Ronnie's Daddy

The class room was filled with noise, children were screaming, a lonely teacher was yelling, and blocks came crashing down. I clung to my Father’s leg; like a monkey on a swaying tree branch, with a pack of hungry lion’s awaiting the fall. Kindergarten was kind of like that jungle; every child did as they pleased. Each one with hunger filled eyes, and thirst that was just never satisfied with knowledge.

“Please don’t leave me here alone daddy! “ I pleaded.

“You will be fine sweetie, I promise. I’ll be back at noon to pick you up. At least try to make friends while you are here.”

With that, my Father left me; his only daughter, to fend for herself, amongst the jungle they call Kindergarten. I searched around, each potential friend didn’t seem right. Everyone had put up a wall as soon as they stepped through the door. Those wretched animals casted me out of the swimming hole, leaving me on my own. However there was one girl who caught my eye, she seemed decent enough. She sat in the corner of the classroom; unmoving, trying to blend in with the wall. She was the chameleon and I, the ugly duckling, trying to become a swan.

“Hello! I’m Jesse!” I put on my biggest smile for her, and my highest voice in hopes of approval. But she barely even looked at me, just nodded and said, “Ronnie.” I assumed that was an invitation and sat down beside her.

“What are you building?”

“A castle.”

“Wow Ronnie, it looks beeeauuutifullll! Can I help?”

“I guess.”

Before I knew it class was over, and my Father was standing at the door. I ran over to him, an waved goodbye to Ronnie.

“How was your first day sweetie?”

“Great! I made a new friend, her name is Ronnie, but she doesn’t talk much. We made a castle, well Ronnie did, but I helped. I can’t wait to go back tomorrow!”

Soon enough tomorrow was today, and I felt no need to cling to my Father’s leg. I came in by myself and sat down right next to Ronnie. Something felt off though, everyone else was in shorts, an t-shirts, but not Ronnie. Ronnie wore jean pants and a thick sweater.

“Aren’t you hot?”

“Um….” Ronnie looked down at her sleeves, tears forming in her eyes. “Can you keep a secret?”

“Of course, I’m an excellent secret keeper. Mommy and me used to share secrets a;; the time, before he passed away; but that’s okay, cause daddy said mommy’s in heaven, that she’s an angel. Angels can keep secrets forever, so I know mine are safe.”

“You can’t tell anyone Jesse, not even your daddy. Do you promise?”

“I super secret swear, cross my heart, and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye…..”

“Okay, okay, you can stop, I’ll tell you already!” Ronnie said while giggling.

Ronnie pulled me to the back of the classroom, and we hid amongst the cubbies. She told me about all the times her daddy hit her. She said it was all her fault that she pushes his buttons and that’s why he gets so mad. I told her over and over, it’s not your fault, but she wouldn’t believe me.

When my father came to pick me up, I said goodbye to Ronnie, and walked straight to the car.

“How was school today Sweetheart?”

“Fine.”

“Just fine? Anything you want to talk about?”

“No.”

The rest of the way home, I just stared out my window. I could feel tears pricking my eye, but I just pushed them aside with my sleeve. Ronnie’s stories kept replaying over and over in my head, I couldn’t grasp why he father got so mad, he had to hit her.

The days quickly turned to weeks, Ronnie’s bruises got worse and worse. She always showed me them, and I always kissed them better. One day Ronnie showed up with a broken arm, that was the final straw for me.

“How was school today Sweetie?”

“Daddy, I need to tell you something, but you have to super secret swear you’ll keep it a secret. Kay?”

“Go ahead Jesse; you know you can tell me anything.”

“Okay, well my friend Ronnie lies, every day. She wears sweaters to cover her bruises, and they’re always getting worse. Ronnie says she is a bad girl and deserves to be hit, but I don’t believe that. In church they teached me, every child is special. That no child is evil, but what about Daddy’s, can Daddy’s be evil?”

“Jesse, you don’t mean to say Ronnie’s father is beating her up do you?”

“Yes, she came to school today with a broken arm.”

My Father got furious when I told him how long I’d known about all this. He said he had to tell my teacher, that Ronnie could indeed be in danger. I pleaded and prayed through sobbing tears, but Daddy said he had to tell Ms. Gage.

The next day he told the teacher, I saw tears in my Father’s eyes for the first time since my Mom died. He and Ms. Gage hugged, and then he walked back over to me. He paused for a moment before saying, “Jesse, hunny, Ronnie won’t be coming to school today.”

“Why not? Is she sick?”

“No, not sick.”

“Did she move away?”

“Not exactly.”

“Then why not Daddy?”

“Ronnie won’t be coming back, but you don’t have to worry about her. She is safe now, up in heaven with Mommy and Jesus. Ronnie’s Daddy will never be able to hurt her again.”

I cried a river that day, and every night since. I never would have guessed that Ronnie’s Daddy would come back, for me. I’m sixteen now, but I never got to play with the other kids. Ronnie’s Daddy has kept me locked up in this basement since that fateful day. There was nothing Daddy could do to save me, Mr. Green killed him too. Now Mommy, Daddy and Ronnie are safe. I hope someday soon Ronnie’s Daddy will push me towards Jesus too. Instead of continuing to beat me to the point of black outs, and then pulling me from the light, just as I’m about to be saved.

I remember what my Father always used to tell me. If you want something, you have to work for it. Well I’m ready to work, if it means being free. Help me to be strong Jesus; for I know the journey could be long, and the road filled with bumps, but I know I’m ready to be saved by you.