A few days later. Carter and Abby haven't talk anymore since coffee that one night. They have been going about their work , but their friendship seems almost strained. They feel awkward around each other due to the things that were said that one night.
It is late at night. Abby is asleep in her apartment. Then the phone rings. Abby moans and rolls over. The phone rings again, more urgent. Abby goes to grab it, but it drops on the floor. She picks it up (mostly to stop the incessant ringing)
Abby: What?
A hushed voice is heard on the other line.
Abby? Abby?
Abby: Yes, who is this?
Abby, its John
Abby: John, what's the matter. Rolls over and looks at her alarm clock. Its 1:30 in the morning.
John: I know, I know, I'm sorry. Its just long pause
Abby: John, I'm coming over. I'll be there in like ten minutes ok?
John: ok
Abby hangs up the phone and jumps out of bed. She grabs a sweatshirt and hurriedly puts it on. She puts her hair up in a ponytail, grabs her coat and keys and walks out the door.
Ten Minutes Later
Abby rings the doorbell, but no one answers. She tries the door and finds it unlocked. She walks into the darkened hallway.
Abby: John, John, where are you?
Stifled crying is heard from upstairs.
Abby heads up the stairs.
Abby: John, It's Abby, where are you?
Abby finds Carter in the middle of the floor of the nursery. He has boxes around him and he is crying. Abby rushes over to his side.
Abby: Oh my gosh, John. It's ok. It's ok. I'm here. She envelopes him in a hug. What happened? What is all this?
John: each word said between sobs. I took these boxes down to clean the room. You know get rid of Kem's stuff. I started looking at all the stuff in the boxes and it was just… he breaks off
Abby: I know, I know. It hurts. I know. Come here, lets get you out of this room.
John: No, no, I have to finish cleaning. Kem would want her stuff.
Abby: Its ok. Its ok. I'll do it. You need to go to bed. You've been drinking. You need to go to bed. She helps him off the floor and leads him to his room. Once there she lays him down on the bed and starts to walk away
John: Abby?
Abby: What John. She kneels by the head of the bed and wipes some hair off his forehead.
John: Thanks for being here.
Abby: Anytime
Abby gets up to walk away
John: Abby, wait. Carter sits up in the bed
Abby stops and sits down next to Carter on the bed.
Abby: What?
Carter leans in and kisses her on the lips
Abby breaks the kiss
Abby: John this is a mistake
John: No, no it isn't
Abby: Yes, we've been down this road before. Plus you're drunk and upset. You're not thinking clearly. I'll go clean up the room. Go to sleep John.
John: Abby, no. Don't go.
Abby gets up from the bed and walks to the door. She switches off the lights
Abby: Goodnight John.
Abby walks across to the nursery. She sits down in the middle of the boxes, where Carter was sitting before. She starts to sort through the various pictures and letters scattered on the floor. The song 'Stand by your side" by Celine Dion plays softly in the background.
"I cry and you comfort me
I'm lost and you hear my scream
So it's hard to watch you falling
When you run so deep in me
You live in me"
She picks up a picture of Carter and Kem smiling in Africa. She puts it in one pile. Then she picks up another of a sonogram and puts it into other pile.
"Gonna stand by your side now
Let me kiss all your tears away
You can stay in my arms now
And I know I can make you believe again"
Abby continues to do this until she finishes sorting the pictures on the ground. Then she reaches for a closed box. On the top it says "Abby." She takes a quick look around to make sure no one in looking and then opens the box.
"I walk but you can run through fire
I search for reasons and baby you inspire
But I know somebody hurt you
And I know you really need a friend
Well you can take my hand"
She starts taking things out of the box. Old pictures of them together. Smiling, laughing, having fun. There is a sea shell from that one day at the beach after lockdown. An old movie ticket. Near the bottom is a little black box. Abby takes it out and opens it. Inside is the engagement ring Carter meant to give her.
"Gonna stand by your side now
Let me kiss all your tears away
You can stay in my arms now
And I know I can make you believe again"
Abby looks at the ring and then put it back in the box. She starts to put everything back in the box, taking one last look at a picture of them kissing. A tear rolls down her cheek. She wipes it away. She gets up and pushes the box away.
"So when you're feeling like you can't go on
Don't you know
You never walk alone no
And you live in me"
Abby goes into Carter's room. Carter is asleep. She pulls a blanket over his shoulders and kisses his forehead. Then she sits down in the chair next to his bed and falls asleep.
"Gonna stand by your side now
Let me kiss all your tears away
You can stay in my arms now
And I know I can make you believe again"
Fades to black
The next morning. The sun is shining into the room. Carter wakes up and looks around. Abby is still sleeping in the chair. He looks confused for a second, then he remembers the events of last night. He gets up from bed quietly and goes downstairs to make some coffee. About ten minutes later Abby wakes up to the smell of fresh coffee. She gets up and stretches. Then she walks downstairs to find Carter in the kitchen. Carter's back is turned to her.
Abby: Mornin'
Carter turns around
Carter: Mornin'. Thanks for coming over last night.
Abby: No problem. Carter hands her a cup of coffee. Thanks. Abby sits down at the table. Carter joins her with his coffee. Abby massages her neck.
Carter: You ok?
Abby: yeah, just totally regretting sleeping on that chair last night.
Carter: Why didn't you just come lay down on the bed?
Abby: Because you were spread out all over the bed and I didn't want to disturb you. Carter smiles. Abby smiles back.
Abby: Do you have to work today?
Carter: No, you?
Abby: No
Silence ensues as each drink their coffee and is lost in his/her thoughts.
Abby: Well I should be going
Carter: Are you sure, do you want to do something today.
Abby: No I've got some things to do today and I really need to go home and shower. I put all the stuff back in the boxes for you.
Carter: yeah, thanks again
Abby: anytime. I'm here for you always. They smile at each other. Well, bye. I'll see you later.
Abby gets up and walks to the door. Carter follows her. He opens the door and she walks out.
Carter: Bye
Then he shuts the door and leans up against it and sighs.
After a few moments he goes upstairs to the nursery. He sees the boxes and on top is the one labeled "Abby." He sees that it has been opened and kneels down beside it.
Carter: Oh Abby. I'm so sorry.