...Perfect Catch...
Chapter 11 – Stop & Stare
Ronnie and Roxy arrived at the hospital early on Friday morning. They weren't allowed to go in and see Archie until the doctor had went over a few things with them. As they were waiting in the waiting room Ronnie's phone went off. She took it out her bag to see Jack's name flashing on the screen, she rejected the call and turned her phone off as the nurses give her funny looks.
"Why aren't they letting us in", Roxy said starting to get annoyed.
"The nurse said we have to see the doctor first", Ronnie said soothingly.
"You don't care do you", Roxy said angrily, "You want dad dead".
"You know Rox yeah I do", Ronnie said frustrated, "Part of me wants him dead but the other part of me wants him alive".
"You're sick", Roxy said tearfully, "You're not my sister". Roxy stormed off down the corridor.
"Roxy!", Ronnie shouted chasing after her, "I'm sorry".
"No you're not", Roxy shouted, "All you care about is yourself".
"That's not true and you know it", Ronnie shouted back, "All the stuff I've done for you over the past couple of months".
"Everything okay here girls", a doctor said as he walked down the corridor.
"It will be", Ronnie said as Roxy stayed silent and sat on the floor.
"Can I help you two with anything", the doctor added.
"Yeah...it's our dad he was bought in last night after a car accident", Ronnie explained.
"Archie Mitchell", the doctor asked prompting Roxy to look up.
"Yeah that's him", Roxy said standing up, "Can we see him".
"This way", the doctor said leading the girls back through to the waiting room, "Wait here a minute and I see if he's okay for visitors".
"Thank you", Roxy said smiling at doctor prompting the doctor to smile back. Roxy gripped Ronnie's hand as a way of apologising.
A couple of minutes later the doctor came back and let Ronnie and Roxy go through. As they entered the room Roxy let go off Ronnie's hand and ran over to the side of her dad's bed tears rolling down her face, Ronnie just stood back looking at Archie...she felt nothing.
"Daddy...daddy...it's me", Roxy said holding Archie's hand, "Squeeze my hand if you can hear me".
Ronnie's eyes were drawn to Roxy and Archie's hands entwined. After a couple of minutes Archie squeezed Roxy's hand and mumbled.
"You hear that Ron", Roxy said happily.
"Yeah I heard it", Ronnie said still keeping her distance.
"Roxy is that you", Archie said weakly slowly opening his eyes.
"Yeah it's me", Roxy said happily, "Ronnie's here too".
"Hi dad", Ronnie said quietly.
"Why am I here...what happened", Archie said struggling to sit up.
"I get the doctor", Roxy said kissing her dad on the cheek and leaving the room.
"Bet your loving this", Archie said nastily.
"Yeah cos' I want two parents dead", Ronnie snapped back, "As much as I hate you I don't want Roxy growing up without you...she thinks the world of you".
"You don't really hate me", Archie said hotly.
"Then you don't know me at all", Ronnie said raising her voice.
"I know you better than you think Veronica", Archie said making Ronnie laugh sarcastically.
"I know what you done", Ronnie said angrily glaring at her dad, "I know you drove mum to her grave. I know you killed my son and I know you hit me cos' it gives you power...you're a coward".
"Well aren't we going to have fun when we get home", Archie said smugly.
"Then I'll just make sure I'm not in alone with you", Ronnie said angrily.
"Right", the doctor said walking in with Roxy, "Let's check you over Mr Mitchell".
"I'm going to get some coffee", Ronnie said fighting back tears and leaving the room.
"What's up with her?", Roxy asked.
"I don't know what goes on inside your sisters screwed up head", Archie replied.
...
It had just turned 6 o'clock and Ronnie and Roxy had been home for half an hour after being at the hospital all day. Roxy was over-the-moon knowing that her dad would be coming home in next the couple of days, whereas Ronnie wanted him to stay in hospital as long as possible even if it did mean looking after her little sister for longer. Ronnie sat down on the settee next to Roxy who was watching The Simpson's.
