about Ron's condition. Kim held her mother's hand. None of them talked very much. Kim was happy to be with Ron and the two mothers seemed content to be with their children.
About 11:30, Mr. Stoppable and Kim's dad entered the ICU. "Has there been any change?" Ron's dad asked putting his hand on his son's. "No change honey." "Which can be a good sign," Dr. Possible added. "Dear, you need to eat something. All of you do. How about I stay here with Ron while you all get a bite?" "Food does sound like a good idea," Kim's mother said. "When was the last time you ate?" she added looking at Ron's mother. "Dinner last night." Kim's mother rose from her chair and stood beside Mr. Stoppable, "It's time for some food. Doctor's orders." "Mom, I'm not very hungry and the food here is offal. Could I stay her with Ron and you bring me back something eatable?" "Kim, you need your rest too." "Oh mom, please. I'm resting just fine right here. This way all of you could get something to eat. Even Mr. Stoppable." "What do you think," Kim's mom said looking for input from the others. "I think it will be alright if she stays with Ron." "Sounds good." "Yea, the food is offal here."
The patents left quietly, looking over their shoulders once to see if anything had changed before leaving ICU. Kim was relieved moving her chair up close to Ron. She took his hand again. "Well Ron it's just you and I again. You know, you can't stay like this too long. We have a dance to go to."
As she studied his very familiar face she noticed his eyes had begun to move. He was in REM sleep. It was a change! Something was going on inside his head! She held his hand tight. "I'm here Ron. Keep fighting." The minutes began slipping by as Kim watched her friend intently.
He stood on a small, broad boat. He was dressed in a white garment tied about his middle with a plain white sash. He looked out over the Nile River. Brown and gold reeds were moving by close to the boat. The water was a green and rocked the boat ever so slightly. Abraham stood on his right, his face not distinguishable. His bright white robes were trimmed in gold. On his left was Kim looking radiant in her white dress. 'Can she stay?' Ron thought looking to Abraham. 'I want her to stay.' 'She can nor more leave you than you leave her. Your love for each other has bound you both together.' Ron turned and smiled at his best friend, his wonderful friend, his soul mate. 'Therefore shall a man leave him father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be one ....' Ron took Kim's hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Kim wanted to squeal with delight when she felt Ron's hand close around hers. Nothing had ever felt more rewarding. "Ron, can you hear me? Ron, it's me Kim." She was on here feet, watching his face closely. The beeps from the monitor seemed to be coming more frequently.
Ron rolled his head toward the sound of Kim's voice. Everything was dark. Was he still dreaming? "Ron! Ron! Oh, thank you. Dear God thank you!" Ron opened his eyes. They beheld the most beautiful young woman in the world standing over him. "Kim?" he spoke in a weak, cracking voice. Kim couldn't take it any longer; she bent over him, placing her head on his covered check and hugged Ron, trying to hold him tight without hurting him. "Ron! We have been so worried about you! You have been out for a long time. I didn't know when you were going to wake up."
"Kim, I ... most wonderful dream," Ron said through dry lips. "You were standing next to me ... most beautiful white dress." Ron smiled and his thoughts drifted back. Kim ignored his words. "Ron, how do you feel?" Ron opened his eyes again and began to take stock oh himself. "I hurt in my head and a lot of other places." Looking up at the ceiling he wondered 'Where am I anyway?' Then spoke, "This doesn't look like my room." Kim had tears rolling down her cheeks. "Hey there, don't cry. Everything is going to be okay." Ron said confidently, if not weak. He tried to move his hand but found that someone was holding on tightly.
Kim wiped at her tears with her shoulder. "Ron, you are in the Intensive Care Unit at Middleton Hospital." "How did I get here? I don't ..." Ron fell silent as the previous nights evens slowly began to take shape. Kim waited patently as she watched the emotion on Ron's face change. Finally, "Kim, you can't go to the dance with Josh. He smokes pot." It took a lot of energy for Ron to say this. He caught his breath. "I know you probably don't believe me but ..." Kim smiled at her friend and put her hand on his lips to keep him from rambling on. "Yes, Ron. I do believe you." Kim shifted her position moving her left arm into Ron's view. "Kim your hurt." Ron said with slow surprise. "Are you okay? What happened?" The concern in his voice so genuine it made Kim feel loved. She looked at her new cast, not sure how to tell Ron what happened. "So not the drama." Ron mustered all his strength and shifted under the covers to make room for Kim to sit down. "Sit down Kim, rest. Tell me what happened." Kim lowered the bed rail and did as she was asked. His brown eyes filled with concern. "Ron, really, I'm all right. It is you that needs the rest." "I'm resting, spill." She sighed. Ron was not going to let this go.
"Is he awake?" the ICU nurse asked walking deliberately towards her patient. "Yes he is!" Kim answered. The nurse's face showed she did not approve of her sitting on the bed but Kim was not going to move just yet. "How do you feel Mr. Stoppable?" "I hurt, pretty much all over, but most my head." "Well, that is understandable. Do you remember how you got here?" He looked at Kim then the nurse. "I'm not sure. I remember a ditch and a road, but that might have been a dream." "Okay, Mr. Stoppable, I'm going to get you some pain medication and notify your doctor you're awake.
Ron's head was really starting to hurt. "Okay Kim. Tell me about your wrist."
"Ron, there will be plenty of time for that. You just lay here and rest." "Okay KP." He closed his eyes to escape some of the pain. He moved his arm, touched Kim's back, around her body and then rested his hand on Kim's thigh. He squeezed it slightly. 'That's not a usual place for his to touch me! I wonder ...' Kim put her hand on his. She sat there until she saw the parents returning in a not so subtle rush.
Minutes later everyone was standing next to Ron's bed being quietly excited about his improved condition.
Ron sat up a little to hug his mom and dad. Each hugged him in turn, not able to speak through the tears. Kim's mom walked around to her side of the bed and gave Ron a gentle shoulder hug. She smiled at her daughter knowing she was pleased with the situation.
"They paged us over the PA. How are you feeling? Does your head hurt? Have they gotten you any pain medication? Can you move all your fingers and toes? The questions came fast, but Ron managed.
The nurse arrived with a syringe and injected it in the IV tubing port. "There, that should help the pain. It will also make you a bit sleepy." Dr. Possible looked at the nurse with questioning eyes. "Meperidine" was her response. "Thank you." Looking to Ron she added, "You will be feeling much better in a couple of minutes." "I hope so; my head is really pounding."
"By the way, is it anywhere close to lunchtime?"
