Not Alone

Chapter 6



Abby couldn't believe it. "How did you know that I'm not in Chicago, Mom?"

"I've been trying to get a hold of you, but I couldn't so I phoned your work and talked to John."

"He told you I left," Abby said. She couldn't believe that John told Maggie, he knew how much she didn't need her mom interfering with her life.

"Abby, John didn't tell me anything, I guessed. Why did you leave John and Chicago behind?"

Abby sighed. She couldn't deal with her mom right now. "I just left town to sort things out."

"But Abby why? John is a wonderful man. He has been there with you for everything with me and Eric."

"I know, Mom." That is the reason I am doing this, Abby thought to herself.

"Mom, I really need to go now, bye." Abby was about to hang up the phone when her mom stopped her. "Abby, wait. I don't know why you left Chicago, but I think you should go back and be with John. You can't lose a guy like that; you will never find someone like that again."

Abby smiled. "Thanks for the advice."

"Bye," Abby said as she hung up the phone and sighed. Just what I needed, my mom telling me what to do with my life. I need to get out of here, Abby thought to herself as she grabbed her jacket and left the hotel.

**
About a half an hour later,

Abby was driving around the block when she saw a diner nearby, and she decided to stop to get something to eat. She walked into the diner, and walked up to the stool, and sat down.

"What would you like?" the waitress asked. Abby looked at the menu. "A coffee and a ham sandwich."

"Okay I will be back with your order," the waitress said.

A while later,

"You aren't from around here, are you?" the waitress asked. Abby shook her head.

"Visiting family or friends?"

"Neither." The waitress looked at Abby. "Having boyfriend problems are we? I have been there before. What did he do cheat on you, lie to you since the start of the relationship?"

Abby laughed. "No, not any of them. He is the best boyfriend I have ever had. He is sweet, caring..."

"What are you doing here alone when you could be with him?" the waitress laughed.

"I just need some time away," Abby said.  

"So what do you do?" the waitress asked, as she poured Abby another cup of coffee. "I'm a nurse."

Abby couldn't believe that she was telling a total stranger about her life. A half an hour later, Abby stood up. "Well I should be getting back to my hotel, it was nice talking to you Julie."

"How long are you going to be here?" Julie called out to Abby as she was getting her jacket. She turned around. "I don't know yet."

"Come back here whenever you want."

"Thanks," she smiled as she walked out of the diner.



**
A few days later at County,

Susan was sitting in the lounge when Carter walked into the lounge. "Hi," she said. Carter looked up. "Hey Susan," he said as he walked up to his locker, put his lab coat away, and put his jacket on.

"I talked to Abby yesterday," Susan said. Carter turned around. "How is she?"

Susan stood up. "I can see you love her, so why don't you tell her that?"

"Haven't you forgotten that Abby isn't in town? What do you want me to do, search the whole county for her? She could be anywhere."

Susan took a piece of paper out of her pocket. "She told me where she is staying, she is staying in Springfield."

Carter looked at Susan. "That is nice, what do you think I am going to do about it? She told me that she wanted some time by herself to sort things out, and that is exactly what I am giving her."

Susan put the piece of paper in his hand. "Don't pass up this chance. What happens if Abby decided not to come back and she moves out of Chicago? Wouldn't you regret letting Abby go without a fight?"

Susan looked at her watch. "I got to get back to work, but think about what I said," she said as she walked out of the lounge.

Carter was still holding the piece of paper with the address where Abby was staying. He sighed and just threw the piece of paper in the trash can.

But suddenly Carter had a second thought and took the piece of paper out of the trash, just in case he changed his mind later on.


**

The next day,


Abby was sitting on her bed watching TV, thinking about what she was going to do about her relationship with Carter. She picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Susan, it's me Abby."

"Is everything okay?" Susan asked, as she could tell that something was bothering Abby.

Abby sighed. "I don't know, Susan. I thought with me being away that I would be able to sort things out and realize what I want to do, but I am more confused about me and Carter."

"What are you so afraid of Abby? "Susan asked.

"I'm not afraid of anything; I just think Carter and me aren't going to work out. We are two different people, it could never last, I should have realized that at the beginning, but I was just so happy being with him."

"If you know all this, why are you asking me what to do?" Susan questioned Abby.

"I really don't know."

"Are you coming back to County, or are you really leaving Chicago for good?" Susan asked. Abby sighed." I know I have to come back to Chicago to talk to John, but that is all I have thought so far."

"Abby, we miss you here at County. The nurse that Kerry got temporary while you are away doesn't really know what she is doing. Please come back, we need you!" Susan laughed.

"You are the one that misses me, aren't you?"

Susan laughed. "Maybe." Suddenly there was a knock at Abby's door. "I got to go now."

"Bye," Abby said, as she hung the phone up. The person knocked at the door again.
I didn't call room service, I wonder who it is? she thought to herself.

She looked through the peephole, and couldn't believe who it was.

"What are you doing here, Carter?"

To be continued!!