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2992 Words
Vi screamed for help throwing open the heavy curtain drawing the attention of the staff and customers. She then dropped to Ronny’s side and rolled him onto his back with great effort.
A crowd gathered around as the bartender called for an ambulance. Before she knew it, Mike was at her side pushing Vi aside. “What happened?” He demanded on his knees leaning over to see if Ronny was breathing.
“We were talking, and he complained of a headache then he just fell over.” She said with dread.
“He is not breathing,” Mike said and began CPR. First a breath and then pressing on his friend’s chest.
“There is an ambulance on the way.” The bartender said from over the crowd.
“God damn it Ronny breathe!” Mike snapped with anger. “I’m not burying two friends in the same month.” He snapped breathing for him once more and pumped his chest. “Don’t do this damn it.”
Vi could hear the sirens in the distance growing closer. She turned, finding herself in Eric’s arms as she tried to fight the tears in her eyes from falling. Eric held her close stroking her back through Ronny’s jacket. “Is he going to die?” She asked trying to hold it together. Eric didn’t know what to say. “Oh god.”
Mike was still performing CPR when the paramedics pushed their way through those gathered. Mike moved aside and allowed the paramedics to do their jobs. They placed a CPR bag over his face and helped Ronny breathe while they quickly lifted him onto a trauma board and onto a stretcher. In under a minute Ronny was hooked up to tubes and removed from the club to the awaiting ambulance.
“Let’s get to the hospital,” Eric said urging Vi along.
“Where are you going?” Her boss demanded.
“I quit.” She snapped following Eric and the others out to the parking lot.
She watched as they lifted Ronny into the back of the ambulance still using the bag to breathe for him. Mike took Vi by the arm and drew her attention to the open door of the waiting limo. “Get in if you are coming with us.”
Vi climbed into the limo and sat between Mike and Eric. “Follow the ambulance,” Troy ordered the driver.
Overwhelmed Vi’s hands covered her face as she cried silently. He was going to die she was sure of it, and her heart ached. Reaching the hospital felt like it took forever. When they reached the hospital, Vi pushed past Mike and Eric running to the stretcher’s side and took Ronny’s hand in hers. He was still unconscious, but she wouldn’t leave his side.
She moved fast keeping up with the medical staff as they rushed him through the ER and into Trauma. She was then pushed aside as nurses and doctors surrounded Ronny moving him from the stretcher to a bed. They were talking so fast and cutting his shirt away. Vi watched from a few feet away as the doctors and nurses connected tubes and machines to Ronny.
“We have to intubate.” She heard a doctor say.
“What?” She asked feeling Mike’s arms close around her and pull her back out of the way.
They watched from a distance as the medical staff inserted a breathing tube down Ronny’s throat and turned on the machine to breathe for him. Suddenly a nurse appeared in front of them and began asking questions. After getting her answers, she then forced them to leave and wait in the waiting room.
“No please let me stay with him,” Vi begged while the guys dragged her to the waiting room.
“You can do him no good being in the way,” Eric said forcing Vi into a seat. “Just sit. They will let us in when they are ready.”
Vi looked around at the other people waiting as they stared at her and her skimpy uniform. Uncomfortable she zipped up Ronny’s jacket to hide her body. Vi paced the floor for what felt like forever. The waiting room emptied and filled again as the night went on.
A doctor appeared around three in the morning and Vi’s heart almost stopped. “You’re here for Mr. Creek?” He asked.
“Yes,” Mike said standing up. “What happened?” He demanded as they all waited with bated breath to hear the news.
“I’m afraid Mr. Creek suffered a minor stroke. It’s not uncommon for men his age especially one that drinks and smokes as he does.” The doctor said. “If he doesn’t change his lifestyle he will likely suffer another one.”
“Is he going to be ok?” Vi asked.
“Well, he is finally breathing on his own again. There doesn’t appear to be any permanent damage, but that doesn’t mean that next time there won’t. A stroke could leave him paralyzed or brain dead or kill him altogether. We won't know the extent of his condition until he wakes up.”
“Can we see him?” Vi asked.
“Sure, the nurse will take you up to his room.”
