Chapter Five

That same night, a police officer had come by to talk to Ronnie, and Annie had sat with her through the questioning process. Ronnie had a hard time reliving the event again, but Annie held her hand through it all. She was also there for her the next day when a social worker from child services came to ask Ronnie some questions as well. Eric and Annie never left Ronnie's side. They alternated staying with her, as there were errands that needed to be run, as well as children at home to look after, but staying with Ronnie and loving her was one of their top priorities right now.


A week had passed and the doctors had said that Ronnie was recovering well, and the gunshot wound was closing up, and she'd be able to go home in a couple of days. Yet the predicament came up, one that Eric and Annie had been wondering about the last few days as they stayed with Ronnie. Where was her home? It was obvious she wouldn't be going back to Oakdale Drive. The police were already looking for Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, but according to Eric's friend, Officer Matthews, they were still at large. They couldn't be found. Eric and Annie worried for Ronnie's safety, knowing her parents were out there. They were worried about Ronnie's emotional state too. They didn't know where she'd be going after her stay at the hospital. Would she become a ward of the state? Would they send her to an orphanage, or a foster home, where she may encounter more abuse? Eric had heard many horror stories of children in foster homes with abusive foster parents. Eric and Annie hated the thought of Ronnie finding herself in a situation like that once again, especially after living 15 years through it.
The day before Ronnie would be released, Annie sat next to Ronnie's bed, as Ronnie slept. Ronnie was getting a lot of sleep, especially knowing her parents weren't going to wake her up and hit her. She found it easier to fall asleep, but she didn't tell this to the Camdens. She was too embarrassed.

Eric was out in the hallway, drinking some coffee, as a dark-haired woman with her hair pulled back into a tight bun approached the room with a briefcase.

"Hello." Eric greeted, recognizing her as the social worker who had come earlier in the week. She was probably coming to bring news about where Ronnie would be going.

"Hello again Reverend Camden. I've heard you and your wife have been staying with Ronnie while she recovers. It's been very kind of you. I'm here because I need to speak with Ronnie about where she'll be going tomorrow." The woman, who's name was Alice, said. Eric grimaced.

"She's asleep right now, actually. W-where will she be staying, if you don't mind me asking?" He asked. The woman sighed, as if angered, but she answered.

"Unfortunately, since this was such a last minute problem, she'll have to stay at a juvenile detention centre. It's a bit of a rough place. The teenagers there are tough, but it's the best place we can find for her right now. No group homes can take her right now, as they are all full. Personally, I think the detention centre is a horrible place for her to be, especially right after an incidence like this, but child services have no other place for her to go right now. There are no foster families who are interested in taking a 15-year-old girl who has just been through a traumatic experience. Honestly, people are so cold and heartless these days." Alice explained sadly. Eric was shocked. A juvenile detention centre? He'd heard of those. It wasn't jail, but a place where troubled teens went. He'd heard of a lot of trouble at those places. Stabbings, fist fights, and other horrible things had happened in those centres. The last thing he wanted was to see Ronnie there.

"Well, I don't want to wake her. Can you do me a favour? I know you've gotten close to her, probably closer than I have. Would you pass this information on to her? I'll be by tomorrow to pick her up." Alice extended her hand and Eric shook it, almost crying. What was he going to do?

He watched Alice walk away as he held his own tears back. He turned and walked back into the hospital room where Ronnie stirred slightly. Annie looked up at Eric with a smile, but the smile disappeared quickly when she saw the expression on his face. She could read him too well. She knew something was wrong.

"Eric? What's the matter?" She asked, fearing the worst. "Have the doctors told you something?" Eric shook his head sadly.

"Can I talk to you in the hall? I don't want to wake Ronnie." He said. Annie nodded and looked at Ronnie once more, before she followed Eric out into the hallway.

"What is it Eric? What's going on?" Annie asked again, as she crossed her arms. Eric sighed and hung his head.

"Alice came by. You know the social worker? She...she had news of where she'd be taking Ronnie tomorrow. She wants me to tell her." He explained as he gripped his hair in his hand. Annie swallowed hard. This wasn't going to be good news, and she knew it.

"Where are they taking her, Eric? Surely not back to the Jenkins." Annie feared, knowing some situations where the abused child was released back into the abusive situation. Eric shook his head.

"No, no she's not going back there, but...the only place they could find for her was...was a juvenile detention centre." He watched as Annie's mouth dropped open and she let out a small gasp, as tears began filling her eyes.

