She didn't hear from him again until after the holidays. Doug called with the information that Chloe had completed a 6 month rehab stay in a court mandated lock up center and had spent another four months in a halfway house. From there she had disappeared again.
"I wish I could give you more to go on, Susan," he'd apologized.
"You've given me more than we have had in five years," she said. "Now, tell me about things in your world." Doug had laughed and Susan could almost see the twinkle in his eye as he gushed on about life with the twins and his son. Carol had chosen to stay home with them but now that Mark was in school full time she was helping out occasionally at Doug's clinic. Just hearing his voice made Susan nostalgic for those earlier days in her career at County. They'd had quite a time together. And now Mark was gone and the rest of them had scattered to far corners of the...world...in Carter's case.
"Tell me what she's like," Doug said on the phone.
"Susie?" Susan laughed. "Nothing like Chloe, that's for sure. Bright, funny, creative...and so exasperating at times. On second thought, maybe she's a lot like Chloe." Doug chuckled.
"You think it's funny?" Susan said. "Why does everyone think it's so funny? She is twelve years old and she is taking physics, government, calculus, chemistry and something called 'international studies' in school. She is making wads of cash with a tutoring business that locks up my kitchen table three nights a week and do you want to know where she is right at this moment, Doug? Play rehearsal for a community theater group. She tagged along on a friend's audition and got a part herself. " Doug's chuckle changed to an outright laugh.
"And you're having a wonderful time with her," he said. Susan smiled.
"I am," she said softly. "I really, really am."
"And Cosmo?" Doug asked.
"He follows Susie around like a little puppy and, so far, she loves it."
"Ooooo...we need to get them together with my girls," he said. "They could use a lesson in how to deal with a little brother." Susan chuckled. They were both silent.
"Do you still miss him?" Susan asked finally.
"Yeah," Doug said softly.
"Me too," Susan said. "We got a Christmas card from Elizabeth though. Ella looks just like him."
"Mark would love that," Doug sighed happily. Susan grinned and glanced at her watch.
"I need to go pick my budding thespian up at rehearsal," she said. "Let's do this again, Doug. Soon, okay?"
"I promise, Susan," he said. 'Bye." She put the phone in it's base and pulled her sweater closer. It was amazing. Mark Greene was gone and yet had made in indelible imprint on everyone that he had worked with. That was definitely the mark of a good person.