***
His throat felt scratchy. Ronny groaned as he opened his eyes. Suddenly a light was flashed in his eyes, and he flinched. “How many fingers do you see?” A thin dark woman in pink scrubs asked holding up her hand.
“Four.” He said his voice strained.
“What city are we in?”
“New York.”
“What is your name?”
“Ronny Creek.”
“Do you know where you are?”
Ronny looked around the room at the tubes and monitors. “A hospital.”
“Do you know why?” She asked.
“Because you wanted to get my shirt off.” He smiled. She smiled and playfully swatted his shoulder. “I think you’re fine.” She said leaving the room.
Ronny shifted in bed and saw Mike and Eric seated in chairs against the wall with Vi curled up and asleep in an armchair beside his bed. “You scared us,” Eric said with a smile.
“Doctor says you had a stroke,” Mike informed him. “You got to quit smoking and drinking. Cut back on red meat and get more sleep. They say you got to stop partying so hard or you’re going to wind up like David.”
Ronny didn’t know what to say. He looked over at Vi who looked so small curled up in his jacket. “You scared her,” Eric said standing up. “She cried for hours thinking you were going to die.”
“I’ve never said this to you before, but I think this is a good one,” Mike said coming to his feet.
Ronny smiled, he still felt tired. “I know she is.” Vi stirred, and she lifted her head.
“You’re awake.” She smiled getting up and coming to the bed. “Are you ok?” She asked caressing his face.
“Yeah.” He nodded.
“Same old Ronny he is already hitting on the nursing staff.” Eric teased.
Ronny sat up and began taking off the electrodes. “I don’t think you’re supposed to do that.” Vi protested as he pulled off the heart monitor and the line went flat. Three nurses came running to see what had happened.
“No, I’m good.” He said pulling the IV from his hand. “I’m good.” He repeated as the nursing staff tried to get him back into bed. “I feel fine.” He assured them as he picked up his shirt and groaned to see it had been cut. “I liked that shirt.”
“Sir you have to get back in bed the doctor has not released you.” The nurse protested.
“I’m releasing myself,” Ronny said getting to his feet and suddenly feeling weak. A strange feeling for a man used to strength and power.
Vi moved to stabilize him and urged Ronny back into bed. “You should lay down.” She said placing her hand on his shoulders and forcing him back against the bed. “You almost died just relax.”
“I hate hospitals.” He grumbled.
“I won't move in with you if you don’t take care of yourself.” She threatened with a smile.
Ronny grinned. “You’re going to move in with me?”
“Only if you stay in bed and do as the medical staff tells you.” Ronny cringed and then laid back giving in to her will. He glared at his snickering friends. “I’m going to go get you something to drink,” Vi said kissing him and then leaving the room.
As soon as Vi was gone Eric made a whipping sound that made Mike laugh. “Ha-ha.” Ronny glared. “When I get out of this bed I’ll kick your butt for that.”
“I never thought I would see the day a woman whipped Ronny Creek.” Eric teased.
***
Ronny’s close call hit the papers the very next morning. The hospital did their best to keep the press outside to allow their patient the chance to recuperate. He spent four days in the hospital regaining his strength before he was released. Ronny stepped out those hospital doors and into a media storm looking well dressed and strong with Vi on his arm. When asked if he intended to change his lifestyle to prevent further incidents Ronny put on his dark shades and gave the press his ever-famous mischievous smile saying. “A leopard can’t change his spots.”
They took a town car home where he was surprised by a house full of friends. A party to welcome him back from the brink of death. Vi hovered by his side all night her hand in his. He wasn’t sure if her continuous vigil was because she was happy he was home, or she was afraid that he might relapse. There was one thing for sure, his feelings for her had deepened far past anything he had ever felt for any woman in his past.
His near brush with death forced Ronny to think of his life and what he had. While he was in the hospital, he had called his lawyers and discussed in depth on the phone what he wished them to do. When Mr. Lenard showed up on his doorstep, Ronny freed his hand from Vi’s, kissed her, and promised to return shortly.
He escorted Mr. Lenard down to his home office and shut the door behind them. “Do you have what we discussed?” He asked taking a seat at his desk.
