Title: Changes
Author: Me
Email: soap_queen@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: Don't own anything at all.
A/N: Thank you Patti for being a beta reader and the best cheering section. Check out some of her Third Watch Stories, including the one we write together called Off Duty.
Ch 3
"So, you just said yes?" Susan asked in disbelief.
"Yes, I said yes. What is the big deal?" Abby asked.
"It's just a little strange. You just met the guy."
"I knew him when we were kids."
"But still," Susan protested. "Isn't it a little fast?"
"No. Not really. Look the last time I had a real first date was probably Luka and that didn't end well."
"What happened?"
"He killed a guy who tried to mug us."
"What?"
"Yeah. I probably should've taken that as a sign," Abby said as she made herself comfortable in a chair.
"Probably," Susan agreed. "But back to Mike. Abby, are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"I'm going out with a guy I've known since I was eight."
"Yes but you said you haven't seen him since you were seventeen. A lot has happened since then. One marriage, Luka, and Carter have happened since then. Speaking of Carter, you know we got word that he'll be back soon," Susan fibbed. It was a little white lie. The staff had just gotten the word that Carter would be back soon. She, of course, had known for about a week already.
"Susan, in case you missed the news, let me fill you in. The last communication I had from Carter specifically told me not to wait for him. I am merely taking Dr. Rat's advice," Abby said cheerfully. "Look, it was fun, some of the time, but you know, it's over. I have to get on with my life. I'm sure Carter's getting on with his. There must be someone warming his bed over there."
"Abby!"
"What? Luka came back with someone. Why can't Carter get with someone while he's over there?"
"'Cause he's Carter and he doesn't do that kind of thing."
"Yeah he does. A few examples that I've heard about over the years okay? Dr. Keaton, Roxanne, and Rena. The last one I knew personally."
"He slept with Abby Keaton?" Susan asked, amazed. "She's like ten years older then he is."
"And Rena was more than ten years younger then he is."
"God, I never knew Carter had a disgusting male side to him," Susan said. "He ever boff someone in a linen closet?"
"I don't think so," Abby said. "Why? What do you know?"
"Luka."
"Oh that. I knew about that. Did I ever tell you about Nicole?"
"Who's Nicole?"
"A fling Luka had. She turned out to be a major thief."
"Oh, right. I remember her. He slept with her?"
"Yeah," Abby neglected to mention the abortion Nicole had had. Luka still didn't know about that.
"Hey, how's Maggie?"
"She's good. She's heading home tomorrow. I'm taking her to Grand Central in the morning."
"Doesn't fly, right?"
"Right."
"I know that story," Susan said. "Oh shoot! Abby I gotta go. I'm gonna be late for work. Call me when you get home. I want the details of your date."
"You sure?"
"Yes. I am. It'll give me something to tell Jing-Mei about."
"Tell her I say hi."
"I will. Bye."
"Bye."
0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0
"Your mom seems to be doing well," Mike said once they were sitting at a table in an Italian restaurant a few blocks from Thin Blue Line.
"She is. She's willing to stay on her medication and she's in therapy. It's been like that for over two years now."
"That's great," Mike said.
"Yeah. Especially considering what she was like when we were kids."
"Wasn't gonna go there."
"Might as well let be said so it's not sitting there."
"Yeah I guess. What happened?"
"What?"
"To change Maggie. What happened?" Mike took a sip of water.
"Oh. She tried to kill herself."
Mike sent a spray of water flying at the table next to them. "So sorry," he said to the couple. "She tried to do what?"
"She tried to kill herself. See, my ex, Richard, came to the hospital and told me that someone from a motel in Oklahoma called. She had my old number, which is still his number, in her purse. I went out there with a friend and got her. On the way back we stopped at a convenience store. She swiped a box of pills and took them all."
"What kind?"
"Sleeping. She took them before we got in the car to keep driving to Chicago. By the time we got there she was barely responsive."
"What happened then?"
"Then we saved her, she was committed and then released by a judge's order. Then she decided to go back to Minnesota where she's been for the past two years. But before she went she told me that she'd made a realization in that trauma room. She didn't want to die and she didn't want her little girl to watch her die," Abby finished and looked up at Mike. "So, now that I've completely scared you off, shall we eat?"
"You didn't scare me off Abby," Mike smiled and took one of Abby's hands. "I've known you too long. C'mon. Remember how many summer nights you and I slept out in the woods because neither of us wanted to go home?"
"Remember all the times your grandmother tried to teach us Gaelic?"
