Somehow, Susan and Abby finally found the time to have lunch together. It seemed they had been planning it for weeks. Susan made sure to remind Abby, it was a “formal” luncheon. Just she and Abby, dressed-up, made-up and credit-card-carrying, for shopping afterwards.

Susan decided to wear one of her little black dresses, they had always worked for her before, and there was no reason to change anything at this point. She felt secure and confident, that she and Romano had a future together, and she was ecstatic!

She had curled her hair, and as always, her make-up was perfect. Now all she needed was her golden hoop earrings and her strappy black heels. Abby had mentioned to her that she was going to be “The Lady in Red” today, and Susan was happy that Abby was happy, it seemed she had been so unhappy for so long and that they had finally found time to have lunch together and catch up on the latest County gossip, and basically, just be girls together.

Susan had arranged to pick up Abby at her apartment at precisely noon. She took a final look in her mirror, decided everything was perfect, grabbed her purse and was out the door.

It was a beautiful Spring day, not a cloud in the sky, a nice warm temperature, and no need for any jacket of any kind. Susan slipped on her black sunglasses, put her Godsmack CD in, cranked up her stereo in the car, and was on her way to pick up Abby. “Voodoo” came on, and immediately her mind raced to Romano. As Sully began to sing: “Candles raise my desire, why I’m so far away” Susan finally knew what he meant when he sang that.

She recalled Romano lighting candles on their first night together, and they had raised her desire, tremendously, she thought. She would definitely have to “list” this CD for she and Romano’s next “session” of sex, this would definitely be their soundtrack, she thought.

She arrived at Abby’s apartment, about 15 minutes late; she had a hard time trying to find a place to park. She got out of the car and went up to Abby’s door.

“It’s about fucking time!” Abby yelled, laughing, opening the door.

“Sorry, but hey, I’m fashionably late, what can I say?” Susan laughed back.

“Wow!” Carter crept around the corner. “Is this the same Dr. Susan Lewis that I work with day in and day out? The same Susan Lewis I had such a huge crush on so long ago?” He asked jokingly.

Abby made sure to give him an elbow to the rib, on that question.

“Hey, what am I, chopped liver here?” Abby asked smiling seductively at him as she walked back to the bathroom, still getting herself ready. Carter followed her, and soon, Susan could hear them both giggling happily together, somewhere out of sight.

“Stop it, I’ve gotta go…” Susan heard Abby say, giggling.

Silence, sounds of kissing, then laughing and Abby finally emerged.

“Abby, you look amazing.” Susan said proudly. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you dressed up, have I?” Susan asked honestly.

“Scrubs Susan, remember?“ “Those ugly ass blue or green things that us pee-on nurses have to wear day in and day out?” “That’s the most I’ve ever dressed up for that place.” Abby said.

“Well, you look great, let’s go!” Susan said excitedly.

Abby gave John a quick kiss, grabbed her purse and she and Susan were out the door.

They piled into Susan’s car and Susan turned the key into the ignition.

Music blared, making Abby and Susan both jump in shock.

“I see you’re in your Godsmack mood again.” Abby stated, rolling her eyes at Susan.

“Hey, Voodoo is an awesome song, besides, it holds special meaning for me now.”

Abby laughed, “Why, did you get bitten by a snake recently?” she inquired, smiling.

Susan laughed, that was what the song was about, after all.

“No, um yes, well I got bit, but it surely wasn’t by a snake.” Susan replied happily.

“Ooooh.” Abby said, now knowing exactly what Susan meant.

“Well?” “Aren’t you just dying to know all of the “juicy” details?” “Remember, you said I “owed” you a full report, the morning I called off.” Susan reminded Abby.

Yes. Abby remembered all right. She recalled how Susan had been so excited about going out with Romano, although Abby couldn’t for the life of her understand Susan’s motives. Abby remembered giving Susan a hard time about it, asking her if she were on drugs or going crazy. She wondered why Susan had so abruptly divorced Chuck. Abby absolutely loathed Romano, not only as a co-worker but also as a person. She thought he was nothing but bad news for Susan, she was sure he would hurt her somehow, and she KNEW he had feelings for Elizabeth. It had been all through the County rumor mill: Romano had declared his love for Elizabeth while she and he were in Recovery. Surely by now Susan had heard. But as Abby looked over at Susan as they drove, Susan had looked so happy, nearly glowing from within.