"Eric, no. We can't let her go. We have to stop this. What will happen to her there? She's not stable enough to deal with the stuff that happens at those places. It-it could destroy her. Nobody there will love and care for her. She'll have to fend for herself. Oh Eric, she needs to be loved. We can't let her go." Annie began crying, and Eric held her close.

"I know, but what can we do? No group homes would take her, and no foster families are interested in taking a 15-year-old who's just been through the experience she's been through. The only place they could find was the juvenile detention centre." He explained. Annie continued to cry as she peered over Eric's shoulder into Ronnie's room, where Ronnie was still asleep. Eric held Annie tightly as she cried. He noticed he was crying as well now. Lord, what am I going to do? I can't let her go there. But what can I do? God had never failed him before. He always gave him the answer he needed, not usually right away, which was why Eric was surprised when a most wonderful idea popped into his head right after his short prayer. He thought about it for a moment, as he held Annie, and just as he was about to share his idea with Annie, she pulled out of the embrace and looked at him with desperate eyes.

"Eric, we have to take her. We have to take her home with us. That's the only thing that makes sense to me." She said quietly, as she stared at Eric with sad eyes. Eric looked at her for only a moment, shocked at her suggestion.

"I-I know it sounds crazy Eric, but a juvenile detention centre? W-we can't let her." She said, but he took her hands in his own.

"Annie, God is so awesome, you know. I was praying just now and I had the very same idea, and then you said it. I-I think you're right, Annie. I think Ronnie needs to come home with us." Eric replied. Annie nodded, with a small smile on her face. Then she gasped.

"Alice! Do you think she's still here? What if it's too late?" She said quickly. Eric thought. They were on the 11th floor. It was possible she was still in the building. The elevators were running extremely slowly tonight.

Eric and Annie found themselves running to the elevator, where they surprisingly found Alice just getting into the elevator, with a frown on her face.

"Alice! Wait!" Eric and Annie shouted. Alice jumped when she saw them. She stepped back out of the elevator sadly, knowing she'd have to wait a long time before the elevator came back.

"Yes?" She asked, obviously not impressed. Annie grabbed Eric's hand and squeezed it, as she caught her breath.

"Alice, look I know you're on your way out, but Annie and I were talking, and we really don't want Ronnie to go to that juvenile detention centre." Eric confessed, as Alice raised her eyebrows.

"Reverend, I understand your concern. I don't want to see her go there either. It's painful to see a child who's been through such a traumatic ordeal go somewhere that won't give her the care she truly needs right now. There's nothing I can do, though. No foster family wants her, and all the group homes in the region are full. We have no other place for her." She said, feeling as though she was repeating herself, as she told Eric this not more than ten minutes ago.

"Look, I know this may come as a bit of a shock, but, well, we want her to come stay with us." Eric said as he noticed Alice raise her eyebrows again. Annie prayed silently, hoping Alice would allow it.

"Are you saying you want to adopt her? Folks, I'm getting the impression this was just an impulsive decision based on emotions. You don't want the girl to go to the juvenile centre, so you want to take her. I think you're just acting out of guilt, if I may say so." Alice explained. Annie shook her head quickly as she stepped closer.

"No, Alice. You don't understand. You haven't been here with us over the past few days. Eric and I have become close to Ronnie, and, speaking for myself, I feel a bond. Maybe it's just my motherly instinct, but I feel like I have to take care of her now. Look, I know how this looks, but please, look inside your heart, Alice. Think of Ronnie. You said yourself the best place for her right now would be somewhere that would give her the care she needs. What she needs right now is a family to teach her what it means to be loved. Please, we can't let Ronnie go to the juvenile detention centre." Annie's eyes were desperate, and Alice could see that they were both sincere. She felt herself wanting to smile, but remained professional, but deep inside her heart, she thanked God for such loving people.

"Okay look, I agree. Ronnie needs to be with people who love her, and it's obvious you do. I don't think anyone else would have stayed with a child who was a complete stranger to them unless there was something there. The problem is, the agency won't allow wards of the state, which is what Ronnie is now, into random families. You would have to fill out an application for adoption. That could take weeks to process." Alice explained. Annie looked to Eric quickly, who stepped forward.

"Is there any way you could pull some strings? I realize it's against regulation, but think about Ronnie." He said desperately. Alice sighed, and looked at them. She finally nodded and reached into her briefcase, pulling out a small package of forms.

