Chapter 7 – One Thing After Another
Abby extended her arm and puts her hand under the shower to check the temperature. She shed the bathrobe, stepped in and stood under the showerhead wetting her hair and sighed with relief, running both hands through her silky brunette mane. She reached for the soap and lathered herself with it, rubbing it all over her body, along her arms. Abby winced when her hand ran over her wrists - sore and bruised. She yawned, hardly slept all night from being wound up - the run in with Eddie and trying to work out how to deal with Jake…
Abby stood in front of the bathroom sink wrapping her wet hair in a towel. She turned on the cold tap, reaches for the toothbrush and squeezed toothpaste on it.
"Oh!" She moaned and her face winced, the toothbrush had caught the cut on her lip.
"Bastard" she muttered.
She grabbed the towel and gently patted her mouth with it. She heard her phone ringing from the lounge. She dashed to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Abby? It's your mother."
"Oh… hi" She rolled her eyes in surprise.
"How are you?"
"Um… I'm ok."
"How's the weather over there?" Maggie asked.
"It's erm..." Abby turned to look out of the window and raised her brows, surprised "Snowing!"
"The reason I'm phoning you is to check if you were still living there."
"I'm still here…" Wrapping her finger round the telephone cord. "You think I'd up and leave without telling?"
"Yes Abby, maybe want to get away from your dysfunctional family." Maggie chuckled
"I do care about you and Eric, it just…" Abby shrugged her shoulders trying to think of something without offending. "You both can be hard work at times… anyway how is he?"
"Ok." Maggie replied "Anyway I'm calling to say your cousin Rachel getting married"
"Oh great! I'm pleased for her… marrying Tom right?"
"Yes and she wanted to send you an invitation"
"Yes she can send it here"
"Isn't it time you got settled down dear? You are in your mid-thirties, time is running out"
"Mom!" Abby pulled a face in disbelief
"When am I going to be a grandmother? Well I nearly was if you hadn't got rid of Richard's baby"
"I've gotta go…" Abby snapped, she can still hear Maggie babbling on when she puts the phone down on the receiver, her mother's last words were…
"I'll see you at the wedding!"
Abby stared at the pictures of her family; she puts both her hands on her head and sighed. Her thoughts running through her head when she headed to the bedroom to get dressed. She opened the chest drawers and looked up at the mirror. She had to look at herself – to see if her cut on her lip was still prominent. She placed her hand in the knickers drawer and froze in shock.
"Oh shit!" She said, placing her hand over her mouth "I forgot to take the pill!"
----
Abby tapped away on the PC at the admit desk and noticed Wendall, who was stood in front of her putting her files down on the counter.
"Morning Dr Lockhart."
"Morning Wendall." Abby replied
"Hey Jerry can you page Dr Carter for me?" Wendall asked
"I'm sorry he's not here, he flew out to Africa last night."
"Oh? What about Dr Kovac then? I need an attending."
"He's gone with Carter to help him out."
"What?" Abby said, turning to the burly admit clerk.
"He said he'd go with Carter and help with some sort of emergency."
"Is it something to do with Kem?" Wendall asked out of curiosity
Jerry shrugged his shoulders. Abby shook their head in disbelief. She thought to herself Is Luka running away from his problems by getting away, leaving with Carter? Jeez thanks for letting me know Luka…
"Dr Kovac isn't staying as long as Dr Carter, I think he's back next week…"
"I guess you have to see Dr Lewis, Wendall." Abby smiled and turned back to the PC and spotted Jake entering the elevator. Abby leapt up from the chair and ran to catch up before the door closes. She slammed her hand on the 'Stop' button and glared at him. Jake stepped back in surprise at her quick entrance.
"What the hell are you playing at?" Abby hissed through her teeth. "Your brother attacked me last night thanks to you!"
Jake shrugged his shoulders trying to give her the innocent look and he then focused on the cut on her lip. "He did that?"
"Yes! He kicked my ass for the thank you kiss I gave Luka!"
Abby stepped back from Jake to the other end of the elevator, She ran her fingers through her hair and turned to him again. She scoffed at him and shook her head. "I can't accept your conspiratorial behaviour, Jake" Abby said with the tip of her tongue was touching the cut on the side of her lip and sighed, "One more harassment from you, I will take this to the board, do you find myself clear? You and I are history. I repeat HISTORY!"
"Oh?" Jake responded in a soft tone looking disappointed. "I guess I'll take that position in San Francisco then."
Abby paused to think about what Jake said. "Were you considering staying here at County because of me?" She narrowed her eyes.
Jake nodded "Or I was going to ask you if you would like to give us another try and move to 'Cisco with me?"
Abby had to laugh out loud "You got to be kidding me? Are you crazy? We've only been seeing each other only a month!"
