Chapter 19: August. 29, 2000, 9AM, Ambulance Bay (Peter Benton's Point of
View):
"I hope I see you around again, John," I shout as he starts to run out the door. I almost choke as I say his name; it is so unfamiliar to me.
He looks back at me and looks like a lost boy as he says, "I hope so too, Dr. Benton," and I can see tears starting to form in his eyes, which he seems oblivious to. Damn, that kid always gets to me, him being so formal and innocent all the time.
Suddenly Kerry Weaver bursts through the lounge door. I try to sneak out but she stops me.
"Peter, did you talk to Carter at all?" she demands.
I know I have a reputation for being tough, but even I think she's overstressing everyone. And now she's bitching out Carter, probably, with his sick grandfather!
"Yeah," I respond, "And he told me everything-"
"He told you what's been going on?"
"Yeah."
"I can't believe he would do that!"
"Well, it's his life. I think he can inform who he wants." Why is she so worked up?
"Did you at least try to talk to him? Did you try and help him somehow?" She's staring straight up at me now.
I shake my head and respond, "There wasn't much for me to do. Plus I think he's getting back together now. He seems to be fine, you know, holding up considering."
"Holding up considering? How can you be so passive about all of this?"
"What do you expect me to, Kerry. I just hope his grandfather makes it."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"His sick grandfather. That's why he quit, right?"
"Oh, Peter." She shakes her head. "He lied to you.John is a drug addict."
Now I'm mad.
"I hope I see you around again, John," I shout as he starts to run out the door. I almost choke as I say his name; it is so unfamiliar to me.
He looks back at me and looks like a lost boy as he says, "I hope so too, Dr. Benton," and I can see tears starting to form in his eyes, which he seems oblivious to. Damn, that kid always gets to me, him being so formal and innocent all the time.
Suddenly Kerry Weaver bursts through the lounge door. I try to sneak out but she stops me.
"Peter, did you talk to Carter at all?" she demands.
I know I have a reputation for being tough, but even I think she's overstressing everyone. And now she's bitching out Carter, probably, with his sick grandfather!
"Yeah," I respond, "And he told me everything-"
"He told you what's been going on?"
"Yeah."
"I can't believe he would do that!"
"Well, it's his life. I think he can inform who he wants." Why is she so worked up?
"Did you at least try to talk to him? Did you try and help him somehow?" She's staring straight up at me now.
I shake my head and respond, "There wasn't much for me to do. Plus I think he's getting back together now. He seems to be fine, you know, holding up considering."
"Holding up considering? How can you be so passive about all of this?"
"What do you expect me to, Kerry. I just hope his grandfather makes it."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"His sick grandfather. That's why he quit, right?"
"Oh, Peter." She shakes her head. "He lied to you.John is a drug addict."
Now I'm mad.