Ch 20
Susan slipped into the lounge with a sigh of relief. It was finally quiet. Right after John left there had been an influx of patients from a traffic accident. Kerry had bitched when Susan told her John had just taken time off, effective immediately.
She shook her head and looked at her watch. Three-thirty a.m. She wondered how mad Al would be if she called her now.
Deciding it was worth it, she picked up the phone and dialed.
Abby heard the phone, checked the time, cursed, and went about ignoring the incessant ringing. She wasn't interested in what the person on the other end was calling to tell her. She rolled onto her side with her back to the phone on her nightstand.
On the third ring the machine picked up.
Hey we're not home, leave a message.
"Al? It's me. Pick up." Pause. "Abby, pick up the phone. I know you're there. You're probably lying there with your back to the phone, pretending not to hear it so you don't feel guilty about not picking it up." Pause. "Okay you've reduced me to this. ABIGAIL MARIE WYCZENSKI LOCKHART, PICK UP THE DAMN PHONE!!!"
Abby rolled over and picked up the phone. "Fine, I'm here. What?"
"I wouldn't have called so late if it weren't important.
"I know. So?"
Susan paused, unsure of how to phrase the news. "It's about Carter."
"John? What about him?" Abby suddenly sat up. "Is he hurt?"
"No, no. He's fine. Al, Ava's baby isn't his."
"What?"
"It's Michael's."
"Michael Romano? That Michael?"
"Yeah."
"Oh God. Where is he?"
"He took off. He said to tell you he'd be back."
"When?"
"I don't know."
"Susan, how was he?"
"Upset. Really upset. Look I just wanted to tell you before you came in and found out from someone else that he decked Romano."
"He punched Michael?"
"Oh yeah. Then he told him that he could have Ava."
"Wow."
"Go back to sleep. I'll see you later."
"Okay. Susan?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"Sure."
Abby hung up. She debated for a moment. Would he want to talk to her? Would he want to talk to anyone? Then she picked up the phone again. "C'mon, answer." She whispered to herself.
You have reached the personal voice mail of John Carter. Press two to leave a message or one to retrieve.
Abby pressed two. "Hey John, it's me. Look Susan told me what happened. Call me okay? I'm worried about you."
Abby sat out in the bay watching the sky darken. Three days. It had been three days and no one had heard from John.
She wasn't worried. She wasn't. John was a big boy; he could take care of himself. Worrying about him was useless. It wouldn't do any good to anyone. Especially her.
Abby rolled her eyes. Lying to herself was a lot easier when she was drunk. The alcohol had always basically smothered that little voice inside her head that insisted on being honest.
She furrowed her brow. She'd never noticed it before but that voice sounded a lot like her mother. Well, her mother when she was lucid.
"Al?"
"Hey Susan." She looked to where her friend was standing. "Something coming in?"
"No. I was just wondering what you were doing out here."
"Contemplating the complexities of loving someone."
"Sounds like fun."
"It's a blast."
Susan sat down. "You okay? You have been very quiet lately."
"Just been thinking about some things?"
"Wanna share?"
"I told you about that letter I wrote to John after the girls were born, right?"
"Sure. You told me you never sent it."
"I didn't. But I've been thinking about what would have happened if I had sent it."
"You want an opinion?"
"Sure."
"I think he would've been on the first plane."
Abby nodded. "Yeah."
"He'll be back Al."
"I know. I do. I'm just feeling sorry for myself for no good reason."
"Being without the one you love is always a good reason for a pity party."
"Self-pity party." Abby corrected.
"Right."
"Okay, I just need you to give me the where and when you'll be dropping the car off at and then we're done." The rental agent said.
"Chicago. It should take about three days."
"Great." The balding man typed something in. "Awful long drive. Wouldn't you be better off taking a plane?"
"No. I've done this before." John smiled. "A long time ago."
The rental agent nodded. "Well, enjoy the ride." He handed the keys over and smiled. "Bye."
"Bye." John headed out of the office and into the lot. He smiled when he saw the black convertible. It looked exactly the same. He stowed his luggage in the trunk and shut it. Then he got in the car and headed home.