Walking into the Lava Lounge he could tell by the finally-you-get-here looks they had been waiting for him. "John what held you up?" Susan asked watching John walk over. "Some little med student tried to clear out Abby's locker. I don't think he will be coming back tomorrow, I probably scared the crap out of him." John said, taking a seat next to Susan. "You had every right to be mad, Abby's locker is not going to get cleared out. Not ever." Kerry said, and motioned for the waiter to come over. "Lets all get a glass of wine so we can toast to Abby." Malik said, he did not want to start Carter off again. The waiter brought around the clear colored wine, and set a glass in front of each of them. Kerry stood up, with her glass of wine, "I remember when Abby kept my miscarriage a secret, came to check on me periodically, and then gave me a ride home. I'm forever grateful for that." Kerry said raising her wine glass.
Susan stood up next, "Abby, Deb and I used to go out for girl nights. One of those times I had to much to drink and threw up on Abby's shoes. She didn't care, and just held my head, and told me everything was going to be alright." Susan said raising her wine glass. It was a fun memory to think back upon, all of the times they would sit there talking about the guys, and wondering if the guys were thinking they were all talking about them. It was true, and then they would get drunk and try to walk home, and getting weird looks from guys, who would then walk over and ask them if they wanted a ride home. They always declined, sleeping over at each others house was always way more fun.
Carter stood up and cleared his throat, "I remember when Abby and I were stuck in the hospital with Deb and Pratt. We had some fun times, so much fun I can't discuss it at this table, but the best part was after we were cleared to leave. Abby and I were walking along the beach, and suddenly Abby had taken off all of her clothes. We went skinny dipping in Lake Michigan and had a lot of un that day." John said smiling as he raised his wine glass.
The stories kept coming some of them short, others long, but they all were about Abby, and kept the memories alive. By the time each of them had said a memory all of them had tears streaming down their faces. It was rough, but necessary. They drank their wine in silence, but afterwards it was a free for all. When the bar tender had asked them to leave, all of them were drunk. Carter stumbled his way with Susan and Kerry to the EL, where they all rode over to Susan's apartment, to sleep it off. The ride on the EL was somber but meaning full, each of their eyes told a small story. John stood quietly watching the lights and looking up into the Chicago sky. Tonight would have been a great day for Abby and he to have camped out on the beach like they had been planning too. As they reached the apartment John very quickly allowed Kerry the privilege of the couch. He wouldn't mind sleeping on the floor, as long as he had a pillow he would be fine. He was right, he was out cold in a matter of minutes.