Chapter 2: You can't say that I don't ever write.

The time got away from me and before I knew it I had been at home for almost 6 months. I loved being back in Philadelphia and near my family again of course I missed all the friends that I had made while working at County but the two people that I found that I missed the most were Doug and Carter. For some reason it was the two who popped into my head more than anyone else.

I sat down that night after working a long shift having more trauma patients than I care to have had to deal with and the loss of a youngster that no one expected. I decided that it was time to write my friends again, after all I promised Doug I would keep in touch.

December 12, 1998

Hey Doug,

Yeah I would have started this one Dear Doug, but hey you are so not dear to me. Friend yes, dear not a chance, but I'm sorry that I haven't written in a long time. I can't believe that it's been almost six months since I left County for Philadelphia. Things here are good, really they are. I have settled into working again and while I miss County, this job is better than that one. Max is somewhere in California this week doing another feasibility study for another ER, but the break away from him is nice. Could you please tell Carter, Carol and everyone else that I say hello and that I miss them. However much I do miss them, it's nice to be home again and have my family near me. My dad seems to be the happiest of all that I decided to come back home. He's constantly inviting me over for dinner and the likes, my schedule allows for me to have time with them which is nice can't complain there. Don't have to work as many nights here as I seemed to work while I was in Chicago. I knew I missed home while I was in Chicago but didn't realize just how much I had until I got back home and could be around them all the time again.

I get to spend Christmas this year with all my younger brothers, I so missed doing that last year, that and my stepmother can cook a lot better than I can. I might be in Chicago after the first of the year for a pediatric conference at Northwestern, but I don't know for sure yet, the chief hasn't told me if he is going to give me the time off to go. It would be nice to see everyone again if that's the case, maybe we can get together for drinks or something. Play that one by ear I guess. Other than that life is good. But I told you that I would keep in touch and really I just don't write. I know that I should but hey what can I say if you would get email then I would be more than happy to write more often cause half the time I can't find my pen and the other half of the time I can't read whatever it is that I scrawl down… you know that doctor's have really, really bad handwriting and I am no exception to that.

Take care of yourself and don't be causing too much trouble there. I know you have a knack for getting yourself into hot water with everyone.

Anna

It was then that I sat down and wrote a second letter, guess if I figured that if I was going to do it I really should do it. And since it wasn't overly late yet I figure why not. I would end up talking to him probably some time next week. I tried to call Carter once a month unless he called me first. Let him foot the phone bill for the late night conversations between Philadelphia and Chicago.

December 12, 1998

Hey John,

Yeah I'm still not going to start any Dear John letters when it comes to you. You know what though today was a really crappy day. I had this trauma that came in and then another and another, I swear that if they lived in Philadelphia today was the day for accidents. Lost a patient today too. I don't think that I will ever get used to that. Some days you feel like you can save the world and then others there is nothing that you can do write. Oh by the way I lost your email address, you want to send it to me again. Hmm guess in order for you do to that I need to give you mine. Now don't you laugh when you get this either cause it's really hard to find good email names and come on I could use my real name that just would be too professional.
Anna.kiddo. yeah it's nothing original or charming but that's life.

Nothing exciting has happened here, well if it has I have managed to miss it. But that leads me into the fact that I have kind of been missing you. Not like massive amounts but I have missed having you around, someone to hang out with on the occasion and not to mention the rides to journal club. Don't have to do that anymore now do you. Lucky you.

No, I know that things will get better, come on they have to right? It's just hard adjusting to everything again, don't get me wrong I am really happy to be back in a place where I feel like I know everyone and my way around, but the staff at County had started to become like a second family to me too. Tell everyone I say hello and give them my love. I will write again soon.

Take Care Carter,

Anna

I put the pen down when I finished getting them ready to mail. In a way I missed being at County but this was home, and home wasn't something that you could find just anywhere. I might have eventually had been this comfortable in Chicago but for right now, Philly was where I felt I totally belonged.