"These are the forms. Why don't you fill them out right now, and I will see what I can do. I make no promises, however. The agency is fairly strict when it comes to matters like this. I can promise you that I will try. I want as much as you do for Ronnie to go with you. I don't want to see her in the detention centre. I feel it would be damaging to her state of mind right now." Alice handed them the package.

"Thank you so much Alice." Annie cried. Alice smiled.

"I'll go and get some coffee while I wait for the forms." With that, Alice walked away. Eric and Annie sat down in the waiting room and looked at each other.

"Do you think it will get processed before tomorrow Eric? What if it doesn't? She'll have to go to that horrible place." Annie said sadly, as she pulled out a pen. Eric sighed.

"God took us this far, we have to trust Him to get us the rest of the way." He said, with a small smile. Annie nodded and together, they began filling out the application for Alice.


Later that night, Annie was sitting with Ronnie in her hospital room. Ronnie was still asleep. She had slept for most of the day, since the previous night was filled with nightmares of her father with a shotgun. Annie watched with a smile, and also fear. Alice had left with the papers Eric and Annie had filled out a few hours ago. Annie wondered how long it would take. She wanted so desperately for Alice to call soon to give them news, one way or another.

Eric had gone home to await the phone call, and to give the family the heads up on the possibility of a new family member. Alice had promised to call that night, with news either way. Eric had told her to call, no matter how late, even if it was late into the morning. Annie had agreed to stay with Ronnie, who she feared would be frightened when she woke up, since she knew that she was being released the next day. She still didn't know where she was going. Then again, neither did Annie and Eric. So it wouldn't be a lie to tell her that.

Ronnie stirred suddenly and opened her eyes. Annie smiled down at the girl, who rubbed her eyes sleepily.

"Annie? You're still here?" Ronnie seemed shocked by this. Annie nodded.

"You seem a little surprised." Annie noticed as she could see the confusion in Ronnie's chocolate brown eyes. Ronnie sat up in her bed, and winced from pain, as the painkillers were beginning to wear off. Annie sat upright immediately and helped Ronnie get comfortable.

"Do you want me to get a doctor?" Annie asked as Ronnie exhaled slowly.

"A doctor? No, it's just a little bit of pain. I'm used to it." Ronnie said, but immediately regretted it. "I'm sorry."

"Why? Why are you sorry?" Annie asked, hoping she could get Ronnie to open up a little bit, but Ronnie only looked away.

"Um, did that social worker come by at all? You know, she said she was going to let me know where I'd be going once I'm released tomorrow." She said timidly, but bravely. Annie knew she was deeply afraid inside, but wouldn't allow it to show.

"We don't know what's going on yet, Ronnie." Annie reasoned with herself that it wasn't a complete lie. They didn't know whether or not the papers would go through and whether or not they would be able to take Ronnie home with them. Ronnie only nodded as she played with her thumbs. Annie suddenly remembered her trip to the gift shop earlier, and decided to try and cheer Ronnie up a little.

"I have something for you." Annie reached down into her bag, as Ronnie leaned in curiously. Annie pulled up and handed Ronnie a stuffed monkey that held a little heart that read 'Get Well Soon.' Annie noticed Ronnie's eyes glazed over with tears, that she tried so hard to keep hidden as she took the monkey in her arms and stared at it. She swallowed hard and nodded.

"Thanks." She said simply, but Annie knew there was more that she wasn't saying.

"What's the matter Ronnie? Don't you like it? I can bring it back if you want." Annie said, but Ronnie shook her head.

"No, don't, please. It's just, well, I've never had a stuffed animal before." She admitted as she held the monkey in her arms. Annie's heart sank as she watched this 15-year-old girl stare at the first stuffed animal she had ever received. It was heartbreaking.

"Ronnie, didn't you ever have a teddy bear, or a doll when you were little?" Annie asked, hoping she was mistaken. Ronnie shrugged and looked up.

"You say it like it's not normal." She said, with a confused face. Annie shook her head and moved closer to Ronnie.

"Honey, every little girl has toys. Didn't you have anything?" She asked. Ronnie shook her head casually, as if she had been hearing something she had never heard before.

"I had a box of crayons, and I drew a lot, but I didn't have anything else." Ronnie explained. "I, I had always wanted a stuffed animal or a doll, but my mom and dad said it was stupid." She clutched the little monkey in her arms like a child, and Annie held her tears back as she watched this poor child, and prayed to God she and Eric could give her the life she had always deserved.

