Author's Notes: This chapter takes place at two locations, as indicated in text (was the only way I could get it to divide clearly) Hope it makes sense.
Secrets and Lies
Chapter 5
County General ER
Susan sat in the lounge by the phone, Sam's cell lying on the desk beside her. Her fingers hovered over the numbers, her hand physically shaking. Bile burned the back of her throat, and she was still crying. She couldn't quite believe she was about to do this. She waited a moment; sure she would have to run out of tears eventually.
She forced herself to dial, overcoming the hate and the fear that burned in her stomach, swallowing the heavy lump in her throat. The phone only rang three times before it was answered.
"Hello?"
An unfamiliar singsong voice answered the phone brightly. She hesitated momentarily. Relief invaded her body; glad she didn't have to speak directly to Neela. She wasn't quite sure she was ready for that yet.
"Is Dr Rasgotra there please?"
She fumbled over the unfamiliar second name. Once upon a time she could have pronounced it without a second thought, but now it was a bitter memory in the mists of time and she struggled.
"She's at work, can I ask who's calling please?"
The voice remained almost falsely cheery. It did grate slightly, but Susan remained focussed. She had to otherwise she'd break down again.
"This is Dr Susan Lewis at County General in Chicago. Do you have a way to contact her?"
"Yes, yes I do. Is it important?"
"She will want to hear this right away,"
She insisted, emphasis heavy on the final two words.
"What's the message, Dr Lewis?"
"Tell her…"
She faltered, her breath catching. She knew what news like this would do to the younger woman, but yet also knew it was probably the last thing she would ever do for Abby. She didn't understand it, but she'd always been loyal to a fault and that wouldn't change now.
"Tell her Abby's dying, and won't see morning,"
"Oh,"
It probably wasn't quite the news the other woman had expected. Susan sighed heavily.
"It's really important she gets this message,"
"I understand,"
The words came slowly, softly. The phone clicked back into place. There, she'd done it. She didn't know how she would have reacted had Neela answered the phone and was secretly glad she hadn't had to find out.
Neela's Work
Fingers slowly massaged her temples, and she glanced up at the digital clock over the counter one more time. Only two minutes since she'd last looked at it. 8:05pm. An hour until she finished. She had a headache, and all her limbs were lead weights.
"Neela,"
She turned at her name on her manager's lips. The older woman held out the phone to her.
"Call for you,"
She left the desk and crossed quickly to the phone.
"Make it quick,"
Her manager hissed in her ear. Why she wasn't sure. The shop was dead, and the shelves were stocked. There really wasn't anything to do.
"Yes?"
"Neela, it's Jenny,"
Her babysitters voice filtered into her brain and she instantly feared the worst. Her daughter. What had happened?
"Jenny, what's wrong? What happened? How's Mina?"
"Relax, Mina's fine,"Her shoulders relaxed, her fingers released their vice grip on the phone cord. Jenny paused, her breathing faltered.
"Jenny?"
She questioned again. Why would she phone her at work anyway?
"I had a woman on the phone. From County General - a Susan Lewis?"
"Yes,"
"Anyway, she said to let you know…. to let you know that Abby's dying and won't see morning, "
Her body went cold. How had Susan gotten her number? And why had Sam broken the promise she'd made? That she'd let her know when it happened, not before. Chicago beckoned to her from the deep mists of her memory, and she shivered involuntarily.
"Neela? Does that make sense to you?"
She nodded, before realising Jenny couldn't see her.
"Yes, yes, Jenny it does,"
"Are you going to go?"
"Back to Chicago? I have to,"
She affirmed quietly, planning it all in her head. She would take Mina back to the scene of the crime that had so plagued her young life so far. She would face the demons she'd hoped she'd buried. And she would say a proper goodbye to the friend she'd so betrayed.
"The Greyhound gets here in about a half hour. Shall I get you a bag ready?"
Jenny said earnestly, clearly keen to help.
"Yes, Jenny, that'd be great. Get Mina ready too,"
"I'll bring them down to the shop,"
She hung up then, and spun on her heel to face the manager, who'd been glaring at her, clearly seething, from the corner through the whole phone call.
"Meg? I have to go,"
She called over to her boss. The redhead cocked her head.
"You have to? You've got another hour!"
"One of my family is very sick. I have to get home,"
The lie came remarkably easily. She couldn't bring herself to care very much about lying to Meg. She didn't pay her enough to care about the odd lie.
"Oh, I see, oh well, that's different,"
Meg back-pedalled quickly. Neela left her post, crossed to the staff room door, and clocked herself out. She marched herself out the front door to wait on Jenny.