Chapter 13- What Are Friends For?
"Has anyone seen Neela this morning?" Susan asked rounding up the interns for a quick meeting.
"No" Abby replied, shaking her head and looked around at the others.
"Ray?"
"Search me Dr Lewis, I didn't see her at home this morning"
"I guess we'll have to start without her!" Abby snapped, in an abrupt tone.
She stepped back when everyone turned to look at her, she knew what everyone was thinking what's her problem? She folded her arms and looked down at her shoes, pursing her lips, avoiding eye contact with them.
"Thank you Abby!" Susan said, frowning at her. "Right, remember eye contact with patients at all times when you introduce yourself, when you explain the diagnosis to them, ok? You can all go now"
The group dissembled and Susan stepped forward, shook her head at Abby.
"Abby I think we need that talk now" said Susan, screwing up her nose. "We didn't get the chance last night, shall we go in the office?"
The two doctors entered the office; it was dark and unused, Susan reached for the switch on the wall to turn on the lights. The flickering of the fluorescent lighting made Abby winced as it aggravated the sensitivity of her tension headache.
"I'm sorry Susan" Abby apologized, rubbing her temples.
"Look Abby don't jump down my throat, I have notice the bruising on your lips and jaw line" Susan sat down and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Did Jake hit you?"
"No"
"Well who did it then?
"It was Jake's brother" She shamefully looked away.
"His brother! Why his brother?"
"Well obviously Jake was upset about seeing me giving Carter a kiss yesterday"
Susan gasped, trying not to smile.
"Anyway Eddie attacked me on my way to the ladies room"
"Jeez… I thought you were a bit quiet when you came back, why didn't you say something"
"What is there to say? I thought I'd deal with this myself"
"I'm surprised you haven't gone to the cops…?"
"So I erm…dumped Jake this morning"
"So I guess that's it then?"
"Erm... Nope" Abby replied leaning against the sideboard and looking up at the ceiling "Gee! Carter really gonna thank me now!"
Susan arched her brow looking intrigued.
"Carter came to me yesterday to say that the… the…" Abby took a hard swallow trying to bring herself to say it "the contraception had failed, so I kissed him thank you and said I would go do something about it"
Abby took in a deep breath and Susan opened her mouth in surprise.
"And this morning I realised I had forgot to take the emergency pill…" She wiped under her eye, trying not to break down and cry. "It's too late Susan… It was 3 days ago… since we did it"
"Oh I'm sorry" Susan rose up from the chair and gave Abby a hug.
"I guess I'll just have to wait…" Abby sniffed "for my next period…"
"If it comes to the worst, I'm sure Carter would be thrilled" She said, rubbing her arm with reassurance
"Huh! You don't know how I'm feeling…" Abby snapped, she sighed and apologizes "I'm sorry, I've had so much happening this week"
"It's understandable"
"I guess I'd better get back to work, I have a patient waiting for results"
Abby broke away from their hug and opened the door to leave the room.
"Thanks Susan… for listening" She said, giving a sad smile.
"Don't mention it, what are friends for...? I think you'd be a great mom!" Susan grinned.
"Take these 4 times daily with food and see your doctor in a weeks time" Abby said, advising her elderly patient "And here's your discharge letter"
"Thank you"
"Take care of yourself, bye" Abby grinned
She walked to the admit desk to put a file in the out tray and picked up a form. She placed a pen in her mouth and watched Susan pacing up and down the ER. 'Mmm bet she wished never taken the Chief position… oh yes I might that cigarette now it's quiet…" She then saw Jake walking towards her oh god!
"Can you sign here for me?" Jake asked
"Please? Lets have some manners here young man" She looked at him in disparagement. She squiggled her signature, whipped the form up and gave it to him.
"I hope you get what want," Jake whispered to Abby, nudging her arm.
"Abby, if you're not busy, can you go and find Neela" Susan asked worriedly
"Hasn't she come in yet?" Abby frowned with puzzlement knowing this was so not Neela to come in late
"I've tried her phone, pager, you name it!" Susan ranted on.
"Ok calm down Susan! I think I know where she might be…" Abby said, rushing off to the lounge to get her coat.