"It's not stupid. My daughter Ruthie's ten years old, and she has more dolls than I can even count anymore, and my twin boys, who are two have about a hundred different stuffed animals. When each of my kids were born, Eric and I bought them a stuffed bear with their names stitched into their belly with the date of their birth. It was our little symbol of a new member of the family. They each have theirs in their own bedrooms now. Even Matt, my oldest who's gone off to college, has his in his apartment." Annie explained as Ronnie listened to her intently. After a moment of silence, she nodded.

"That's really nice that you guys have such an amazing family." Annie detected a sense of bitterness in her voice. Almost jealousy. Annie didn't blame her at all. This girl has no sense of what a real family is. She's hearing all of this for the first time. About what a real family should look like. Oh please Father, help us to show her how to be a part of a family that really loves her. Annie looked at Ronnie again, who was still staring lovingly at the stuffed monkey.

"Well, what are you going to call him?" Annie asked, as if she were talking to a child. Ronnie looked at Annie, dumbfounded.

"Call him?" She asked, tilting her head a little. Annie smiled.

"You have to give him a name." She explained.

"A name? What for?"

"It's part of the fun of having a stuffed animal, I guess."

"I don't know..."

"Come on, you can think of something." Annie nodded at Ronnie, as if to persuade her. Ronnie still seemed unsure but she looked at the monkey, as her lip curled into a small smile. She seemed to be thinking for a few seconds, until she finally looked up at Annie, and shrugged.

"He kind of looks like a 'Chimpy.' I don't know." Ronnie seemed embarrassed but Annie clapped her hands together proudly.

"That's a wonderful name. Chimpy the Chimp. I love it." Annie said with a huge grin, which even caused Ronnie to smile. She even laughed a little. Annie felt so proud to be a part of this moment.


Eric had been pacing in the kitchen for half an hour now. He drank his coffee as he awaited the phone call that might change their lives. He thought back to an hour ago when he sat his six children down and explained they may be adopting Ronnie. They all knew who Ronnie was at that point. Ruthie and the twins had even drawn a card for her to get better soon. Eric didn't expect his kids to be excited, but they were thrilled. Especially his two girls, Mary and Lucy. Eric told them not to get their hopes up, though, since it wasn't a for sure thing yet, but Mary and Lucy were so determined, they even went up to the spare bedroom that used to be Matt's, and started pulling out sheets and blankets to make her new bed. Lucy even put some pictures of her favourite actors up in what might be Ronnie's new bedroom. Eric only prayed Alice would have good news. He didn't want his kids to be disappointed. He didn't want his wife to be disappointed. He also didn't want to be disappointed.

It was 10:30p.m. Eric had hung up the phone with his oldest son Matt a half an hour ago to tell him what might be taking place. The Camdens were always open and honest with each other, and Matt was happy for them too.

Finally the phone rang and Eric jumped at it. He was surprised when Mary, Lucy, Simon and Ruthie came running down from their bedrooms, all crowding around Eric with their eyes wide open. He had to laugh, but he answered the phone.

"Hello?" He answered, feeling his heart beat faster and faster.

"Reverend Camden? It's Alice from the agency. How are you?" She asked.

"I think I'll be better if you have good news for me." He answered truthfully. He heard Alice laugh slightly on the other end.

"Yes, I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you. I had a very long meeting with my supervisor and the head of the agency and she said this was highly against procedure." Alice explained and Eric felt his stomach sink. Oh no. He thought as he imagined Ronnie going off to the juvenile detention centre.

"However, I pulled some strings. You can take Ronnie, but there is a drawback. You can't adopt her yet. That will still take weeks to process, as any application would, but I convinced my supervisor to let you take Ronnie in as a foster child until the papers are finalized." Alice explained and Eric felt his heart skip a beat. He smiled so wide, that the kids all started cheering, and Eric had to shush them so he could hear Alice.

"Okay, great, thanks Alice. God bless you. Bye." Eric hung up the phone, and all four kids ran at him, hugging him and kissing him.

"Guys, we got her. She's coming home tomorrow." He said, as the kids all smiled.

"Are you going to call mom?" Lucy asked excitedly. Eric shook his head.

"Can you guys watch the twins? I'm going to the hospital right now to tell your mother. I'll be home in a little while okay?" Eric grabbed his keys and ran out the door, anxious to tell his wife the good news. Mary and Lucy ran back up to the spare bedroom to decorate some more for their newest addition to the family.