"You can't just leave!"
"We have no reason to be together John."
"But I love you. Don't you get that?"
"Yes, and I love you too, but this is the end."
"No."
"We shared something. That is what held us together. Now we have nothing to share."
His feet were filled with lead. The wind was rushing through his hair, scarring his face. On top of the roof was his haven; it was everyone's haven. Just jump, he thought to himself, no one loves you. The coffee cup fell eight stories down. He wanted to fall eight stories down into nothingness. His head turned at the sound of laughter.
"Hey Carter." They said in unison. He just stared and declined the stairs.
"Wonder what that was all about."
"Beats me. Probably
still moping about Makemba being away."
"They haven't even
known each other for a year yet."
"Abby, she's carrying his son."
"I know," laughs, "but what if it isn't his. That's a possibility, right? I mean, what if she's a total slut like Gillian?"
"Wait. Whose
Gillian?"
"Luka's somewhat of a girlfriend. They all met in
Kisangani. She's from Canada though."
"I see."
"What is it with guys
going to Africa and bringing back some chick? Can't they see that
there are just as exotic women here in Chicago?"
"I thought
you were ok."
"I am Susan. It just ended so quickly."
"But
you are happy?"
"I'm happy for him. It would be such a waste
of time to mope over the whole situation and be depressed, right? I'm
in med school, I have more important things now."
Smiling, "More
important than Carter?"
"Besides, she has
something to give him that I can't."
"Abby…"
"I'm cold. Are you cold? Let's go inside."
"Susan, ETA two minutes out!"
"No Frank, I'm off."
"Carter is the only
other attending and Luka is late."
"Give it to me."
"GSW
to the right thigh, neck, and abdomen. Abby is already setting up in
Trauma 2."
"Why Abby?"
"Nurse rotation."
"Where
is Carter?"
"Ambulance bay."
Roaring sirens interrupted the conversation as Susan raced outside fidgeting with her yellow cover up. Carter quickly opened the ambulance doors and a paramedic stepped outside.
"Pregnant woman, mid
thirties, name is Daniela Michelson…"
"Wait, where's the
GSW?"
"This is it." pauses, "BP is 30/60, resps are shallow and faint. Says her ex-fiancé did this. Husband was DOA." Susan and Carter rushed into the ER as it began to rain.
"On the count of three. 1…2…3!"
"BP is dropping!"
"Carter we need to
intubate!"
"Abby!"
"I can't, I'm on my nurse rotation."
"If you don't, this woman and her baby will die."
"V-tach."
"Susan, crash cart."
"Charging to
200."
"Clear!"
"300!"
"Clear!"
"Got
a rhythm."
"Abby, resume compressions, I'll call Corday."
"Carter."
"What?"
"Look
at her nails, she's hemorrhaging."
"Damn it!"
"Corday is on her
way. What the hell happened?"
"She's hemorrhaging and her BP
is dropping along with the baby's."
"Flat line."
"Charging
to 260."
"Clear!"
"V-tach."
"360!"
"A
systole."
"400!"
"Flat line."
"Time."
"Forty-five minutes."
"Why aren't you charging to 460?"
"She's gone
Carter."
"Scalpel…emergency c-section!"
"Their both
gone."
"Time of death, 5:45pm
"Ok, I think that was the most depressing patient of the day."
"I second that." Susan added while poring two cups of coffee, rejoinig Abby at the table in the lounge.
"I mean, what kind of psycho would go after a pregnant woman and her husband?"
"Her ex-fiancé."
"Wow."
"Oh, by the way, Chuck and I are getting hitched on May 2."
"Congratulations!" Abby beamed as she took a sip of her coffee.
"Will you be my maid of honor?"
Just then the door slammed open, producing a depressed Carter. He looked at Susan; he looked at Abby and then proceeded to venture towards his locker. "Susan, can you leave?"
"Whatever blows your skirt. But whatever it is, I hope you feel better."
"John, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." He said rubbing his temples and collapsing onto the couch.
"You asked Susan to leave. Why" Abby stood up, walking over to the couch, hovering over him.
"Not now."
"You obviously have
something to say!"
"Go away."
"Carter, I'm worried about you."
"Since when?"
"I'm your friend
John. I'm here for you. Just tell me what's going on with
you!"
"No!" he finally said, sternly.
"John, this is your last chance. Do you want me to stay or to leave?"
"Get the hell away from me!"
"Frank, where's Susan?"
"Do I look like her
personal assistant?"
"Frank!"
"Fine. She left about an hour ago…trouble in paradise?"
"Shit." Abby whispered to herself walking over to the lounge. I don't want to go back in there. She thought to herself desperately wanting her winter coat.
"I though I asked you
to leave."
"This isn't the Carter Lounge!"
Abby returned to the nurses' station and punched out. There was at least six inches of snow covering the ambulance bay as Abby trotted towards the El. What the hell is wrong with Carter? She thought to herself once more. He was being a little excessive over Makemba not being in Chicago, so she ruled that out. Gamma was dead so she couldn't be bothering him. He hadn't mentioned anything about his father or mother lately so she gave up trying to figure out what was wrong.
Unlocking her apartment door, a series of beeps came from her answering machine. "First message. Hey Abby, it's Neela. I know we're supposed to be tutoring each other tonight but I think I've come down with the Flu. Call me if you need any help. Beep. Second message. Abby, it's Susan. Give me a call. Bye. Beep. End of final message."
After dropping her keys into the bowl and making a warm pot of tea, Abby dialed Susan's number. Chuck answered.
"Yo!"
"Um…hi. Is Susan around?"
"May I ask whose speaking?"
"Abby." She grinned; she loved how he was so protective over Susan.
"Oh, hey Abby. Hold on a sec." Abby could hear a muffled yell of 'Susan!' in the background.
"Abby?"
"Yeh. You left a message."
"Yes I did. Totally forgot. Come over for dinner and bring Neela too."
"She's at home sick. Something about the Flu."
"More of a reason for you to come over."
"What time is it?"
"6:45."
"Sure Chuck won't mind?"
"He gave the idea."
"Fine…I'll be there by 7:15."