“Well?!” Susan asked excitingly.

“Well?” Abby had forgotten about Susan’s wanting to give her a report of she and Romano’s date.

“Uh, yeah, I mean, yes, of course, you’ve simply GOT to tell me everything!”
Abby said, trying to sound enthusiastic for her best friend.

“Oh Abby, I can’t wait to tell you, I’m simply bursting at the seams to tell someone, especially you!” “I’m so glad we could do this together, this is gonna be a blast!” Susan exclaimed, laughing.

Abby was a little frightened; she had never seen Susan so happy before. The first thing she thought of was that Susan might have been drinking that day. She knew Susan could “Put Away” the booze; she had been to clubs with her. Susan could drink ANY man under the table. Maybe she was drinking more now, not just socially.

“Susan, if I ask you something, would you promise to not get pissed?” Abby asked apprehensible.

“I promise!” Susan shouted over the music that she had cranked up in her car. She had removed her Godsmack CD and inserted her Puddle of Mudd CD, the speakers blaring, “Control.”

“Ok!” Abby said, trying to shout over the music.

“Susan, have you been drinking today?” Abby hated to ask, but she couldn’t find any other reason for Susan acting so strangely.

“What?” “Wait, I love this part!” Susan exclaimed as Wes, the singer, belted out the words: “I love the way you look at me, I love the way you smack my ass, I love the dirty things you do, when I have control of you…” as Susan banged her head like she was in some sort of weird heavy metal video.

Abby knew what all of this meant, she wasn’t born yesterday. She reached for the eject button and turned the volume down.

“Ok Susan, you’re really creeping me out now, are you sure you haven’t been drinking today?”

“No, not yet, but bondage does sound interesting, doesn’t it?” “And no, I have NOT been drinking today, not yet anyways….” Susan said, smiling at Abby.

“Here we are!” Susan said excitingly.

She and Abby got out of the car, Susan gave the valet her keys, and she and Abby entered the restaurant.

The Matre’ D seated them, and a waiter came to their table quickly.

“Hmmm..” Susan said as she looked over the menu. “I’ll have a martini to start off with.”

The waiter looked over at Abby: “Uh, I’ll just take a Coke.”

“Certainly madams, they will be here shortly.” The waiter said nonchalantly and walked away.

“Well, here we are, finally!” Susan said.

Abby nodded, “Yep, here we are….” “How about this great weather we’ve had?“ nodding, trying desperately not to give Susan a reason to expound on she and Romano’s date together.

“Are you ready for this?” Susan asked with a grin.

Abby wasn’t ready. She didn’t want to really know what happened between Susan and Romano. But in a way, she did want to know. All she knew was that it couldn’t possibly be anything like what she and John had. Their love was so gentle, so honest, and so real. Abby felt that what Susan and Romano had was nothing but lust; at least that’s what she hoped.

“Sure Sus, I’m ready, tell away.” Abby said reluctantly.

“You sure?” Susan asked, not really seeing any interest in Abby’s inquiry.

“Sure I’m sure, I told you I wanted a full report, didn’t I?” Abby said, now smiling.

“Ok, if you’re sure.” Susan said.

Just then the waiter came with their drinks and served them. “Need any more time with the menu?” he asked, not really caring.

“Uh, I’ll have the grilled chicken Caesar Salad, Abby?”

“Same here, I’ll take that as well” Abby said.

The waiter took their orders and walked off.

“Well, “ Susan said, “It’s written all over my face, I’m sure.” “Abby, the night was wonderful with Romano and I.” “I know it sounds hard to believe, but he was a perfect gentleman.” “Really, the most perfect gentleman I’ve ever been out with.” Susan said, glowing.

“Really, the perfect gentleman?” Abby asked, not really believing Susan.

“Yep!” Susan said with a smile. “ I met him at the restaurant we decided to meet at, and there he was, sitting at a candle lit table, waiting for me…” “I swear Abby, as soon as he saw me come in, he got up and met me at the door.” “He told me I looked delicious!” Susan said, giggling.

“He told you that you looked delicious?!” Abby asked, not quite believing what she had heard.

“Yep.” “Delicious!” “And Abby, we danced together, I mean we really danced together, you know, slow danced together?” “A Frank Sinatra song came on, and he grabbed my hand and took me to the dance floor.” Susan said, looking like a child, glowing with happiness.

