Chapter 2: Choices
Abby had been gone for almost a week when Carter recieved the phone call. He had been in the middle of a trauma but as soon as Jerry told him who it was he stopped immediately. Susan and Luka both offered to help but Kerry insisted she could handle it. He felt the beads of sweat forming on his palms as he picked up the reciever and heard her voice, Loud and clear.
ÒIÕm sorry CarterÓÓItÕs nice of you to callÓÓIÕm sorryÓÓSo hows PhoenixÓÓCarter I said IÕm sorryÓÓI heard youÓÓI just couldnÕt handle it allÓ
ÒAre you drinkingÓÓNoÓ
ÒReally?ÓÓNo Carter IÕm not drinking- Are you taking drugs again?ÓÓYou donÕt mean that muchÓÓI donÕt?ÓÓNoÓ
ÒFineÓÓSo what did you call for?ÓÓIÕm coming back to ChigacoÓÓOh you are- good for youÓÓIÕm brining Erik with meÓÓI look forward to meeting him. Sorry but some of us have a job to do I have to goÓÓIÕm coming back on SundayÓ
ÒByeÓ
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ÒShe coming back?ÓÓYeahÓ
Susan wondered what was wrong with Carter now. His girlfriend was finally coming back to Chigaco. He shouyld be ecstatic. But then again this last week had been hard for him. The two of them had started to grow close and she had found herslef wishing Abby wasnÕt coming back. Her and Carter had never really been the same since they broke up and this week had been great. They could talk about anything and everything- she had missed having Carter there.
ÒYou donÕt seem too happy about itÓÓIÕm notÓÓCarter- I know she hurt you but you must want her backÓÓThe strange thing is I donÕt. SheÕs selfish and she hurts me and that canÕt be goodÓÓWhen you love someone there bad bits shouldnÕt matterÓÓI donÕt love herÓÓYou donÕt!?ÓÓNo. I like her- very much but love its just-ÓÓToo strong a wordÓÓYeah- IÕve just never really used it with a girlfriend beforeÓ
ÒMe either- except...ÓÓMarkÓÓThat was a different kind of love. But Mark yeah. And ErikÓÓWhoÕs Erik?ÓÓThis guy I knew- a long time ago- broke my heartÓÓYou wanna talk about him?Ó
ÒNot reallyÓÓOkay then- if youÕre sureÓÓIÕm sureÓ
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Luka searched for arrivals. He still couldnÕtt understand why Abby had called him but all he knew was Carter was once again being a jerk. The guy just couldnÕt help it. I mean youÕre girlfriend comes back after being away for more than a week and the guy doesnÕt even bother to come pick her up- what a loser.
Finally he saw Abby. She looked fantastic in a black leather jacket and jeans. Next to her stood a goodlooking young man- he could only be a year or two younger than Abby. Luka vaguely recalled Abby telling him they were 18 months apart. The Lockhart good looks had been inherited by him also. He wore a large grin across his face and was laughing as Luka approached.
ÒHey Luka!ÓÓHey AbbyÓÓLuka this is my brother Erik. Erik this is a friend of mine- Luka Kovac. He works at the hospital wih meÓ
Erik reached forwards and shook Lukas hand. He had a strong grip and close up Luka studied his face more intensely. He looked a lot like Abby- the same eyes. He was a big guy- 6Õ1 or possibly 6Õ2. He had broad shoulder and looked like a football player. He was also wearing a leather jacket teamed with black trousers and a white shirt. He carried both his and AbbyÕs case easily. By the size of his suitcase it looked as if he could be staying for a while.
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ÒCarter!Ó
SusanÕs voice was loud and piercing above the sounds in the almost silent ER. Carter turned to face her and tried to force a smile- it didnÕt work. He just couldnÕt manage to fake enthusiasm- not today.
ÒYou look happyÓÓSorry- IÕm just not in a great mood todayÓÓOh I forgot- AbbyÕs coming back right?ÓÓYeahÓÓYou not going to get her?ÓÓNope. I havenÕt spoken to her since Friday morningÓ
ÒDonÕt you want to?ÓÓNot reallyÓÓCarter- quit acting stupid. You love her really- donÕt let her goÓÓSusan- all due respect but IÕm not acting stupid. Quit bugging me about her. IÕm just sick of everything revolving around AbbyÓ
******************
Abby had been gone for almost a week when Carter recieved the phone call. He had been in the middle of a trauma but as soon as Jerry told him who it was he stopped immediately. Susan and Luka both offered to help but Kerry insisted she could handle it. He felt the beads of sweat forming on his palms as he picked up the reciever and heard her voice, Loud and clear.
