His Name Is Ron Read Online Free Page B

to know how it happened.”
    As Joe packed for the flight from San Francisco to L.A., Kim’s mind was still spinning. Although she had a sometimes turbulent relationship with her maternal grandparents, it seemed necessary and important for her to call them. They now lived in Florida, but Kim had received a letter from them telling her that they planned to visit Kim’s aunt and uncle in Chicago. She had not seen any of these people in at least ten years, but she called Information and succeeded in getting the number of her aunt Donna.
    Donna answered the phone and started to make small talk, but Kim interrupted. “Have you been watching the news?” Donna said that she had, but had not paid any particular attention to it. When Kim told her what had happened, Donna started to cry.
    â€œAre my grandparents there?” Kim asked.
    â€œYes, but you can’t tell them this. Grandma has a heart condition.”
    A senseless, frustrating argument developed about when and how the elderly couple should be informed until, finally, Kim’s grandfather got on the line.
    â€œGrandpa, I have some bad news,” Kim said.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?”
    â€œRon is gone.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    Kim said it straight: “Ron died.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œRon was killed.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    Kim repeated the horrible news over and over again.
    Finally her grandfather simply said, “Okay.”
    â€œHello !” Kim screamed into the telephone. “Did you hear what I said? Can you hear me?”
    The words simply did not make a connection.
    His tepid reaction infuriated Kim and she screamed, “Ron! Your grandson, Ron. Your grandson was killed! He’s dead !”
    Finally her grandfather began to yell something to the others in the room. Kim heard sounds of bedlam. Frustrated, she hung up.
    Moments later, her aunt Donna called back. “Are you going to call your mother?” she asked.
    â€œI didn’t even think about that,” Kim admitted. “I guess I have to, but I don’t even know what her last name is now, where she’s living, anything. Do you have her number?”
    Donna informed Kim that her mother’s name was now Sharon Rufo, and gave her the number in St. Louis. Kim promised that she would call. But after she hung up the phone she had second thoughts. This Sharon Rufo person was someone Kim barely knew. So she called me instead and asked for my advice.
    â€œJust bring the number with you,” I suggested. “We’ll handle it when you get home.” I could not imagine how Kim and I were going to deal with this aspect of things. Sharon was a virtual stranger to us.
    While we were talking, the call-waiting signal sounded on Kim’s line. I held on while Kim took the call. It was Sharon. Donna had already taken it upon herself to notify her. Sharon was irate that Kim had not called her first.
    â€œI just got your number,” Kim stammered. “I … I was just about to …”
    By now it was past time for Kim and Joe to leave for the airport. Both of them cried as the car sped down the highway, and Joe constantly checked his watch. When they finally reached the airport, they had to park in a lot that seemed miles away from the terminal. Grabbing their bags, they started running, dropping things, picking them up again and running, running, running. A security guard passing through the lot saw them and laughed at their plight. “Why don’t you get a cart?” he hollered after them. His laughter made Kim furious.
    When they finally reached the terminal, checked in, and headed for the gate, they were surprised to see the same security guard manning the metal detector. Kim rushed through, but the alarm sounded and she had to go back. Frantic that they would miss their flight, Kim ripped off her belt with its metal buckle and ran back through the detector, but it beeped once