"I remember all the times my grandma yelled at me and Eric in Gaelic."
"You deserved it."
"Hey!"
Abby smiled, "It's kinda nice having someone that knows what my demons are."
"You can't touch me Wyczenski. I know all your secrets."
"Same to you Logan."
"Hey, that reminds me. How's Eric?"
"He's adjusting."
"Adjusting?"
"Yeah. Last year he was diagnosed as-"
Mike got it. "Oh hell, Ab, I'm sorry."
"Funny if you think about it. I was terrified it was going to be me. My mother watched me from the time I was a little girl. Turns out we should've been watching Eric."
"It's not funny. Not even a little bit," Mike shook his head. "So, I take it that means he's out of the Air Force?"
"Yeah," Abby nodded. "After he was discharged, I tried to get him into a program. It didn't work. He and Maggie went back to Minnesota where she tried to make him see a therapist and stay on his meds."
"I take it that that didn't work either."
"No. He took off. He bought a plane and disappeared off the radar."
"Abby, he's not-"
"No! No, he's okay. We found him. Actually, he found me. He called and I went to get him. I got him back to Chicago and he made a public scene at my ex-boyfriend's grandmother's burial," Abby nodded.
"What did he do?"
"He peed on a tree in front of all the mourners and then fell into Mrs. Carter's open grave."
To his credit Mike didn't laugh. He did, however, tighten the grip he had on Abby's hand a little. "Where is he now?"
"Hospital in Minnesota. Mom checked him in and she's not checking him out until he's willing to take care of himself properly."
"Good for her," Mike nodded.
"Yeah. I've got an idea."
"I'm listening."
Abby leaned in closer, "Well, I caught you up on all my demons before we ordered. Why don't we wait till after dinner to get up to speed on yours?"
"Deal," Mike smiled.
~(~(~(~(~(~(~(~(~
"You hit him?" Abby asked as they walked down the street after dinner.
"Yep."
"In front of witnesses?"
"Not just witnesses, a TV camera."
"Jesus Mikey, did you learn nothing watching The Godfather? Never leave any witnesses."
Mike laughed. "I must have forgotten that lesson," he nodded. "You want coffee?"
"It's hot enough out here. Let's get ice cream," she pointed. "On me."
"Sounds good," Mike took her hand and they walked towards the shop. "You still like vanilla?"
"Boring. Chocolate chip mint. You still like rum raisin?"
"Gave that up a while ago. Strawberry."
"Guess some things do change."
"Sometimes. But there are things that never change," he smiled.
Abby smiled too and looked down at their joined hands. Mike was right. There were some things that never changed.
~(~(~(~(~(~(~
"Susan? It's Abby."
"Hey. I was hoping you'd call. So?"
"There are no words."
"That bad?"
"That good. A lot of old feelings came back. Feelings that I'd put aside a long time ago."
"Just how close were the two of you growing up?"
"Okay, first guy I slept with. Howie. First guy I loved? Mike."
"First guy you loved and the second guy you slept with?"
"For an entire summer. God, Susan, tonight he kissed me and everything good and bad about us just come flooding back."
"First loves are powerful things," Susan said cautiously suddenly glad Carter was a couple thousand miles away and not able to take her cell phone from her hand to try to talk to Abby.
"It's more than that."
"How much more?"
"He never bailed on me when it came to Maggie, ya know? He never made me feel like the things she did were my fault."
"Did Carter or Luka?"
"No they never made me feel bad about Maggie."
"Emphasis on Maggie. This is about Eric, right?"
"And I know he didn't do it on purpose but dammit, yes Carter made me feel like what Eric did was my fault." Abby sighed on her end. "I mean, what was I supposed to do? Leave him at home and hope he didn't do anything stupid?"
Susan wasn't sure how to answer her friend so she asked, "So, how was the kiss? Has Mike improved over the years?"
"Yes and it still made me feel like I'd never been kissed before."
"Oh boy," Susan said. This was not good news. Well it was good news for Abby but not for Carter. "So? What now?"
"Now I take the rest of my vacation time, sick days, and personal days and I figure out what I want."
"Do you have an inkling?"
"Yeah, I think I might," Abby smiled. "Susan, I hope that we stay friends even if I never set foot in Chicago again."
"Jeez Abby, don't get morbid on me. Of course we'll stay friends. Besides, I might have to make the trip to New York just to see if this Mike guy is good enough for you."
"Trust me, he's perfect for me," Abby grinned.
