I woke up with a start, and looked around confused. I realized we were still at the hospital in the waiting room. Oh thank god, it was just a dream.
"Are you ok?" Asked Narvel, he was sitting beside me. I nodded.
"Yeah, I just had a bad dream. Have you heard anything?"
"No, not yet."
No sooner had he said that did the doctor show up, we all jumped up and walked to him.
"How's my husband?" Asked Janine. Kix hugged her to his side.
"He's stable. He had a weak pulse when we got here and had to help jump is heart into a more regular beat, we also had to pump his stomach. It is uncertain how long he was unconscious, and we can't know the full extent of his injuries until he wakes up."
"Can we see him?" asked Barbra.
"Of course, follow me."
Janine and I went in first while everyone else waited in the waiting room, the kids were on the way.
The doctor led us to his room and we walked in. I almost didn't recognize the man laying in the hospital bed. It wasn't the fact that he was in a hospital gown, or had machines hooked up to him, or even how pale he looked. No, it was that I felt like I didn't know who this man was anymore. He has changed so much in a year, the Ronnie I knew would never do this.
Janine went over and grabbed his hand and cried silently, I walked up and stood beside her. I honestly don't hate Janine, I never have. I still care about her, and I hated to think about the pain she must feel. They have been married forever, and I know she loves him so much.
"I want to go talk to Kix, want me to have Narvel and Barbra sit with you?" I asked Janine, she just nodded and I left to find the rest.
This whole thing has woken me up and realized we need to put an end to all this. I miss them both so much, and I hate that we aren't friends, we haven't even tried to work on things. I vowed to make it work, not for me, but for Ronnie.
"Kix may I talk to you outside?" I asked. I turned to face Barbra and Narvel. "Do you two mind sitting with Janine, I hate to have her be by herself." They nodded and I told them his room number and they left.
Kix and I walked outside and sat at a nearby bench.
"So, what do you want to talk about Reba?" Kix asked.
"I want us three to make up, I want us to get past everything that happened. Is it possible at all that we can? Be honest with me, because it there is even any doubt at all, then tell me."
Kix looked a little caught off guard, but quickly shook it off. "Reba, There's always going to be doubt, it's just the way it is, nothing is guaranteed. But I believe if we really want to, and we really try, then yes, we can get past all this."
I smiled at him. I looked down to my lap, feeling the tears build up again. "I am so worried about Ron."
Kix wrapped me into a hug and I buried my head into his shoulder. "I know, I am too, but he will make it, he's strong."
Narvel came up to us out of nowhere, out of breath. "Hey, I was looking for you guys. Ronnie's awake.
Kix and I followed Narvel into the hospital. Barbra was waiting in the waiting room for us. We stayed there giving Ronnie a moment with his wife and kids.
Kix and I agreed to talk to Ronnie about what we discussed briefly.
After half an hour, Janine walked out with her kids. Kix and I walked in together and Ronnie was sitting up in bed. He had some color returning to him, but he was still pale.
Doctors said there seemed to be no lasting damage, so that was good news, but they are keeping a very close eye on him.
I pulled a chair up close to his bed and sat down, Kix stood beside me. "Hey." I greeted Ron with a smile.
"Hi red." he gave me a weak smile.
"You gave us a real scare there, Ron." Kix said.
"Why?" it was all I could ask.
Ronnie sighed and wouldn't look at either one of us. "After I left the hotel room, I just couldn't stop thinking about what as asshole I have been lately. I had been doing so good, and just one night ruined it all." he was referring to his drinking problem. "And I did the one thing I swore I would never do, I hurt my family. That was the last straw, I felt the world would be better off without me in it."
I looked up to Kix who had some tears running down his face, like mine. I turned my attention back to Ronnie.
"Kix and I have want to talk to you about something." I looked back up to Kix who nodded in encouragement. I felt a little better with him there. I looked back to Ronnie who was looking at me. "Kix and I really want to work on getting past everything, and try to mend our friendship."
"We are tired of all the fighting, and we really miss each other." Kix said.
"Is it possible to do it?" I asked Ronnie. "Be honest with me."
Ronnie was silent for a moment, thinking it over. "I want more then anything to have you two back into my life, I miss you guys more then anything."
Kix sighed. "Yeah, but we can't have you going off doing these things, something has to change, and change for good. The Ronnie we know would never hurt the people he loved. The Ronnie we know would kill the person sitting in front of us." I agreed.
"I need help." I could hear the pain in Ronnie's voice.
I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "We will do everything we can to help you. We will be by your side through it all, I promise."