Ronnie's Remorse
Ronnie sighed to himself as he slept on Craig's old heated rock shaped lamp. Sanjay and Craig both kept insisting that he could see in Craig's room, whilst Craig would curl up next to Sanjay. But he kept telling them he would be fine.
He wasn't uncomfortable at all, at least not physically. He still loved Craig, and he was starting to warm up to Sanjay, even Darlene and Vijay seemed fine. But he had a feeling none of them trusted him, why would they? He worked for a shovel factory for people to âdefendâ themselves against snakes, telling everyone they were harmful creatures that needed a firm hand, despite the fact that Ronnie was a snake himself.
The truth was, Ronnie lied when he said he built the shovel factory himself, he was only 16 back then so he had to have help from many others, including Mr. Noodman's older brother. Ronnie did however have free will, even if he wasn't in the right state of mind. He was sad and alone after Craig was adopted by Sanjay and he was left behind. No excuse he came up with for his cruel nature would ever be enough to erase all the trauma he caused himself and many people and animals alike, especially his brother Craig, as well as Sanjay, one Craig saw as a little brother and who Ronnie had grown to care about as well.
âI don't deserve them.â Ronnie muttered to himself. He quietly slithered away from his rock, he didn't want to go out in the cold by himself, but he felt being around the Patel household was too much for the family, that his face would trigger more trauma.
âRonnie?â Ronnie froze and hid behind a desk when he heard the voice. It was not Sanjay or Craig. The voice had come from their mom, one who had given birth to Sanjay and adopted Craig. âI know you're back there? You okay?â
âJust⊠getting a snack.â Ronnie lied.
âRonnie, I can tell something is wrong.â Darlene reached out to him.
âI'm fine, okay?!â Ronnie spat, then he froze again, and hung his head like a guilty puppy.
âI saw you heading towards the door⊠were you going to leave?â Darlene asked.
âWhy do you care? I mean, I know you've been nothing but nice to me, but your sons could have been seriously hurt because of that tantrum I threw at the movie set.â Ronnie teared up. âEverything I've done is unforgivable.â
âYou're right about one thing.â Darlene admitted, Ronnie bit his bottom lip. âMy sons could have gotten hurt, but I know one of them is hurting a lot right now.â
âWhich one?!â Ronnie panicked. âShould we go check on them?!â
âShh, no⊠I was talking about you.â Darlene whispered soothingly.
âI'm your son? You don't even know me⊠I'm just related to one of your real sons.â Ronnie tried to remind her.
âI will be honest, Vijay and I didn't trust you after all you did. But we both saw you on the ground, heartbroken. When Craig said you needed help from your family, I could tell he was right, we all could.â Darlene crouched on the floor, getting closer to Ronnie's level as he was flat on the carpet, she lifted his chin slightly. âIf you left, we all would have been even more worried about you, I know my little boys, they would go crazy and look everywhere for you. All of us would.â
âYou mean it?â Ronnie looked away slightly.
âYou may not be little anymore, but you're still so young.â Darlene wasn't sure how to put this in words, but her fists curled up in anger at the thought of Ronnie's old co-worker Andrew Noodman. It was bad enough she fell out with his brother Leslie Noodman when they used to be best friends, but while she always hated Andrew, someone even Leslie couldn't stand back in the day, she never realized how manipulative he could be towards someone so vulnerable. Then Darlebe saw Ronnie still looking worried. So she wrapped her arms around him. âIt's alright, sweetie.â
Ronnie started to tear up slightly. âI'll be alright⊠You just remind me so much of her. I keep wondering if she's still out there⊠What if we reunite and she's disappointed in me?â
âAre you talking about your Mom?â Darlene asked, Ronnie nodded.
âShe was brave and strong, she and Dad were gentle and kind too though⊠Well, they weren't so kind and gentle towards anyone who tried to hurt me and my siblings⊠I was the third youngest, so Craig was my only little brother besides Fireball, who wanted to join the circus or something.â Ronnie sighed. âSorry to dump my family history on youâŠâ
âNo need to apologize, it seemed to have calmed you down a little.â Darlene pointed out. âBut you look exhausted.â
âI don't want to be alone.â Ronnie told her.
âYou can stay with me for a while.â Darlene suggested. âI'm sure my husband won't mind you staying with him either.â
âThanks.â Ronnie yawned as Darlene scooped him into her arms.
âAnytime, sweetie.â Darlene whispered.


















