Chapter Seventeen!
Three weeks had passed since Ronnie had returned home to her family. The day after she came home, she had to make a statement to the police about what had happened at Luke's farmhouse. Eric and Annie sat with her and they were shocked by what had happened. They insisted that Ronnie see a therapist twice a week so she could begin to deal with what had almost happened.
Ronnie was getting by just fine, especially after she testified against Luke in court and he was sentenced to ten years in prison. Ronnie felt safe, and happy that she was home with her family.
But her lifted spirits dropped when she received a phone call a week after she came home. It was Chad. He had called to tell her his news about moving in with a foster family.
"Chad, that's great. Do you like them?" Ronnie had asked as she leaned against her bed, giving her homework a break.
"Yeah, they're pretty cool. Chuck is a lawyer and Natasha is a nurse. They already have a daughter who's nine. Her name's Nadia." Chad explained. Ronnie was thrilled for Chad, but couldn't help but notice he sounded somewhat sad over the phone.
"That's awesome Chad. Aren't you excited?" Ronnie asked. Chad sighed.
"Yes, I'm excited, but…there's bad news." He said. Ronnie's stomach dropped. She feared it would have something to do with his father causing problems again.
"What?" She asked carefully.
"They don't live in Glen Oaks. They live four hours away. I'm…I'm moving." Chad finally said after a few moments. Ronnie's heart sank as the realization hit her.
"What?" She had heard every word he said, but allowing herself to believe it was another story.
"They live in Georgetown. I'm leaving in two weeks." Chad had told her again. Ronnie was heartbroken. Her best friend was moving away. She thought it was bad when she thought Chad was mad at her, but she was grateful they had made up, and now he was leaving. Annie had been there for Ronnie as she cried for hours that night and for the next couple of weeks, Annie drove Ronnie over to the home where Chad was staying so the two could visit. The visits were hard on Ronnie, especially knowing that she would not be able to see Chad like this anymore, but she wanted to have the memories to hold on to when he left.
On a Saturday afternoon, 3 weeks after Ronnie had been rescued, she was outside in the backyard with Mary, playing basketball. While Mary took a shot, Ronnie's eyes shifted down to her wrists to see the cuts were healing. She wondered if the horrible memories of those two days would eventually fade like the scars.
"Do you think you're ready?" Mary asked, referring to the championship game that was a week away. Ronnie shrugged, throwing the ball in the hoop. Mary noticed she was really quiet, and had been for most of the last two weeks, since she found out Chad was moving.
"Ronnie, are you okay?" Mary asked as she took the ball and sat down on the pavement. Ronnie stared at her for a moment. She could remember many talks with Mary, sitting on this very pavement. She finally lowered herself down to the ground, with a sigh.
"It just doesn't seem fair." She admitted as she traced her finger along the pavement.
"What doesn't seem fair?" Mary asked.
"Why kids have to end up with bad parents. It still hurts to think about how my dad almost killed me, and then killed my mom and eventually himself. I was lucky that you guys came along, but it's not fair that I had to have them as my parents in the first place. And Chad; it's not fair he had to have the dad he did. Because of Luke, Chad was hurt and because of Luke, I was kidnapped and hurt and almost raped. Because of Luke, Chad's moving away!" Ronnie had started to cry now and she tried to hide her face, but Mary knew that Ronnie was crying.
"Ronnie, I know it's not fair, but you know everything happens for a reason. Chad's never going to be hurt again, and it's all thanks to you. I'm really proud of you for making that step to tell dad. You may have saved Chad's life." Mary said as Ronnie sniffled.
"I'm just really going to miss him." Ronnie said as her lip quivered. Mary crawled over and embraced her sister tightly, as Ronnie cried.
"I know it's not the same as a best friend, but I'll always be here for you." Mary said. Ronnie nodded, knowing this was true. She sniffled once more and managed to smile at Mary.
"Ronnie?" Ronnie turned and saw Annie standing in the doorway.
"Yeah mom?" She asked, as she tried to dry her eyes.