"You can go and see your boyfriend if you want", Roxy said noticing Ronnie flicking through her phone.
"Nah!", Ronnie said closing the phone, "You're more important".
"Well if you're sure", Roxy replied before turning her attention back to the television.
...
Meanwhile, Jack, Max, Steve, Carol & Tanya were heading over to the club.
"I'm sure she'll be there bruv", Max said patting Jack on the back.
"Maybe I should knock on her", Jack said looking over at her house.
"Just leave it", Steve said, "It's your big day...even if she doesn't come you'll enjoy it".
"Just cos' your jealous Ronnie picked Jack over you", Tanya said making everyone laugh.
"Am not", Steve said quietly, "Anyways your under age Tan, you shouldn't be coming".
"Shut up will ya", Max said pushing pass Steve and putting his arm around Tanya who shoved it off.
"I'm still not talking to you", Tanya said leaving Max standing there gobsmacked.
"You're face has fallen Max", Steve said pushing Max, making him move.
...
Ronnie looked up at the clock...9 o'clock. She really wanted to go to the party but she didn't want to leave her sister. As she sat there miserable Roxy was laughing at the TV and was surprised at Ronnie sitting there as though someone had smacked her in the face.
"Go out will ya", Roxy said annoyed, "At least it would put a smile on your face".
"I can't leave you Rox", Ronnie replied.
"What you missing out on?", Roxy said muting the TV.
"Nothing", Ronnie said looking at Roxy who was giving her a 'yeah right' look, "Okay...It's Jacks 18th birthday party thing down at the club".
"And you're stuck in here", Roxy said, "I would be straight there if it was me".
"Good job I'm not you", Ronnie replied.
"He won't be your boyfriend for long then", Roxy said trying to wind up Ronnie, "That Leanne will have her hands all over him".
"How do you know about that", Ronnie asked alarmed.
"I heard you on the phone to Rachel and Ruby about her and not the mention yesterday when you were with Jack", Roxy replied.
"Ease dropper", Ronnie said angrily".
"I won't tell dad if that's what you're worried about", Roxy said staring at Ronnie.
"I don't know", Ronnie replied, "What would I wear".
Roxy sat and thought for a while before running upstairs. "You coming to get dressed or not", Roxy shouted making Ronnie go upstairs with an enormous smile on her face.
...
Over at the club Jack and Steve were at the bar getting the next round of drinks in when a tall blonde girl in a short red dress walked over and tapped Jack on the back.
Jack turned round, "Hi Leanne...you look nice".
"You don't look to bad your-self", Leanne said smiling back.
"Thanks", Jack replied smiling.
"Happy birthday", Leanne added kissing Jack on the cheek, "No Ronnie".
"No", Jack replied, "Fancy a drink".
"Vodka and coke", Leanne said to the barman.
"See you later mate", Steve said winking at Jack prompting Jack to shack his head.
...
"You look stunning sis", Roxy said as Ronnie walked into the room with her favourite little black dress, "He won't know what's hit him".
"Thanks sis", Ronnie replied picking her bag up off the bed, "You sure I look okay".
"Just go will ya", Roxy said dragging Ronnie down stairs, "Don't be too late".
"You sure you'll be okay", Ronnie said.
"Just go", Roxy replied pushing Ronnie out the door, "And have fun".
Ronnie kissed Roxy on the cheek, "Thank you".
Ronnie slowly walked along to the club. As she reached the door her stomach was in knots, all she could think about is Jack's face and what to say to him. She kept rehearsing things over and over in her head. After a few minutes Ronnie composed her-self, let out a big sigh and walked down the stairs. As she came into the club she looked around and saw Max, Tanya, Carol and Steve sitting down drinking and laughing but no Jack. Ronnie was about to turn round when she saw Jack out of the corner of her eye. A tear rolled down her face as her heart sunk. She turned around and ran out of the club, her heart broken.
"I told you I could get you to forget about Ronnie", Leanne said smugly breaking from the kiss. Jack didn't say anything, just pulled Leanne back and kissed her passionately.