"I love you, I'm in love with you"
"No no. NO!" Abby shook her head with her hand raised. She stepped back to the control panel and pressed the stop button to deactivate it.
"It's ok Abby, I wont bother you again, and I'm leaving for San Francisco this weekend"
The door opens. Abby collided into the crowd. She felt frustrated as they were blocking her pathway. "MOVE!" The angry brunette shouted.
----
"Has anyone seen Neela this morning?" Susan asked rounding up the interns for a quick meeting.
"No" Abby shook her head and looked around at the others.
"Ray?"
"Search me Dr Lewis, I didn't see her at home this morning."
"I guess we'll have to start without her!" Abby snapped, in an abrupt tone. She stepped back when she realised everyone turned to look at her, saw Ray mouthed at her 'what's your problem? Abby folded her arms and looked down at her shoes, pursing her lips, avoiding eye contact with them.
"Thank you Abby!" Susan said, frowning at her. "Right, remember eye contact with patients at all times when you introduce yourself, when you explain the diagnosis to them, ok? You can all go now"
The group dissembled and Susan stepped forward, shook her head at Abby.
"Abby I think we need that talk now" said Susan, screwing up her nose. "We didn't get the chance last night, shall we go in the office?"
They entered the office; it was dark and unused, Susan reached for the switch to turn on the lights. The flickering of the fluorescent lighting made Abby winced as it aggravated the sensitivity of her tension headache.
"I'm sorry Susan…" Abby apologised, rubbing her temples.
"Look Abby don't jump down my throat, I have notice the bruising on your lips and jaw line," Susan sat down and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Did Jake hit you?"
"No."
"Well who did it then?"
"It was Jake's brother" She shamefully looked away.
"His brother! Why his brother?"
"Well obviously Jake was upset about seeing me giving Luka a kiss yesterday"
Susan gasped, trying not to smile. "You and Luka kissed again?"
"Anyway Eddie attacked me on my way to the ladies room"
"Jeez… I thought you were a bit quiet when you came back, why didn't you say something?"
"What is there to say? I thought I'd deal with this myself"
"I'm surprised you haven't gone to the cops…?"
"So I erm… I warned Jake this morning that if he stepped out of line again, I'm going straight to the board but he told me that he's going to San Francisco."
"So I guess that's it then? No more problems…"
"Erm... Nope erm. Yes there is a problem…" Abby replied leaning against the sideboard and looking up at the ceiling "Jeez Luka's really gonna thank me now!"
Susan arched her brow looking intrigued. "Why?"
"Luka came to me yesterday to say that the… the…" Abby took a hard swallow trying to bring herself to say it "the contraception had failed, so I kissed him thank you and said I would go do something about it"
Abby took in a deep breath and Susan opened her mouth in surprise.
"And this morning I realised I had forgot to take the emergency pill…" She wiped under her eye, trying not to break down and cry. "It's too late Susan… It was 3 days ago… since we did it"
"Oh I'm sorry" Susan rose up from the chair and gave Abby a hug.
"I guess I'll just have to wait…" Abby sniffed "for my next period…"
"If it comes to the worst, I know Luka would be thrilled." She said, rubbing her arm with reassurance
"Huh! You don't know how I'm feeling…" Abby snapped, she sighed and apologises "I'm sorry, I've had so much happening this week"
"It's understandable." Susan nodded.
"I guess I'd better get back to work, I have a patient waiting for results" Abby broke away from their hug and opened the door to leave the room. "Thanks Susan… for listening" She smiled sadly.
"Don't mention it, what are friends for...? I think you'd be a great mom!" Susan grinned.
----
"Take these 4 times daily with food and see your doctor in a weeks time" Abby said, advising her elderly patient "And here's your discharge letter."
"Thank you"
"Take care of yourself, bye." Abby grinned
She walked to the admit desk to put a file in the out tray and picked up a form. She placed a pen in her mouth and watched Susan pacing up and down the ER. 'Mmm bet she wished never taken the Chief position… oh yes I might that cigarette now it's quiet…" She then saw Jake walking towards her... oh god!
"Can you sign here for me?" Jake asked shoving the chart underneath Abby's nose.
"Please? Lets have some manners here young man" She looked at him in disgust. She squiggled her signature, whipped the form up and gave it to him.
"I hope you get what want," Jake whispered to Abby, nudging her arm firmly.
Susan stood behind them "Abby, if you're not busy, can you go and find Neela?" She asked worriedly
"Hasn't she come in yet?" Abby frowned with puzzlement knowing this was not like Neela to come in late.
"I've tried her phone, pager, you name it!" Susan ranted on.
"Ok calm down Susan! I think I know where she might be…" Abby said, rushing off to the lounge to get her coat and left the hospital…