Chapter Eight!
Eric and Annie waited as the elevator slowly inched its way up to the eleventh floor. Both were feeling very nervous, as they knew that in a few moments, they would be taking home a new member of the family. Annie sighed heavily and looked at Eric.
"So the house is clean?" She asked, trying to make conversation. Eric nodded.
"Yeah, everything is done. What about Ronnie's room?" He asked, continuing the conversation.
"Finished. I just put her sheets on before we left. Mary and Lucy finished putting all of her new clothes into the closet, and Simon said he would let Ronnie have his old stereo, so I plugged that in next to her bed." Annie smiled, feeling so blessed to have such caring children. Eric smiled too.
"We have amazing kids. I'm just so glad they're excited about the idea of having Ronnie become a member of the family." He said. They both jumped when the elevator came to a halt on the eleventh floor. They held hands and with a deep sigh, walked to Ronnie's room.
They found Ronnie sitting on her bed, tying a shoelace. She was wearing an old pair of Lucy's jeans and a sweater that used to be Mary's. Annie brought them the day before for Ronnie, since the clothes Eric brought from her old house were all ripped and dirty. Eric cleared his throat and Ronnie looked up nervously.
"Hi Ronnie. How are you?" He asked. Ronnie nodded slowly.
"Okay." She muttered quietly.
"Did Jenny come to see you?" Annie asked. Ronnie nodded.
"Yeah, she just left half an hour ago so I could get ready." She replied meekly as she crossed her ankles shyly, staring at the floor. She knew in a few minutes she would be starting a new life; a life without her parents. She couldn't imagine a life without the constant fear of what her parents would do to her. A part of her was excited, but another part of her was nervous. Ronnie really liked the Camdens but didn't know how things would turn out. She hadn't even met any of the Camden kids, but had heard about them. She knew she would be right in the middle, with three that were older, and four that were younger. Ronnie had never had siblings before either, but she felt really nervous about meeting them.
"Well Ronnie, are you all ready to go?" Annie asked quietly. Ronnie closed her eyes nervously, but nodded. Annie went and sat beside her on the hospital bed.
"Honey, what's the matter?" She asked. Ronnie hesitated, and with a sigh, answered.
"I'm just a little scared." She admitted quietly, as she stifled back her tears. Annie put her arm around the young girl and hugged her.
"We know you are. This has been a really rough week on you, but we promise that you're safe now." Annie said.
"What's going to happen to my mom and dad?" Ronnie asked, catching Eric and Annie off guard. Annie looked at her husband, hoping he had the answer that she didn't.
"Well Ronnie, the police are looking for them. I suppose once they're found, they'll be arrested and charged for what they've done to you." Eric explained as best he could. Ronnie looked down, hiding the forming tears in her eyes.
"I didn't mean to send them to jail." She said quietly. Annie took Ronnie's face in her hands and turned her to face her.
"Ronnie, don't you dare blame yourself. This is not your fault. What your parents did to you was not your fault!" She said seriously. Ronnie turned away disbelievingly. Annie looked at Eric, who knew not to push.
"Why don't we head home? I'm sure you're sick of the hospital by now, aren't you Ronnie?" He asked. Ronnie smiled a little.
"Yeah, the food's a little gross." She admitted shyly. Eric and Annie laughed.
"Well then let's get out of here." Annie said as she stood up. Ronnie hesitated for a moment and she stood as well, turning to pick up the only thing in the world that really belonged to her now.
Her stuffed monkey, Chimpy that Annie had given her.