Author: Me
Email: soap_queen@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: Don't own anything at all.
A/N: Thank you Patti for being a beta reader and the best cheering section. Check out some of her Third Watch Stories, including the one we write together called Off Duty.
Ch 3
"So, you just said yes?" Susan asked in disbelief.
"Yes, I said yes. What is the big deal?" Abby asked.
"It's just a little strange. You just met the guy."
"I knew him when we were kids."
"But still," Susan protested. "Isn't it a little fast?"
"No. Not really. Look the last time I had a real first date was probably Luka and that didn't end well."
"What happened?"
"He killed a guy who tried to mug us."
"What?"
"Yeah. I probably should've taken that as a sign," Abby said as she made herself comfortable in a chair.
"Probably," Susan agreed. "But back to Mike. Abby, are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"I'm going out with a guy I've known since I was eight."
"Yes but you said you haven't seen him since you were seventeen. A lot has happened since then. One marriage, Luka, and Carter have happened since then. Speaking of Carter, you know we got word that he'll be back soon," Susan fibbed. It was a little white lie. The staff had just gotten the word that Carter would be back soon. She, of course, had known for about a week already.
"Susan, in case you missed the news, let me fill you in. The last communication I had from Carter specifically told me not to wait for him. I am merely taking Dr. Rat's advice," Abby said cheerfully. "Look, it was fun, some of the time, but you know, it's over. I have to get on with my life. I'm sure Carter's getting on with his. There must be someone warming his bed over there."
"Abby!"
"What? Luka came back with someone. Why can't Carter get with someone while he's over there?"
"'Cause he's Carter and he doesn't do that kind of thing."
"Yeah he does. A few examples that I've heard about over the years okay? Dr. Keaton, Roxanne, and Rena. The last one I knew personally."
"He slept with Abby Keaton?" Susan asked, amazed. "She's like ten years older then he is."
"And Rena was more than ten years younger then he is."
"God, I never knew Carter had a disgusting male side to him," Susan said. "He ever boff someone in a linen closet?"
"I don't think so," Abby said. "Why? What do you know?"
"Luka."
"Oh that. I knew about that. Did I ever tell you about Nicole?"
"Who's Nicole?"
"A fling Luka had. She turned out to be a major thief."
"Oh, right. I remember her. He slept with her?"
"Yeah," Abby neglected to mention the abortion Nicole had had. Luka still didn't know about that.
"Hey, how's Maggie?"
"She's good. She's heading home tomorrow. I'm taking her to Grand Central in the morning."
"Doesn't fly, right?"
"Right."
"I know that story," Susan said. "Oh shoot! Abby I gotta go. I'm gonna be late for work. Call me when you get home. I want the details of your date."
"You sure?"
"Yes. I am. It'll give me something to tell Jing-Mei about."
"Tell her I say hi."
"I will. Bye."
"Bye."
0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0
"Your mom seems to be doing well," Mike said once they were sitting at a table in an Italian restaurant a few blocks from Thin Blue Line.
"She is. She's willing to stay on her medication and she's in therapy. It's been like that for over two years now."
"That's great," Mike said.
"Yeah. Especially considering what she was like when we were kids."
"Wasn't gonna go there."
"Might as well let be said so it's not sitting there."
"Yeah I guess. What happened?"
"What?"
"To change Maggie. What happened?" Mike took a sip of water.
"Oh. She tried to kill herself."
Mike sent a spray of water flying at the table next to them. "So sorry," he said to the couple. "She tried to do what?"
"She tried to kill herself. See, my ex, Richard, came to the hospital and told me that someone from a motel in Oklahoma called. She had my old number, which is still his number, in her purse. I went out there with a friend and got her. On the way back we stopped at a convenience store. She swiped a box of pills and took them all."
"What kind?"
"Sleeping. She took them before we got in the car to keep driving to Chicago. By the time we got there she was barely responsive."
"What happened then?"
"Then we saved her, she was committed and then released by a judge's order. Then she decided to go back to Minnesota where she's been for the past two years. But before she went she told me that she'd made a realization in that trauma room. She didn't want to die and she didn't want her little girl to watch her die," Abby finished and looked up at Mike. "So, now that I've completely scared you off, shall we eat?"
"You didn't scare me off Abby," Mike smiled and took one of Abby's hands. "I've known you too long. C'mon. Remember how many summer nights you and I slept out in the woods because neither of us wanted to go home?"
"Remember all the times your grandmother tried to teach us Gaelic?"
