Ronald's diner

chapter 14

VIII.

A couple of hours later, Bonnie threw down the magazine that she had been reading in frustration. She and Ronald had tried to pass the time with a bit of conversation as they awaited the doctor's results, but with out them brining up topics they didn't want to talk about there wasn't a whole lot to talk about. Eventually, they had both started reading magazines, but even that couldn't completely take Bonnie's mind off of things.

"What's wrong?" Ronald asked.

"Ughh. I can't stand this waiting."

"I know it's tough, but you need to relax and not get yourself too worked up. You're still recovering, you know."

Bonnie shot him a dirty look but then quickly softened her gaze. "I know that. But I'm worried. What if I'm no longer able to have children?"

Before Ronald could say anything though Bonnie continued, "If I'm no longer able to have children, it will be my fault. That's what's bugging me the most. I want to know if this is my fault."

"What do you mean?"

"The scarring in my uterus that they discovered when the docs operated on me, it's what put me in the hospital in the first place."

"But the doc said that was due to internal bleeding." Ronald countered.

"Caused by a reopened injury." Bonnie said, cutting him off. Then, taking a deep breath, Bonnie knew that she needed to tell Ronald the truth about how she had received her injury.

"Ronald, when you first met me at the diner, I was looking pretty rough, wasn't I? Did you ever wonder why I looked that way?"

The nodding of her boyfriend's head told her she could continue her story.

"I hadn't had a decent meal or decent place to sleep in over a week. I had absolutely no money to my name, zero. I had spent it all the previous week to get a cheap hotel and some," Bonnie stopped for a moment as she considered her words, "Some stuff that I needed. I had to do that because…. Well, you know why, because I was pregnant and I needed to abort it. I did a back alley abortion on myself with a coat hanger, and that's how I ended up hurt, and now I might not be able to ever have children. And I finally found someone I wouldn't mind having children with." Bonnie explained as she broke down into tears.

Ronald was shocked by Bonnie's story. He knew she had had it rough prior to them meeting. Heck Bonnie had told him as much the night that Tara had come to visit, but he didn't realize just how rough. Now, she was facing the possibility that her actions from one night would be saddling her with lifelong consequences. However, a small part of Ronald was also surprised at Bonnie's rather brazen comment about wanting to have children with him. Unfortunately, that conversation would have to wait for another time. For now, as Bonnie continued to sob, Ronald wrapped his arms around her and began to gently rock her as he tried to soothe and comfort the woman.

"Shhh, it's ok, Bonnie. It's ok. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Ronald also mentally made a note that now was not the best time to tell Bonnie about Ron vs. Ronald. That conversation would also have to wait for another day.

"But it's not fair." She sobbed, "I did things I'm not proud of, I know. But why do I have to be punished like this?"

"No one is punishing you, Bonnie. Besides, the doctor might come in and say that you're healthy and everything will be all right."

"Do you promise?"

Ronald hesitated for a second before answering, "No, I can't say I can promise that. But I can promise you that no matter what, I will be here for you, Bonnie. No matter what."