Changing Tomorrow
He had to think long and hard what he did "yesterday." She didn't pick up her home phone so she must be out. He got in his car and remembered. A white envelope with "ER Gang" written on it. It seemed important. He had to find it! But where was it? The picture was blurry. What was that thing it was laid so nicely on? He recognized it like he had been there so many times. Then it snapped. Her bed! The letter is on her bed. He raced to her apartment and opened the letter.
Dear Jake,
Susan, John, Sam, Luka, and anyone else who cares to listen,
I'm
really sorry. It became too much for me. I tried to be strong, but I
don't think I was fooling anyone. If I was, then I'm sorry that
this came as such a surprise. But I definitely wasn't fooling
myself. I have learned a lot today. I came in to work after just
finding out I was pregnant with Jake's child. No one even noticed
my existence. I was pulled into a trauma and sat in the room for 5
minutes before Susan or Carter realized I was there. Susan killed a
patient because she forgot to act in his favor. Carter, you were
right. Femoral cut-down would've worked and saved his life. I then
left for the abortion clinic and (what else would I have done there?)
had an abortion. (I'm sorry Jake, I got scared) I begged Susan not
to tell you, Jake. And I still don't know who it was that she told,
but somehow it got to you. I expected you to talk, Susan, so unless
you told Jake, I don't blame you. I got a phone call from Jake
while I was sitting in the bathroom stall of a bar. He knew. I was
distraught. I'm sorry. If you get this in time, I took 59 Lunestas
(a new sleeping pill). One for every time I wrote in my journal the
phrase "I failed…" So I'm giving you a chance to save me.
Luka, John, and Susan. You guys know how to treat this. So, I guess,
I'm putting you to the test. I took them with water, not alcohol.
Actually, Carter, I didn't have a single drink today. If you find
this in time, I'll be with you when you're reading this letter.
Thanks for trying, I trust that you did. You were all great friends
and I'm lucky to have had you. The one good thing in my life. I
love you all, no one more than another. And as a last thing to say to
you all before I go is always remember… sometimes you need to run
away, just to see who will follow.
Love,
Abby
59 Lunestas! Which bar! Ok… I'm Abby. I'm depressed. I'm sitting in the bathroom stall of a bar. Which bar would I want to die in? Aww man I have no idea! The only bar she ever went to anymore was "The Lava Lounge" ……… worth a shot!
Jake was
speeding down the road and, within 15 minutes, was inside the
hawaiian-themed bar. He bursted into the girl's bathroom and
received many strange looks. He broke open each stall door before
finding Abby passed out on the floor.
"ABBY?"
He checked
for a pulse. Nothing. Then followed a 10 minute drive to the hospital
with her head in his lap the whole time. He met Sam outside the
door.
"Susan, you might want to get over here! Quick!"
"What
is it, Sam?"
Sam ran in with an occupied gurney, Jake following
quickly behind.
"It's Abby."
"Oh my God what
happened?"
Jake answered, "I called her. I asked her if she
had an abortion. She was crying but she wasn't talking. Then she
hung up. I went to her place and found this on the bed.
He handed
Susan the opened letter.
"I read it and chose to check "The
Lava Lounge" first. She was there passed out in a bathroom stall. I
couldn't find a pulse, so I got her here as quickly as I
could!"
"Oh man… ok, Sam, I need a… uh… blood
alcohol…tox screen… EKG… and… BP"
Susan could hardly get
the words out. Somehow, this must be my fault Susan
thought. She choked on each word as she saw her best friend almost
lifeless on the table in front of her.
"Um wait, blood alcohol
and tox screen aren't necessary. She wasn't drinking and she took
59 Lunestas. Some new sleeping pill."
"How do you know that?"
Susan inquired.
"It's in the letter. 59 Lunestas with water.
No drinks all night."
"Jake, she's an alcoholic-- "
"BUT
SHE WASN'T DRINKING!"
"Ok. Sam, cancel the blood alcohol and
tox screen."
Susan leaned in to check a pulse, but couldn't
find one. Jake noticed she wasn't breathing and told Susan to tube
her. Carter passed by and noticed the commotion going on and rushed
in to help. Just as Susan started to tube, Abby began seizing. Susan
yanked the tube and laryngoscope out of Abby's mouth and tried to
hold her head steady with tears now pouring out of the blonde's
eyes. Carter ran and got 5 of haldol and without hesitation jammed
the needle into Abby's jeans. The seizure calmed down and Abby's
heart monitor was reconnected. Flatline.
"Abby wrote in the
letter that you would know how to save her. That, in a way, she
guessed she was testing you."
Susan's face showed her
thoughts.
"Ya, well, I hope I don't fail…"
