Chapter 10

"Ron Comes Home"

Kim drove over to Middleton Hospital still having the events of the previous night fresh on her mind. But, that was not important right now. What was important was seeing Ron walk out of the hospital and starting the first step in the road to recovery. At the same time, Josh was also at the hospital, eager to help Tara out as well. Once Kim arrived, she met Josh in the waiting room. Both Ron's family and Tara's family were also there, but they were with their children, who would soon be discharged.

"Glad you got here, Kim," remarked Josh as Kim sat down next to him. "They'll be out any minute. Can't wait to see Tara come out."

"I can't wait to see Ron come out," added Kim. "It will be nice for him to be out of the hospital."

Josh then noticed that Kim had a really distressed look on her face and up until this moment, he didn't know of what had happened to the individual who attacked them all. Before Josh could question her, Kim decided to come clean.

"Hey Josh, something happened last night at the prison concerning Eric," she said. "He…committed suicide last night."

Josh's eyes widened upon hearing this, but he wasn't surprised either. All he could think of was that Eric had taken the easy way out, not wanting to face the consequences of his actions.

"I'm not surprised," sighed Josh, bitterly. "He didn't have any guts to survive jail, Kim. Well, he can just rot in hell for all I care."

"It's not just that, Josh," explained Kim, looking over at him. "I went to the prison and admonished Eric for what he did. He tried to apologize, but it was too late for him. When I saw the hearse, I…I knew that I convinced him to kill himself."

Josh placed a hand on his ex-girlfriend's hand in a tender manner. As far as Josh was concerned, Kim was only at the prison to say her peace to Eric and basically told him to get out of her life forever.

"Kim, you didn't force him to commit suicide," said Josh, in a comforting voice. "He was a weasel and a coward who wanted power over anyone, including us. If I were you, I'd try to get him out of your mind."

Kim knew that was easier said than done. She couldn't get the events of what happened in the park out of her mind, no matter how hard she tried. In fact, she could still feel the breath of the synthrodrome pouring down on her from Eric's mouth. The sounds of Eric ripping the left strap of her dress continued to play like an endless record. No, she couldn't get this out of her mind.

But, the thoughts didn't last very long as Kim saw the love of her life being escorted out of his hospital room, his wounded arm clad in a sling. Rising up, Kim rushed over to hug Ron, but had to be careful with the injured arm.

"Kim, careful," winced Ron as Kim backed away. "The arm…it hurts!"

"Sorry," replied Kim, backing away. "I'm just glad to see you out of the hospital."

"Me too," remarked Ron, taking in a deep sigh. "It still kind of sucks that I have to be in a sling, though. Not to mention physical therapy as well."

"You'll get through this," chuckled Kim as they all walked out of the hospital. "I'll be there by your side while you are getting it done."

Ron smiled at this and kissed Kim on the cheek. However, Kim couldn't help but notice that Tara was still very much frightened. It had been several days since Eric's assault in the park and Kim felt as if Tara's road to recovery was going be much longer than Ron's.

"Poor Tara," whispered Kim with remorse and worry in her voice as Tara stayed looking down at the ground while she walked with Josh and her family. "I can only imagine what is going through her mind as well as my own."

"What do you mean?" asked Ron and Kim pulled Ron behind a nearby tree, much to the confusion of the Stoppable family. But, knowing that it was a private matter, they left Ron and Kim alone.

"Ron, there is something important I need to tell you," whispered Kim, talking in a low voice so that no one else could hear them. "Eric committed suicide last night."

Kim was expecting Ron to show a sense of shock to what she had told him, but to her surprise, Ron didn't show any shock at all.

"Well, that's one less person to worry about," retorted Ron. "If he even was a person to begin with, Kim. Guess he couldn't handle being inside a real life prison."

"There is something else," added Kim. "Something that I need to ask of you, Ron. I mean, I know you are not Catholic, but, do you think I convinced Eric to kill himself?"

Ron's eyes widened at this, surprised that Kim would even say such a thing. As far as he was concerned, Eric was a piece of lowlife scum that didn't even deserve to live, whether he was a human or a synthrodrome.

"I had to face him because he was expecting me to forgive him for what he did," replied Kim, quietly. "But, I didn't forgive him."

"But, what does that have to do with why we are talking behind a tree?" asked Ron. "Don't you think that everyone deserves to know the whole truth?"

"Some things are meant to be private, Ron," replied Kim. "But, what am I asking you is…what do you do when you are deeply conflicted with your thoughts?"

"Well, I usually go visit my synagogue's rabbi," answered Ron. "Perhaps maybe you should consider seeing your priest or whatever his name is."

Kim could see that Ron had the same answer as her parents. She knew that they were all right about her visiting someone from a higher power. It was the only way for her to confront the demons that had been plaguing her mind.

"Now, can we go so I can get back home?" asked Ron as Kim led him away from their hiding spot. "I need to take a nice, warm shower."

"Yes, of course, Ron," chuckled Kim, now realizing that she needed to do what needed to be done.

Fortunately, Kim would get her chance to visit the house of God and answer all of her questions the very next day at Sunday mass over at her church…