Mr. Lenard sat across from him and opened his briefcase. “I do. It is all drawn up in detail as you requested. He said placing a thick document on the desk before Ronny. “You need to sign and initial on all the highlighted sections.” He said sliding it across the desk. Ronny picked up a pen and looked the document over. “Mr. Creek I have been your attorney for a long time, and I have to ask… are you sure about this?”
Ronny nodded as he began to sign. “Yes.” He assured Mr. Lenard.
“Ok.” Mr. Lenard said placing a duplicate copy on the desk for signing. “This is your copy, and as requested we will keep the original with us at the office.” Ronny finished signing and handed the original back.
“Why don’t you stay and enjoy the party,” Ronny suggested coming to his feet.
“I’m afraid I can’t I have to get some sleep. I am due in court tomorrow morning bright and early. Judge Hatchet is hearing your girlfriend’s custody case. I want you to be in the courtroom I would like to call you as a witness when we present Mrs. Anderson living arrangements and have you testify as to her husband’s violent tendencies.”
“Is he still representing himself?”
“No, he has been suspended. The ethics board received your letter and had been investigating him. He can’t practice law until the inquiry is over.”
That news pleased Ronny. “We will be there.” He said shaking the man’s hand and showing him out. The party went on for some time before it died off and everyone went home. As the house fell, quiet Ronny found himself seated at his piano playing Beethoven. Lost in the music he hadn’t noticed Vi standing in the archway. As he finished the first movement, he opened his eyes, and his gaze fell to her watching him.
“You play so beautifully.” She said coming into the room. Ronny patted the bench seat next to him and slid over. Vi joined him on the seat and frowned when he took a sip of his rum. “The doctor said you should stop drinking.” She scolded him as he began to play once more.
“I’m an old dog sweet; it’s too late to teach me new tricks.” He smiled.
“Even if it kills you?”
“Alright, I will make you a deal. I will only drink when we have company. It’s the best offer you’re going to get.” He smiled. She simply sighed and shook her head. “I have something I want to show you,” Ronny said fishing the bar he was playing. Ronny reached up and took the document off the piano top. He then handed it to Vi and began to play again.
“Is this what Mr. Lenard was here for?” She asked curiously.
“Yes.”
Vi read the first page and looked up at him. “This is your will? Why are you showing me this?” She asked.
“Read it.”
Vi skimmed through the many pages and stared at him with quiet awe. “You’re leaving me everything?”
Ronny stopped playing and shifted to look at her. “I have no family of my own. I can’t take it with me, and I don’t have many more years left.”
“Don’t say that.”
“It’s true Vi. Each day that passes I feel older and older. I have to leave it to somebody, and I can think of no one I would rather leave it to than you and your children. I have a trust fund set up for each of them they can have access at twenty-one to use for school or whatever they choose. I have directed that any royalties that continue after my death to be paid to you. I’m leaving each of my houses to you and the children to divvy up between you and the children as you see fit. Live in them, sell them, I don’t care. You get my jet, the cars, my wealth and of course the VIP.”
“You’re giving me the club?” She was still shocked.
“Of course, this is only after I die, but you will be a wealthy woman and well taken care of.”
She shook her head and placed the will on top of the piano. “Ronny, I don’t want any of that. I want you to take better care of yourself.” She said with her hand on his arm.
“I know you do.” He smiled. “That’s why I’m leaving it to you.” She was the only woman in his life that had never used him. That had cared about him beyond what he could do for her. The only woman that made him feel like a man and not a celebrity. “Tomorrow we have to be in court. Mr. Lenard says the judge hears your custody case.”
“Really?” She asked excitedly.
“Yes, and I’m guessing after I testify the kids will be coming home with us.”
Vi hugged Ronny tight. “That is so wonderful I can’t wait. I’m never going to be able to sleep tonight.”
Ronny snickered and slid his arm around her waist. “Then perhaps I should wear you out.”
She placed her hand on his chest to fend him off. “Now do you think you can handle the strain old man? The last time nearly killed you.” She teased.
“Yeah, but what a way to go.” He said standing up and scooping her into his arms. “I can die with a smile on my face.” He carried Vi to bed and for the first time since his time in the hospital Ronny enjoyed his time in bed.
- Writer
