"Hey, I'm nearly done do you want to hang around for five minutes or so and I can walk you home or something, where about do you live?"
"No its fine I can get home by myself I'm used to it"
"Where do you live?" Abby repeated the question slightly worried about her safety.
"On Madison Street, the ninth building".
"Really that's where I live? I'm on the second floor"
Ashley's face brightened up slightly, "That's weird I've never seen you before we stay on the third floor".
"Yeah but my shifts are so irregular I'm usually about during the night and sleeping during the day so I'm not really surprised. Sometimes I feel like a walking zombie you know like in the movies".
This prompted a smile from Ashley and she giggled at the thought of Abby as a zombie.
"Okay sweetie give me 10 minutes tops and we'll walk home okay?"
Ashley nodded her head and watched as Abby finished up her charts. 10 minutes went by and as promised Abby was ready to go. The bitterly cold Chicago night enveloped them as they passed through the automatic doors. Ashley shivered and rapped her arms around her body.
"Are you cold, I think I have an extra hat in here somewhere", Abby rummaged around in her rucksack and pulled out a fluffy white hat. Ashley gratefully accepted it.
"Are you sure you don't want to wear it?"
"No no it's fine, you need it more and besides I think it suits you better".
Abby stood back admiring the hat and Ashley seeing this, struck a pose and stuck her tongue out cheekily. Abby laughed and then remembered something.
"I almost forgot here's the medication you asked for, well the prescription you need your mum to collect it". Abby placed the slip into Ashley's hand and she stuffed it into her jacket pocket.
"I don't know where she is or when she'll be back", Ashley laughed slightly and scuffed her feet along the ground.
"Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
"No its just me and her, my dad left just after I was born so I've been stuck with this all my life"
"What's the worst it's ever been?" Abby asked curious to see if her experiences matched her own.
"I don't know every time is different. Today was pretty embarrassing! It was parent teacher day at my school and I tried to prevent her from finding out but the school phoned to make sure she was coming. So we're talking to my history teacher and she starts to ask why I've been missing so many classes and my mums oblivious to the fact it's because of her. She started yelling at my teacher and then ran over and smacked her head off a table. Of course she then starts yelling and cursing saying that my teacher attacked her I literally had to drag her out of there and into your hospital. School tomorrows going to be fun!"
Abby draped an arm over Ashley's and gave her a small reassuring squeeze.
"I would tell you that it gets better but I don't want to give you false hope and it's not for you to decide it's their responsibility, whether they stay on their medication or not it's up to them."
Ashley looked up at Abby in confusion, "Who's them?"
"No one... it doesn't matter"
"No tell me I'm curious to know why you have so much knowledge about all this"
Abby paused at the corner of the street, and looked across the road.
"You hungry? I'm starving let's go get something to eat".
"I don't have any money", Ashley muttered quietly
"Oh well you can owe me seeing we're neighbours, and besides I know where you live", Abby dropped her voice with the last comment which prompted another giggle from Ashley.
"Ok I'll eat with you only if you promise to talk to me about who 'they' are"
"Ok it's a deal"
"Can I please have a diet coke and the 'Sundan special'", Abby handed her menu back to the waiter who smiled at her warmly. A giggle emerged from Ashley's mouth and she tried to smother it with her hand.
"I'll just have the same please", Ashley handed her menu over and looked at Abby with a cheeky grin. As the young waiter walked away, he turned around and winked at both of them.
"What was that giggle all about madam?"
Ashley fluttered her eyelids and pouted her lips impersonating Abby.
"I wasn't flirting with him!" protested Abby, "He's probably half my age". Ashley shook her head bemused.
"Do you have a boyfriend? I didn't see a ring on your finger so I guess you're not married any kids?"
"Whoa there so many questions at once"
"I'm sorry I shouldn't be so nosy but I am"
"I haven't got kids no, and I'm currently single and yes the absence of the wedding ring does mean I'm not married" Abby leant across the table and Ashley copied her. "Do you think our waiter is single, you know I might ask him for a marriage proposal".
"Yeah he's pretty cute I think he would be a good first husband to have"
"Second"
"Oh! You've been married before?"
"Yeah, but lets not talk about that I want to enjoy my meal"
"Right it's a deal"
Abby lent back in her chair and looked across the table at Ashley. She was a really pretty girl, small and petite a similar build to Abby's. Her face was wise but at the same time had a cheeky expression which reflected which type of mood or conversation she was having.
"Is someone in your family bipolar", Ashley suddenly asked surprising her. Abby paused and opened her mouth to speak but words refused to come out. Ashley saw her hesitation, "It's okay. I'm sorry you don't have to tell me if you don't want to".
"No no its fine, my mum and my little brother. She's been bipolar ever since I was kid. Eric...he was diagnosed with the disease last year, it was a bit of a nightmare because he was such a good kid growing up but I'm gradually coming to terms with it."
Ashley adjusted her positioning on the chair so she was facing Abby. Her eyes thoughtfully looked outside and up to the sky as snowflakes brushed past the window.
She opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by the waiter.
"Here we go ladies two Sundan specials, enjoy your meal and don't hesitate to call me if there's a problem". Abby looked up and smiled at him. Eyes of a dark hazel glistened and he winked at her again. Both of them sat in silence for a moment, watching the waiter serve the table next to them, and then began to talk avoiding the topical issue of the bipolar disease.
"Oh my god I'm stuffed that was so needed", Ashley lent back in the chair and rested her hands on her stomach.
"It certainly was! Shall we get the bill unless you want dessert?"
Ashley shook her head and groaned, "No I'm too full!"
The warmth of their building beckoned to them and Ashley ran up the last few steps and huddled her frozen body against the door. Abby rummaged around for her keys and produced them after a moment passed.
"You know you should always have your keys out ready just in case", Ashley told Abby wisely.
"Oh yeah and where might your keys be".
Ashley looked sheepishly at Abby, "Well they re in my bag, but that's different".
"I'm sure it is". Abby finally got the door open and let Ashley inside. They paused at the top of the stairs.
"Listen if you ever have a problem please come get me, and if you need more medication for her come to the hospital okay?" Ashley nodded and after a pause threw her arms around Abby's neck giving her an enormous hug.
"Thanks Abby, I really appreciate it".