by Doc
'Hey, Dr. Legaspi. I heard you were in the building.'
Kim barely registered the voice and didn't stop to try and understand what it was saying.
Abby was surprised Kim walked passed her without even saying hello but didn't miss the tears. She watched Kim and guessed she was heading for the car park, she decided to go after her.
'Hi, Dr. Legaspi.' Abby said as she approached Kim who was leaning against her car, hands on the roof with her head lying on them. From the shuddering Abby knew Kim was crying. They hadn't been very close friends when Kim worked at County but they chatted a number of times and when Kim helped with Abby's mom they had gotten to know each other a little better.
Kim looked up. Her face streaked with running eyeliner. She tried to speak but broke down. Abby went to her wrapping her arms around the shaking woman. Kim fell into Abby's arms and cried. They both slid to the ground leaning against the car. After a while Kim stopped. Kim pulled back, her breath catching, 'Thanks.' She said sheepishly.
'It's OK.' Abby said. 'I guess things didn't go well with Weaver then?'
Kim didn't say anything but wondered how Abby knew she was in seeing Kerry.
As if reading Kim's mind Abby answered the unasked question, 'Word that you were back in the hospital and meeting with Kerry in her office got round fast. Wildfire doesn't spread that fast.' Both women laughed.
They helped each other up. 'My makeup must be a sight.' Kim said.
Abby smiled, 'I thought you would have known to wear waterproof makeup when you're going into a meeting with Dr. Weaver.' Abby meant it as a joke, she could see Kim didn't take it that way. 'I sorry Dr. Legaspi. I didn't mean anything by it.'
'I know.' Kim said while opening her car door. She pulled down the sun visor and looked in the mirror. 'My god, I'm Alice freakin Cooper.' Kim said with a laugh. Abby laughed too. Kim reached for her bag on the back seat and pulled out some wipes. 'How many times do you think that jokes been told through the years?' Kim chuckled. Abby gave a laugh and rounded the car and got in the front seat.
'Are you OK Dr. Legaspi? I know you're not but...'
'I'm fine Abby, thank you.' Kim wiped her makeup off her face. She looked down and the now black wipe. 'Abby, can I ask you something?'
'Sure.'
'Do you know Henry?' Kim didn't want to know about Kerry's new life, with her new man but something inside of her couldn't resist finding out.
'Kerry's Henry?' Abby asked innocently.
'Yes.' Kim said almost painfully.
'I know him. He's lovely. So cute. Did you see his picture in Kerry's office?'
Kim wanted to hit her forehead and say 'd'oh'. Why didn't she look at the pictures on Kerry's desk?
'No, I didn't.'
'He's such a little character, he's coming along so well. After all the unsettlement and upset he's doing really well. Kerry just adores him, well everyone does when they meet him, it's hard not too. Kerry of course loves the little guy, she fought so hard to keep him.' Abby stopped when she saw the puzzled, confused look on Kim's face. 'Is there something wrong Dr. Legaspi?'
Kim said nothing she thought about the description on Kerry's new man. Kerry was in love with him. She fought to keep him. He's coming along well? That was the sentence that confused Kim the most. 'There's nothing wrong Abby, please go on.'
'No one knew. I was assigned to the NICU and got a page to attend a birth and there was Kerry standing by Sandy's bed. I'd never seen Kerry so happy. She loved Sandy so much and when Henry came along...'
'Henry's Kerry's son?!' Kim half asked half exclaimed.
'Yes, who did you think he was?'
Kim gave herself a mental slap. 'I thought Henry was Kerry's...'
Kim didn't have to finish Abby knew what she was going to say. 'Kim, Kerry's lesbian. You of all people should know that.' Abby said with a smile.
'I...how could I get it so wrong. I suppose part of me always thought Kerry would go back to her life, the one she had before I came along and ruined it.'
'Kim, I don't think Kerry would say you ruined her life.'
'No? I'm not so sure of that.'
Abby looked at Kim who was looking down at her hands on her lap.
'I let her go without a fight. She fought to get me back and I said no. She wrote the most amazing, heartfelt letter ever and all I could say was thanks for the sentiment. How stupid am I?' Kim looked at Abby. Abby didn't know if Kim expected an answer. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.
'Is she happy Abby?'
'It took her a while to get over you and it wasn't smooth sailing with Sandy at first but things calmed down and I think they were both very happy together.' Kim picked up on the sorrow in Abby's voice.
'Why did they break up?' Kim asked just as another question came to mind, 'How did Kerry get custody of Henry? If it was Sandy who gave birth even with a custody battle Kerry wouldn't have much of a chance to get Henry. Is it because of Sandy's job but even that...' Kim stopped, Abby's eye's were down. Her face sad. 'Abby?'
'Sandy died.' Kim tried to say something but nothing seemed appropriate. 'She was on duty and was brought in.'
'To County? Was Kerry working?'
'Yes but not in the ER that day. She was called down. Sandy died in the OR. Kerry was with her. I found her in the waiting room, Kim, she was just sitting there, alone, in the dark.' Abby broke off. She didn't need to go on, Kim knew what happened next.
After a moment of silence Kim asked, 'Who did Kerry have to fight for custody?'
'Kim, I'm not comfortable with this, I think I've said too much.'
'Abby I appreciate you wanting to be loyal to Kerry but I've already messed things up with my lack of information about Kerry and her life. I don't want to do the same again.'
Abby could tell Kim was being sincere. 'Sandy's parents. They said Kerry wasn't Henry's family and that they were. Kerry came by my place that night after they refused to let her in to get Henry. It was Sandy's brother who had him that night and wouldn't let Kerry in the door. She was so worked up. I'm glad she called, I don't know what she would have done otherwise.'
'Kerry has full custody of Henry?'
Abby nodded, 'Yes. There was a hearing and the judge took her time but made the right decision. Henry lost both of his mommies in one day, at least one of them was able to bring him home...eventually. Kerry hated only getting to see her son every other weekend and having to hand him back.'
'Is she a good mother?' Abby looked at Kim, 'I know Abby, don't even bother to answer.'
'She loves him so much. He's lucky to have her in his life. He almost lost knowing that love forever. Imagine being raised by someone who loves you more than life itself even if it was only for a few months and then not having that person anymore, I think it could have ruined Henry's life. Well, maybe it wouldn't have he was so little at the time but children know their parents don't they so...Dr. Legaspi?' Abby noticed Kim wasn't listening anymore.
Kim was stuck in a loop, 'Imagine being raised by someone who loves you more than life itself even if was only for a few months and then not having that person anymore' was playing and replaying over in her head. Stevie was raised by Kerry for 4 years. Did getting taken away from Kerry have a life changing effect for the worse for Stevie?
'I'm sorry Abby I need to go back and speak to Kerry. Something you just said made me think and I'm sure it'll help me get through to Kerry.' Abby was about to speak, 'It's OK Abby, I know Kerry well enough and I won't let on that we spoke.'
Abby smiled. 'Are you going to be OK?'
'I think so. Thank you Abby.'
'You're welcome.'