I just reread that first chapter and realized that it's highly improbable. Oh well, I guess that's what makes it fun! Also, in this story, just a reminder- Carter went to Africa, sent the letter, but came back right after he sent it. And Doc Magoo's never burned down, and Abby still went back to med school.
Congrats to trakrunr83, who correctly guessed the title- it's from a painting by Salvador Dali.
The Persistence of Memory - Chapter 2
It had been almost two weeks since the whole finger-chopping incident. I was glad to be able to work again after a few days, and everything seemed like normal. I was also seeing Carter every day. Seeing, if you know what I mean.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?" he asked, joining me in the kitchen and snaking his arms around my waist.
"It's stupid," I mumbled.
"Come on, tell me," Carter pleaded.
"Work?" he asked. I shook my head no.
"Your family?"
"Nope."
He looked at me expectantly. "Hey," I said, realizing something all of a sudden. "I think we've had this conversation before."
"What? What are you talking about?" Carter looked at me like I was crazy.
"That one day… before you went to Belize…" I trailed off, and a look of peaceful happiness appeared on his face.
"Yeah, and do you remember what exactly we were doing that day?" he asked, a naughty look in his eyes.
"I think I remember doing it many times," I said, closing the gap between us and capturing his lips for a short but sweet kiss.
"We… should… mmm," Carter tried to talk in between kisses. "Let's… maybe… reenact," he said, and I let out a small laugh.
"Oh, I think I can do even better than last time," I told him as we made our way to my bedroom. "Now there's no time limit."
Somehow, no one at work had figured out that Carter and I were back together. We didn't feel that it was necessary, so we just decided to wait until someone put two and two together.
"So Carter," Susan had said as the three of us sat drinking coffee at Doc's. "I've got this friend."
"That's great," Carter said sarcastically. "I'm so proud of you."
"No, that's not what he meant," Susan said, making a face at him. "I've got a friend that I met in yoga class who'd be perfect for you."
I looked up from my coffee so fast that I almost got whiplash, as Carter choked into his drink.
"Like a date?" he asked, trying to regain his composure.
"Yeah, that's what I was suggesting. Don't get too excited, I just thought you could use some action," Susan said.
Carter turned bright red and avoided eye contact with me. "Um, actually… I'm already seeing someone," he told her.
"Really? Oh my god, Carter, who is it?"
"Someone," he said with a knowing smile. Just then his beeper went off and I breathed a sigh of relief. Excusing himself, Carter got up and went across the street back to County.
"So who do you think it is?" Susan asked me as we watched his retreating form out the window.
"I don't know," I said, trying to sound convincing. "Probably some sleazy blonde that he picked up in a bar."
Susan laughed at my idea. "Or maybe some high-society ditz with no brains and fake boobs," she said. This time I started to giggle.
We spent the next ten minutes before our breaks were over trying to 'guess' who Carter's new love interest was, though it was kind of hard for me to imagine him with all the people Susan mentioned.
Susan spent the next week spying on Carter, trying to find out who his new girlfriend was. She kept popping up on him unexpected and trying to catch him by surprise. Finally, he had had enough.
"Abby, I think we should tell Susan. Or anyone, really. The news will spread fast," Carter said to me as we sat in the lounge one day before a shift.
"Why, is her constant nagging getting on your nerves?" I asked acting mock surprised.
"Oh, you're funny," Carter said. "How about we tell them that you have a new boyfriend, and then all the nurses will have something new to gossip about."
"Don't you think we would get in trouble- you know, a med student dating her attending?"
He gave me a look.
"Okay, okay, we can tell," I caved. "How?"
"I think I've got a great idea," Carter said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
I decided to make this story into a reader's choice. How do you guys want Carter and Abby's relationship to be exposed? Should they get caught on a gurney in an exam room, or should they share a short kiss at the admit desk. Or maybe you all would prefer if they just told someone. Either way, please review and tell me what you think. Thanks so much for reading!
