SUSAN'S P.O.V.
It has been a week since they brought Abby and her daughter in. I've never seen Carter this vulnerable. Kerry gave him a few days off, because he wasn't able to work anymore. I could tell from his eyes that he didn't get much sleep, he looks so tired, so sad.
Carter showed up at the hospital to visit Abby every day this week. And everyday it's the same news. No improvement yet. People around here even don't ask about her all the time anymore, they kind of accepted the fact that there may never be any news. I only know that Luka has been up there a few times, but I didn't speak to him about it yet. Honestly, I don't dare to ask him.
I try to visit her as often as I can. Most of the time I stay for an hour, telling her the latest ER gossip or what's been going on at home. Although she doesn't respond I believe that she hears me and I imagine how she would react. I think of all the times we used to go out for ladies night after work, all the times we used to watch a few chick-flick videos, talk about men and eat the most delicious, unhealthy things in the world. I just wish we could go back to that.
Joanne seems to have recovered very well and quickly. She may be discharge from the hospital tomorrow, but the problem is that we were unable to get in touch with someone from Abby's family. Looks like we have to give her into foster-care or one of us has to take her in for a while. I'm still wondering who her father is. We got Joanne's passport, it says that she was born on the 1st of August. Abby left in March, so she was already pregnant when she did. I do not know what Carter thinks about Joanne. I have to talk to him about this. I must know what to do with this little girl
Joanne mildly accepts Abby being in a coma, although she might not understand what's wrong with her mother. She's coming by everyday talking to her like nothing happened. The doctors are telling her all the time that she has to talk to Abby, that Abby can hear her. It's easier to get used to the whole situation this way, I think.
"And they say that I can go tomorrow!" I hear Joanne talking faster and faster becoming totally excited. She's sitting on her mothers bed as I enter Abby's room, "But I don't know where to go, because they said I can't go to our home, because there is nobody who could look after me..." Suddenly she stops talking, she must have noticed me, "Oh look who came, it's your friend Dr. Lewis!" Joanne says smiling squeezing Abby's hand, "Hello Dr. Lewis!"
"Hello Sweetheart," I greet her and get myself a chair, "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine," she answers smiling, but then calms down, "I can go tomorrow they said, but I don't know where to go. I don't know anybody here!"
She is so mature for her age, you wouldn't guess that she just turned seven years old. Maybe I should take her for a while, it's the most I can do for her and Abby now. It will be a little bit stressful, because we normally have enough to do with our own daughter , but we can handle it for a while. Going into foster-care will just make everything worse for her.
"Maybe you can stay with my family for a while." I say carefully, not trying to get her too excited, "I can't promise you anything, but I can try and talk to some people."
Joanne smiles at me, "I would like that! I wish that they say yes!"
"So do I, sweetie, so do I," I just say stroking over her beautiful brown hair.
"How's your Mommy?" I try to change the subject.
"She is still sleeping.", Joanne says touching Abby's arm gently, "She's a sleep head, you know."
I smile at her, "Yes she is."
Seven Years Earlier
"I'm so tired!" Abby yawns at me eating another chocolate bar, "This was the most exhausting week ever!"
"That's your standard sentence every week," I laugh at her.
She pouts, "I know, I shut up, I promise!"
We both burst out into laughter. It's one of these crazy girl's club nights where we just sit around eating, talking and having fun. Unfortunately Chen couldn't make it, so it's just Abby and me.
"So, what's with Carter now?" I ask her getting serious. I know that there is some kind of action between those two again, because everybody knows. It's hard not to see it.
"I don't know," she answers shaking her head. "It's so difficult to tell. First of all I think we're both still in love with each other, but on the other hand there is so much that came between him and me and it's hard to face all those things"
I know that she's talking about Kem and the Baby.
"You know, he will always remember losing his child. And I'm so afraid talking to him about that."
If I just had understood what she was trying to tell me that night. It's so clear to me now, but back then I didn't really put too much thought into it. Joanne and I sit there for a while talking about nothing important until the nurse comes in to check on Abby. We both say goodbye and I bring Joanne back to her room promising that I will ask if she could stay at my place.
On my way back down I suddenly see Carter and I walk up to him, "Hey!"
"Hey," he says without looking at me.
"How are you?" I ask him, knowing that this is the most stupid question right now.
"I'm okay," he answers not showing any sign of emotion.
"I think we should talk about a few things later on. They'll discharge Joanne tomorrow," I say and wait for his reaction.
"Okay, we can talk later then," he says. "See you"
Then he leaves.