"Chad's here. He needs to talk to you." Annie replied. Ronnie's heart skipped a beat as she could tell by Annie's face that something was wrong.
Ronnie looked at Mary, who gave her a reassuring nod, and Ronnie headed inside. She looked at Annie, as if to ask what was wrong, but Annie didn't say a word. She only kissed Ronnie on the head, as Ronnie entered the living room. Sitting on their couch was Chad, along with a couple and a little girl. Ronnie guessed this was his foster family, and when she saw them, she knew.
"Hey Ronnie." Chad said as he stood up. He looked so sad and Ronnie shook her head.
"You're not leaving today, are you?" Ronnie asked as she could feel more tears coming. Chad sighed and didn't answer, which Ronnie knew meant he was.
"But Chad, you told me you weren't leaving until Wednesday. That's four days away!" She yelled. Chad took her arm and led her into the foyer, away from the family, so he could talk to her privately.
"I thought I was leaving on Wednesday, but Chuck and Natasha thought it would be easier to do the move on the weekend, so they wouldn't have to miss any work, and they wanted me to start at my new school on Monday, to get used to it. Look Ronnie, if I had known, I would have told you earlier, but I just found out this morning." Chad said, as Ronnie's tears began to run down her cheek. She didn't know what to say, she could only stare at him with glossy eyes, desperate to make him stay.
"I promise I'll call every weekend, and I'll write. Chuck and Natasha already said you can come visit me anytime, and they've offered to drive me down to visit once in a while." Chad was feeling just as sad as Ronnie was, but was hiding his emotions well; something he had always done.
"Chad?" Ronnie spoke up after a moment. Chad looked up.
"Yeah Ron?" He asked. Ronnie wiped a tear away.
"How can I be sure we'll stay in touch? What if we just forget about each other?" She asked. She had heard many stories about people who have had friends move away, and they eventually lost touch. She didn't want to ever lose her best friend.
"I don't know Ronnie. What I do know is this. You're the greatest friend I have ever had. You helped me through really hard times, without even realizing it. You got me away from my dad. You're always going to be my best friend, Ron. I don't care how far away we are; that will never change." Chad said as he managed to smile a little. Ronnie smiled back with a small nod.
"You're my best friend too Chad." She gave him a hug, and wouldn't let go. "I'm going to miss you so much." She cried as she clung to him tightly.
"Me too." Chad said, as he could feel a lump in his throat, threatening to bring on tears, but he managed to keep them down.
Chuck, Natasha and Nadia entered the room, where Ronnie, feeling embarrassed, turned away so she could wipe her tears.
"It's okay Ronnie. I know you're sad, but you know what? You're welcome to come visit Chad anytime, okay?" Natasha put a hand on Ronnie's shoulder as she smiled at her. Ronnie nodded as she tried to smile back. She looked at Chad again, and knew it was time for him to go. She walked with them to the door and as Chuck, Natasha and Nadia walked to the car, waiting for them at the end of the Camden's driveway, Ronnie threw her arms around Chad once more.
"Remember what I said, Ronnie. You're always going to be my best friend." Chad said as he gave a final wave and walked down the steps to where his new family was waiting for him. Ronnie kept her tears to a minimum as he got into the car. As Chuck pulled the car out of the driveway, Chad and Ronnie waved at each other until the car finally turned the corner, and Chad was gone. That was when Ronnie began to cry out loud. She wasn't alone long, for behind her, Eric and Annie walked out onto the porch and put their arms around her as she cried.
"I love you sweetie." Annie whispered into her ear. Ronnie turned around and buried her face into Annie's shoulder, nodding.
"I know Chad's moving far away, honey, but remember, your family is always here for you. I know it's not the same, but we're never going to leave you, and we're never going to stop loving you." Eric said as he rubbed Ronnie's back. Ronnie looked up at Eric and then at Annie. The pain she was feeling hurt, but she knew she would be okay. No matter what happened in her life, she would always have her family. She had already been through so much, but the Camdens had been there for her through it all. She loved them more than anything, and she knew they loved her in return.
As she gave them another hug, she knew she was blessed to know she had a family she could always fall back on.
The End!
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