Abby only thought her question, she didn’t dare ask it at this point. Susan was too happy; she didn’t want to ruin that for her friend. “How in the hell can you dance with a one-armed man?” Abby asked herself in her mind.

As if Susan knew what Abby were thinking, she said, “I know what you’re thinking, how do you dance with a one-armed man?” She said grinning. “Easily, very easily and very romantically.” Susan said without a blink. “Would you believe he actually sang in my ear?” “He’s got a beautiful voice you know…” “He actually dipped me!” Susan said excitedly. “With one arm Abby, he dipped me!” “I tell you, I feel like a schoolgirl right now.”

The waiter arrived with their drinks, and Susan eagerly sipped her Martini, while Abby took a sip of her Coke.

Susan continued, “We left the restaurant after dancing together twice, decided to go to the club down the street, it was too noisy, but Robert had another idea.” Susan said matter-of-factly.

“I bet.” Abby thought to herself.

“He took me to his place.” Susan said with a smile, her cheeks getting redder and redder. “But first, I’ve got to tell you about the cab ride over!” “I don’t know how to say this, ok, I’ll just say it, we were all over each other on the way to his place!”

Abby couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but she didn’t want Susan to see the disgust that she was feeling regarding all of what Susan had told her. “My God,” she thought, “What has gotten into Susan, MY friend, good old Susan?” Abby couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t understand the attraction. Abby couldn’t find anything attractive about Romano. “There was nothing attractive about him,” she thought, “especially his fucking attitude.” “Surely Susan has seen that attitude, more than once,” Abby thought. She was sure of it. But here Susan was, talking about Romano as if he were God’s gift to women!” Abby was flabbergasted, and she had only heard the beginning…

Susan began gulping her martini, no longer taking lady-like sips as she did when she first got it. Abby still had a full glass of Coke and now Susan’s Martini was almost gone.

“Waiter!” Susan shouted, not loudly, but enough to get the waiter’s attention.

“Yes Ma’am?” The waiter asked attentively.

“I’ll take another one of these, Abby” “You need another Coke?” Susan asked attentively.

“I’m fine.” Abby stated, looking at Susan with eyes of concern.

“Ok, where was I?” Susan asked, now acting a bit giddy.

“Romano’s house..” Abby reminded her, as much as she hated to.

“Oh yeah!” “So here we are at his home, Abby, he’s got the most beautiful home I’ve ever seen, and he’s a great housekeeper!” “The house is huge, a great kitchen, great living room, great bedroom…” Susan said, now staring off into space.

“Did you say great bedroom?” Abby asked, not quite sure she had heard Susan correctly.

“Yeah, great bedroom, king-size bed, mirrored canopy, candles all over the place…” Now Susan was seemingly in a trance, ready to tell Abby everything. “Abby, he’s a great lover, can you believe it?” “The most knowing and excitingly stimulating man I’ve ever been with.” “He’s sweet, attentive, gentle, loving, caring, sexy…”

“Stop!” Abby said, almost shouting. Abby didn’t want to hear anymore, she couldn’t believe her friend was falling for this man, Susan hadn’t said it, but she could see it all over her face. “I’ve heard enough” Abby stated.

“But I’m not finished yet…” “Please Abby, I need to talk about this, you’re my best friend, I thought you wanted to know… everything.” Susan said, now looking painfully sad. Taking huge gulps of her Martini, again calling the waiter for another.

“Well, I do want to know, but you really don’t have to go into details.” “I think I get the idea.“ Abby said, not trying to sound disgusted.

“Abby, he treated me like I am the most beautiful woman in the world.” “He told me I was the most beautiful woman he’s ever known.” “We made love 3 times that night, and then one time when we woke up, and then another when we were in the shower.” “He’s a great lover Abby, he’s the best I’ve ever been with!” “And if you don’t mind me telling you this, I actually had my very first orgasm with Rocket.” Susan said, smiling.

Abby sat in silence for a long time, just trying to process and understand what Susan had told her. She still had a hard time believing and understanding why in the world Susan would have sex with Romano. “He had one arm, for Christ sake,” she thought. “Yeah, that’s really sexy…” She thought. Romano is an asshole, she was sure that Romano was using Susan, and she couldn’t stand it.

“Susan, I need to tell you something about Romano.” Abby said, trying to say anything to change Susan’s mind about this monster that Abby knew named Romano.

