christmas1

DECEMBER 23RD

�Mrs. Pulaski, good news.� Carter said, smiling at his elderly patient.

�Just tell me Dr. Carter, am I dying?� The woman said nervously.

�No, quite the opposite actually. It seems you just had a small allergic reaction to eggnog, which caused that rash. You just need to take antibiotics twice a day and it should go away.�

�Thank you Dr. Carter.� She said graciously.

�No problem. Nurse Lockhart here will give you your prescription and in the meantime I am releasing you.� John said while signing off on the chart in his hands. He handed a sheet of paper to Abby, gave one last smile at the patient, and walked out of the room. He looked at his watch and then headed into the lounge. A few minutes later the door opened and Abby walked in.

�Well that was definitely interesting. I think that woman wanted you to tell her she was dying.� Abby said, walking towards her locker with a smile.

�That�s the story of my life.� Carter said with a sigh.

�What�s the matter? You seem a little stress out.� Abby noticed.

�Family problems. My father is in town.�

�Ah. What about your mother?� Abby asked, taking her stethoscope off and setting it in her locker.

�Actually, just my dad is here. They�re getting divorced.�

�Wow. Are you off now?� Abby stopped what she was doing and looked at John.

�Yeah.�

�Wanna go to Doc�s and get some coffee or lunch or something? I�m off too and I don�t have any plans.�

�Sure, why not.� Carter shrugged and pulled his coat out of his locker. Abby did the same and the two headed out of the lounge and out of the hospital and into the restaurant across the street.

After they had been seated and had ordered coffee, John spoke.

"I just don't undestand what happened. THey've been unhappy for thirty years. I can't remember a time when they were happy. I just don't know why they chose to do this now."

"Maybe your mother just had enough." Abby suggested.

"My father is leaving her. It seems i said something to him which struck a nerve and got him thinking." John explained.

"Oh." Was all Abby could say.

"I used to wish they would just get divorced because neither of them were getting along anyways. Things went progressively downhill after Bobby died. I remember when I was about six or seven years old, Gamma was having a party and Bobby, Chase, and I sneaked to the balcony and watched everybody. I saw my parents dancing and it was the only time when they seemed peaceful and loving. Then Bobby got sick and died and the dancing stopped." There was an awkward silence after this statement and Abby was deciding whether or not to say something while John was deciding whether or not to continue. The waitress bringing them their coffees interrupted them, however.

"Are you ready to order?" She asked as she set the steaming cups in front of the couple.

"You go first, I"m still deciding." Abby said, not looking up from her menu.

"Uh, I'll have a cheeseburger and fries." Carter said, handing his menu to the waitress.

"Umm, I guess I'll just have a chicken caesar salad." Abby said and also handed the waitress her menu. After she walked away, John spoke.

"Salad, huh? Suddenly being healthy?" John teased.

"No, just planning aahead for Christmas. Tis the season to be jolly, but I don't want to gain thirty pounds."

"Sounds like a good plan." Carter said with a smile and summoned the waitress back over to their table. "I want to change my order. I'll have a chicken salad also."

After the waitress walked away, there were a few more minutes of silence while both of them contemplated talking.

"Richard called me this morning." Abby finally spoke, but looked down at the table.

"Really? Just out of the blue?" John asked curiously.

"He's getting married."

"Alexis?"

"No, some new woman. She's a teacher." They were interrupted by the waitress bringing their salads. She set down their places and walked away. Abby picked up her fork, but then put it down again and started talking.

"He's also going to be a father."

"She's pregnant too?" Carter asked incredulously.

"No, she has a six year old son from a previous marriage. Richard seemed really excited. About having a kid, I mean."

"Well a lot of people like kids."

"Yeah, but we never even talked about it."

"I'm sure you would have if it had come up." Carter said, eating his salad. Abby was so silent that after a few minutes John looked up at her.

"Something wrong with your greens?" He joked.

"Oh, uh, no. I was just thinking about something." Abby said somewhat embarrassed, and started picking at her salad.

Fifteen minutes later, John and Abby finished their meals and after much insisting, Carter paid for both of them. Carter followed Abby as they headed outside and they began to walk towards the lake.

"So what are you doing for Christmas? Any big plans?" Carter asked.

"No, I'm working Christmas night because I traded the morning shift with Conni. How bout you?"

"I'm spending the morning with my father and Gamma and then I'm taking Susan out for dinner."

At the mention of Dr. Lewis, Abby suddenly became silent. Carter could sense this and changed the subject.

"What a year huh? It's gone by too quickly."

"Yeah." Abby said quietly.

"Did you put up a tree?"

"No, I didn't feel like doing it this year. It would be just for me anyways." Abby said and sighed. "Well I have to get going. I'm gonna go home and feel sorry for myself some more." She gave a small smile and then walked away.

Carter watched her and then looked at the water. After a moment he shook his head and walked home.