"I remember all the times my grandma yelled at me and Eric in Gaelic."
"You deserved it."
"Hey!"
Abby smiled, "It's kinda nice having someone that knows what my demons are."
"You can't touch me Wyczenski. I know all your secrets."
"Same to you Logan."
"Hey, that reminds me. How's Eric?"
"He's adjusting."
"Adjusting?"
"Yeah. Last year he was diagnosed as-"
Mike got it. "Oh hell, Ab, I'm sorry."
"Funny if you think about it. I was terrified it was going to be me. My mother watched me from the time I was a little girl. Turns out we should've been watching Eric."
"It's not funny. Not even a little bit," Mike shook his head. "So, I take it that means he's out of the Air Force?"
"Yeah," Abby nodded. "After he was discharged, I tried to get him into a program. It didn't work. He and Maggie went back to Minnesota where she tried to make him see a therapist and stay on his meds."
"I take it that that didn't work either."
"No. He took off. He bought a plane and disappeared off the radar."
"Abby, he's not-"
"No! No, he's okay. We found him. Actually, he found me. He called and I went to get him. I got him back to Chicago and he made a public scene at my ex-boyfriend's grandmother's burial," Abby nodded.
"What did he do?"
"He peed on a tree in front of all the mourners and then fell into Mrs. Carter's open grave."
To his credit Mike didn't laugh. He did, however, tighten the grip he had on Abby's hand a little. "Where is he now?"
"Hospital in Minnesota. Mom checked him in and she's not checking him out until he's willing to take care of himself properly."
"Good for her," Mike nodded.
"Yeah. I've got an idea."
"I'm listening."
Abby leaned in closer, "Well, I caught you up on all my demons before we ordered. Why don't we wait till after dinner to get up to speed on yours?"
"Deal," Mike smiled.
~(~(~(~(~(~(~(~(~
"You hit him?" Abby asked as they walked down the street after dinner.
"Yep."
"In front of witnesses?"
"Not just witnesses, a TV camera."
"Jesus Mikey, did you learn nothing watching The Godfather? Never leave any witnesses."
Mike laughed. "I must have forgotten that lesson," he nodded. "You want coffee?"
"It's hot enough out here. Let's get ice cream," she pointed. "On me."
"Sounds good," Mike took her hand and they walked towards the shop. "You still like vanilla?"
"Boring. Chocolate chip mint. You still like rum raisin?"
"Gave that up a while ago. Strawberry."
"Guess some things do change."
"Sometimes. But there are things that never change," he smiled.
Abby smiled too and looked down at their joined hands. Mike was right. There were some things that never changed.
~(~(~(~(~(~(~
"Susan? It's Abby."
"Hey. I was hoping you'd call. So?"
"There are no words."
"That bad?"
"That good. A lot of old feelings came back. Feelings that I'd put aside a long time ago."
"Just how close were the two of you growing up?"
"Okay, first guy I slept with. Howie. First guy I loved? Mike."
"First guy you loved and the second guy you slept with?"
"For an entire summer. God, Susan, tonight he kissed me and everything good and bad about us just come flooding back."
"First loves are powerful things," Susan said cautiously suddenly glad Carter was a couple thousand miles away and not able to take her cell phone from her hand to try to talk to Abby.
"It's more than that."
"How much more?"
"He never bailed on me when it came to Maggie, ya know? He never made me feel like the things she did were my fault."
"Did Carter or Luka?"
"No they never made me feel bad about Maggie."
"Emphasis on Maggie. This is about Eric, right?"
"And I know he didn't do it on purpose but dammit, yes Carter made me feel like what Eric did was my fault." Abby sighed on her end. "I mean, what was I supposed to do? Leave him at home and hope he didn't do anything stupid?"
Susan wasn't sure how to answer her friend so she asked, "So, how was the kiss? Has Mike improved over the years?"
"Yes and it still made me feel like I'd never been kissed before."
"Oh boy," Susan said. This was not good news. Well it was good news for Abby but not for Carter. "So? What now?"
"Now I take the rest of my vacation time, sick days, and personal days and I figure out what I want."
"Do you have an inkling?"
"Yeah, I think I might," Abby smiled. "Susan, I hope that we stay friends even if I never set foot in Chicago again."
"Jeez Abby, don't get morbid on me. Of course we'll stay friends. Besides, I might have to make the trip to New York just to see if this Mike guy is good enough for you."
"Trust me, he's perfect for me," Abby grinned.