Chapter 7: Missing Each Other
She said I can't take this place
I'm leaving it behind
Well she said I can't take this town
I'm leaving you tonight…
After avoiding Carter completely the whole next day, Abby and Susan go back to Abby's to get her stuff and start the long road trip to Chicago. "That's the last of it," Abby says, throwing the last duffel bag filled with stuff into the trunk of her car.
"Okay," Susan says, getting into the passenger seat (Abby was gonna drive the first half and her the second,) "Are you sure about this?" she asks Abby, just to make sure before they leave.
"Yeah," Abby says, pulling out of the driveway. "It's now or never."
---
They told no one, so it wasn't a surprise when Lizzie and Deb kept trying to contact them to find out where they were. "That's the fifth time I called Susan today," Deb complains.
"I think I've called her six times already too," Elizabeth says.
"Wonder why she isn't answering…" Deb says.
"Probably forgot to charge her cell again,"
"Yea, hey let's go to the beach…"
---
"I miss him," Abby finally admits in the car. They are on a highway, and halfway to Chicago.
"Miss who?" Susan asks.
"Carter."
"You really should've told him ya know," Susan tells her.
"No. He would've made me stay so he could help. And then...it would just ruin what he has worked so hard for."
"But he should know."
"Susan, I don't wanna have this conversation," Abby says grumpily. Susan decides to stay quiet for a while.
After a few minutes of complete silence, Susan decides to speak up again. "Has he tried to call yet?" she finally asks.
"Yeah," Abby says giving the simplest answer possible.
"Care to share more?"
"About ten fucking times! Okay?" Abby says, obviously getting quite upset.
---
Carter picks up his phone and dials Abby's number. It rings- once, twice…
---
"Shit, it's him again," Abby says her eyes teary and face red from crying. She wipes a stray tear away. "Here, just answer it. Make something up," Abby says throwing the phone towards Susan.
Susan looks at Abby. "No,"
"Please Suz," Abby says.
"No, you have to tell him!"
"No I don't!"
"Yes you do."
"Just forget it!" she yells, snatching the phone away from Susan and letting it ring until finally Carter gave up.
An hour later, and the two have said nothing to each other. Abby just sits looking out the window locked in a trance while Susan drives the car. "Suz, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get all…ya know?"
"Bitchy?"
"Yeah," Abby smiles.
"Well, I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to push you about telling Carter. Though I do think you should really tell him."
"I know," Abby says looking down.
---
"Hey," Carter says, walking up to Deb and Elizabeth. They are eating lunch under the maple tree like always, just without Abby and Susan.
"Oh, hi Carter," Deb says.
"Do you guys have a clue where Abby is?"
"Nope, we can't seem to get a hold of Susan either," Elizabeth tells him.
"Hmmm, that's odd," he says walking away.
---
"Okay, we're almost there," Susan tells her, turning down a quiet Chicago road filled with tall apartment buildings, one of which is Susan's Aunt Marcie's.