ÒIÕm sorry CarterÓÓItÕs nice of you to callÓÓIÕm sorryÓÓSo hows PhoenixÓÓCarter I said IÕm sorryÓÓI heard youÓÓI just couldnÕt handle it allÓ
ÒAre you drinkingÓÓNoÓ
ÒReally?ÓÓNo Carter IÕm not drinking- Are you taking drugs again?ÓÓYou donÕt mean that muchÓÓI donÕt?ÓÓNoÓ
ÒFineÓÓSo what did you call for?ÓÓIÕm coming back to ChigacoÓÓOh you are- good for youÓÓIÕm brining Erik with meÓÓI look forward to meeting him. Sorry but some of us have a job to do I have to goÓÓIÕm coming back on SundayÓ
ÒByeÓ
************************
ÒShe coming back?ÓÓYeahÓ
Susan wondered what was wrong with Carter now. His girlfriend was finally coming back to Chigaco. He shouyld be ecstatic. But then again this last week had been hard for him. The two of them had started to grow close and she had found herslef wishing Abby wasnÕt coming back. Her and Carter had never really been the same since they broke up and this week had been great. They could talk about anything and everything- she had missed having Carter there.
ÒYou donÕt seem too happy about itÓÓIÕm notÓÓCarter- I know she hurt you but you must want her backÓÓThe strange thing is I donÕt. SheÕs selfish and she hurts me and that canÕt be goodÓÓWhen you love someone there bad bits shouldnÕt matterÓÓI donÕt love herÓÓYou donÕt!?ÓÓNo. I like her- very much but love its just-ÓÓToo strong a wordÓÓYeah- IÕve just never really used it with a girlfriend beforeÓ
ÒMe either- except...ÓÓMarkÓÓThat was a different kind of love. But Mark yeah. And ErikÓÓWhoÕs Erik?ÓÓThis guy I knew- a long time ago- broke my heartÓÓYou wanna talk about him?Ó
ÒNot reallyÓÓOkay then- if youÕre sureÓÓIÕm sureÓ
**********************
Luka searched for arrivals. He still couldnÕtt understand why Abby had called him but all he knew was Carter was once again being a jerk. The guy just couldnÕt help it. I mean youÕre girlfriend comes back after being away for more than a week and the guy doesnÕt even bother to come pick her up- what a loser.
Finally he saw Abby. She looked fantastic in a black leather jacket and jeans. Next to her stood a goodlooking young man- he could only be a year or two younger than Abby. Luka vaguely recalled Abby telling him they were 18 months apart. The Lockhart good looks had been inherited by him also. He wore a large grin across his face and was laughing as Luka approached.
ÒHey Luka!ÓÓHey AbbyÓÓLuka this is my brother Erik. Erik this is a friend of mine- Luka Kovac. He works at the hospital wih meÓ
Erik reached forwards and shook Lukas hand. He had a strong grip and close up Luka studied his face more intensely. He looked a lot like Abby- the same eyes. He was a big guy- 6Õ1 or possibly 6Õ2. He had broad shoulder and looked like a football player. He was also wearing a leather jacket teamed with black trousers and a white shirt. He carried both his and AbbyÕs case easily. By the size of his suitcase it looked as if he could be staying for a while.
*******************
ÒCarter!Ó
SusanÕs voice was loud and piercing above the sounds in the almost silent ER. Carter turned to face her and tried to force a smile- it didnÕt work. He just couldnÕt manage to fake enthusiasm- not today.
ÒYou look happyÓÓSorry- IÕm just not in a great mood todayÓÓOh I forgot- AbbyÕs coming back right?ÓÓYeahÓÓYou not going to get her?ÓÓNope. I havenÕt spoken to her since Friday morningÓ
ÒDonÕt you want to?ÓÓNot reallyÓÓCarter- quit acting stupid. You love her really- donÕt let her goÓÓSusan- all due respect but IÕm not acting stupid. Quit bugging me about her. IÕm just sick of everything revolving around AbbyÓ
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