Chapter 9
Mark continued to visit Susan everyday at lunch. Her memory had no sign of improvement, but he enjoyed sitting with her. He would tell her old stories of the ER. He enjoyed it. He was beginning to realize just how much history the two actually had. In fact, he was surprised to find that he had many stories to tell that occurred outside of the workplace: Dinners, conferences, parties, and even a few dates. He hoped talking about such events might spark something between the two. Every time he spoke to her, his heart ached for her just a little more. He was beginning to realize just how much he did care for her.
But after a week, Dr. Rinker, the neurologist, decided that she was well enough to go home. He thought the familiar environment of her own place would help jar her memory. Abby and Elizabeth agreed to take shifts helping her at home. She had little family in the area, but would need someone to help her out at home.
Mark was not on the schedule the day she was released from the hospital, and he volunteered to drive her home. As the two rode the elevator down, mark realized he had forgotten something in his locker. He thought visiting the ER might jar any memories for Susan, and decided to make a quick stop.
"Do you mind if we make a quick stop down at the Er? I need to get something from my locker."
"Um, sure. I don't mind."
The two exited the elevator and stepped into the busy ER. Susan looked startled and confused as she peered over the white halls of the emergency room.
"This is where we work?"
"Yep, the crazy emergency room of County General. Follow me"
The two walked down the hall toward the staff lounge. Entering the room, Mark spotted Abby and Elizabeth sitting on the old beet up couch. "Hey you two!"
"Hey Mark. Oh, hi Susan!" Elizabeth had spotted Susan standing gingerly behind Mark.
"hello," she answered back.
Leaving Susan to speak to the two women, Mark moved to his locker to retrieve what he forgotten.
"So, you must be happy to be going home." Abby put in.
"Yes, lying in a hospital bed is not exactly the most entertaining. I'm looking forward to getting out of this place."
"I'm sure your own bed sounds good right now?" Elizabeth put in.
"Well, to tell you the truth, I can barely remember my own place I don't remember my own bed."
"Oh, Honey your memory will come back soon. I know it will." Elizabeth offered encouragingly.
"Thanks, I hope so."
"Ok, ready?" mark asked, returning to Susan's side.
"Ready as I'll ever be."
"Ok, you take care of her Mark. We'll be over tonight to see if everything is going well."
"Thanks"
The two exited the lounge and made their way to the parking garage. Climbing into Mark's car, Susan had no idea where she was going.
As they drove through the crazy Chicago traffic, Susan looked cluelessly out the window. She hoped something would look familiar, but nothing did. Mark rarely drove his own car. The el was cheaper and much quicker, but he did not want to expose Susan to the crazy Chicago city jus yet. So their drive home would take longer than usual. The whole time, she peered out the window, search deep within her mind to bring back any memory possible.
After endless streets of confusion and memoryless buildings, Mark pulled into an apartment parking lot. Grabbing Susan's bag from the back, mark ran around to open her door. The two walked up two flights of stairs together. Pulling a key from her bag, Mark handed her the key. "Here's the key to your apartment."
Taking the offered key, Susan unlocked the door to the apartment that was apparently hers.
Stepping inside, she looked around. The small living room and kitchen area was small. Everything was clean and in order. Abby had come over the day before and insured that everything would be in place for her arrival.
Moving into her bedroom, Mark plopped her bag down on her bed. As she looked at the picture frames on her dresser, nothing looked right. Picking up a picture of Little Susie, she looked at mark for guidance.
"That's your niece, Susie."
"Why can't I remember?" a single tear escaped her eye. "Mark, do you mind if if I ask you to leave. I just want to be alone for awhile.'
Mark was hurt by the question. He wanted to be there for her. But even more so, he wanted greatly to help her remember. He wished there was something he could do. Respecting her wish, he moved toward the front door. "Yes, of course. I'll give you your privacy. Abby'll be over tonight to see if everything is ok. Please call me if you need anything. All of our numbers are by the phone."
"Thank you so much." Giving Mark a small hug, she moved into her bedroom and shut the door.
A/N:
I'm so, so, so sorry for the long absence. I've had a crazy school year, I've been working on a few other fics, and well, I just put this off. But I'm determined to finish it. So please, please R and R! Reviews are always greatly appreciated. I promise it won't take nearly as long to update again, and there will be more soon.