“Sure, you can tell me anything, Ab.” Susan said, looking at her honestly, after gulping the last drink of her third Martini.

The waiter came with their order, and Susan and Abby took their napkins and placed them on their laps. Susan ordered another Martini while the waiter was there. Susan eagerly digging into her salad..

“Sus, I’m not sure if you know this or not, I mean, you haven’t been around the hospital much lately.” Abby began.. “Do you know that Romano told Elizabeth that he loved her after his surgery?” She hated asking Susan that question, she didn’t want to hurt her, just shock her back into reality.

Susan stopped eating her salad. Took a huge sip of her Martini, put her fork down, took her napkin off of her lap and placed it on the table.

“Whew!” “I’m totally full, I couldn’t eat another bite if my life depended on it.” Susan said.

“Did you hear me, Susan?” “Romano loves Elizabeth!” Abby said loudly.

“I heard you.” “Abby, if you’re trying to hurt me, you’re doing a great job of it.” “But guess what?” “I already know that.” Susan stated flatly. Calling the waiter again for another Martini.

“Susan, you’ve had enough!” “No more, please?” “Besides, you’re driving, remember?” “And we’re going shopping, I thought.” Abby said sadly. She was truly in fear for her friend at this point. Obviously Susan had feelings for Romano, it was written all over her face, and she seemed so happy on the outside, but obviously she was hurting on the inside, why else would she need to be drinking this way, this early in the day?

“Come on, Ab, just one more, then we can go shopping, ok?” Susan asked.

“Susan, I just told you that Romano loves Elizabeth, did you hear me?” Abby asked matter-of-factly.

“OK!” Susan snapped, loud enough for all of the other customers to look in their direction. “Yes, I heard you, yes Romano loves Elizabeth, big fucking deal!” “Let me tell you this Abby, he wasn’t screaming her name that night, he was screaming MY name, not hers!” Susan said, as her eyes began to well up with tears.

Abby raced over to the empty seat beside Susan and sat down, leaning over to her friend, now crying, taking her into her arms.

“Susan, I’m so sorry to tell you that, I didn’t want to hurt you, but you’ve got to know!” “He loves her, hell, he may love you too, but all I know is that I feel he’s going to hurt you, and I couldn’t stand that.” Abby whispered to her, not trying to call attention to them.

Susan leaned her head into Abby’s shoulder, seeming crying forever. Finally looking up, her mascara smeared, he make-up smudged. “Abby, I want to go home, can you please just take me home now?”

“Sure sweetie, give me the keys, let’s go.” Abby called the waiter for the check, payed it with her Mastercard and she and Susan left the restaurant.

Abby told the valet which car to get, she opened the passenger door for Susan, then climed into the drivers seat.

They drove to Abby’s apartment in silence. Susan sobbing in her seat, not even looking at Abby, not even knowing that she wasn’t going to be spending the night at her own apartment. She just let Abby drive.

Abby reached her apartment and parked.

“Come on Susan, we’re here now.” Abby said sympathetically.

“Wait, this isn’t my place.” Susan stated.

“I know, just come up, I’ll make some coffee and then you can go home, when I know you’re not drunk anymore, ok?” Abby asked, almost begging.

“Well, ok, but just for a little while, I just want to go home and go to bed.” Susan sighed.

They went upstairs, Abby opened the door and John was sitting there watching television.

“Hey!” John said, excitingly.

Abby had Susan around the shoulders, bringing her into the apartment, as Susan continued crying.

“Don’t ask John, ok?” Abby begged, as she sat Susan down on the couch. John just looked at her, knowingly, as she went to the kitchen to make coffee.

Susan sat there, still sobbing quietly. She knew where she was, she wasn’t that drunk, she knew she was in Abby and John’s apartment, she knew she was sitting next to John on the couch, and she was hoping John wouldn’t ask her any questions.

“Hey, you ok?” John asked sincerely.

Susan looked over at John sadly, “Yeah John, I’m just great. What do you think?”

He didn’t answer, but told her he’d be right back as he walked to the kitchen to see Abby.

“What’s going on with Susan?” “I thought you two were going to have lunch, go shopping, have fun that girls have…” He said.

Abby looked at John, “She’s in love with Romano.” she stated, looking down, now almost crying herself.

John took her into his arms, “Oh God.” was all he said.