Robby

July 5

Abbot

let me know when you make it out of the city okay?_{8:14 AM}

Robby

Construction slowed things but nothing bad. Good morning to you too._{9:02 AM}

Abbot

good morning_{9:04 AM}

where are you now?_{9:04 AM}

Robby

Just past Wheeling. Traffic hasn't been too bad._{9:06 AM}

Abbot

send a picture_{9:07 AM}

Robby

📷 [Photo]_{9:14 AM}

Abbot

tthat is literally a highway_{9:15 AM}

Robby

Yes._{9:16 AM}

Abbot

you couldnt have pulled over somewhere scenic? found a tree or something?_{9:16 AM}

Robby

I'll try harder next time._{9:19 AM}

📞

Robby

July 7

Abbot

check in_{6:48 PM}

Robby

Ohio._{8:31 PM}

Abbot

Ohio is a big state._{8:32 PM}

Robby

Stopped in Fremont for the night. Stopped at a couple lookouts along the way._{8:34 PM}

Abbot

you eating_{8:35 PM}

Robby

I stopped at a diner outside town. Good pie._{8:37 PM}

Abbot

what kind_{8:38 PM}

Robby

Cherry._{8:40 PM}

Abbot

classic_{8:40 PM}

Robby

Going to find a motel. Talk tomorrow._{8:43 PM}

Abbot

yeah okay_{8:44 PM}

sleep well. don't let the motel bed bugs bite_{8:44 PM}

📞

Robby

July 10

Abbot

check in. haven't heard from you in a couple days_{11:22 AM}

where are you at now?_{11:22 AM}

Robby

Sorry. Went through Indiana, then Illinois. I'm somewhere outside Chicago now._{2:07 PM}

Abbot

send a picture of something that isn't a highway_{2:09 PM}

Robby

📷 [Photo]_{2:43 PM}

Abbot

okay thats actually nice_{2:44 PM}

Robby

Lake Michigan. Stopped for a break and couldn't look away for a minute. It's beautiful. Looks like it goes on forever._{2:45 PM}

Abbot

how are you doing though_{2:46 PM}

everything going okay?_{2:46 PM}

Robby

I'm fine, Jack. It's quiet out here._{3:12 PM}

Abbot

quiet good or quiet bad_{3:14 PM}

Robby

It's just quiet._{3:29 PM}

Getting back on the road._{3:30 PM}

📞

Robby

July 14

Abbot

guessing minnesota now?_{9:03 AM}

Robby

Minnesota._{10:51 AM}

Abbot

you sleeping okay?_{10:52 AM}

Robby

Reasonably._{10:55 AM}

Abbot

whats that mean_{10:56 AM}

Robby

It means it was fine. How are things at work?_{11:08 AM}

Abbot

don't change the subject_{11:10 AM}

but everything is good. everyone is warming up to baran. she's doing a great job handling everything. i think dana might have a new favorite attending if you don't get back soon_{11:10 AM}

Robby

You're on a first name basis with Dr. Al Hashimi now?_{11:14 AM}

Abbot

she asked about you_{11:15 AM}

Robby

And what did you say?_{11:17 AM}

Abbot

whitaker asked about you too._{11:18 AM}

he's house sitting for you? any reason you didn't tell me that?_{11:18 AM}

Robby

Getting back on the road. I'll let you know where I end up._{11:20 AM}

📞

Robby

July 19

Abbot

hey_{2:14 PM}

Abbot

you still in Minnesota?_{7:46 PM}

Robby

North Dakota now. Sorry, it's been a long day of riding._{8:03 PM}

Abbot

do you have any sort of scheduled itinerary for this trip or are you just driving around until you get to alberta?_{8:05 PM}

Robby

Just driving until I see something interesting. Thinking a lot._{8:09 PM}

Abbot

you okay? lots to think about_{8:05 PM}

Robby

I'm okay. It's flat out here. You can see the weather coming from fifty miles out. There was a storm this afternoon - I watched it the whole way in before it finally hit. Rain made it nearly impossible to see the road._{8:09 PM}

Abbot

...and aren't you're supposed to pull over when theres a bad storm_{8:11 PM}

Robby

I did. Eventually._{8:13 PM}

Abbot

robby_{8:14 PM}

Robby

I'm fine. Motel in Bismarck. Dry. Getting food. Anything else you need me to do, dad?_{8:16 PM}

Abbot

shut up. make sure your shoes dry off before you put them back on tomorrow_{8:17 PM}

and call me if you want. don't have to, just. the option's there_{8:17 PM}

Robby

I know._{8:22 PM}

📞

Robby

August 1

Abbot

its been a week and a half_{10:33 AM}

where are you_{10:33 AM}

Robby

Montana. I've been camping, reception's been inconsistent._{1:14 PM}

Abbot

camping_{1:16 PM}

Robby

Is it that surprising._{1:17 PM}

Abbot

a little bit yeah. didn't realize you weren't planning on staying in motels the whole trip_{1:18 PM}

i don't think i've ever heard you mention going camping before in your life_{1:18 PM}

you're telling me we could have gone camping together this whole time?_{1:18 PM}

send a picture_{1:20 PM}

Robby

📷 [Photo]_{1:34 PM}

Abbot

okay. okay that's beautiful_{1:36 PM}

where is that_{1:36 PM}

Robby

Glacier. I took a day. Sat by the water for a few hours and didn't think about much of anything. Can't remember the last time I did that._{1:38 PM}

Abbot

good_{1:40 PM}

that's good robby_{1:40 PM}

are you sleeping?_{1:43 PM}

Robby

Some._{1:47 PM}

Abbot

some._{1:48 PM}

Robby

The nights are quiet out here. Hard to know what to do with it all._{1:51 PM}

Abbot

what does that mean_{1:53 PM}

Robby

Nothing bad. Heading back to the bike. Talk soon._{2:08 PM}

📞

Robby

August 6

Abbot

hey_{8:55 PM}

just checking in_{8:55 PM}

📞

Robby

August 7

Abbot

hey_{9:12 AM}

all good? you didn't reply_{9:12 AM}

Robby

Sorry. Yes. All good._{4:27 PM}

Abbot

you sure_{4:29 PM}

Robby

I'm sure, Jack._{4:31 PM}

Abbot

okay_{4:32 PM}

just making sure_{4:32 PM}

📞

Robby

August 12

Abbot

Montana still or you moving_{11:07 AM}

Robby

Crossed into Idaho this morning. Getting closer._{3:48 PM}

Abbot

closer to what_{3:50 PM}

Robby

The destination._{4:02 PM}

Abbot

head smashed in_{4:03 PM}

Robby

Head-Smashed-In._{4:04 PM}

Abbot

you really always wanted to go there_{4:06 PM}

Robby

I've thought about it for a long time. It's a significant place. Thousands of years of human activity. All those generations. A place of so much death that in turn allowed so much life. Something about that._{4:11 PM}

Abbot

yeah_{4:14 PM}

what's the plan for when you get there?_{4:15 PM}

Robby

I don't know yet. I'll figure it out when I'm standing there._{4:31 PM}

Abbot

okay_{4:33 PM}

okay that's fair_{4:33 PM}

just_{4:33 PM}

you call me when you get there okay? when you make it_{4:34 PM}

Robby

I will._{4:38 PM}

📞

Robby

August 17

Abbot

haven't heard from you_{7:22 PM}

Idaho still?_{7:22 PM}

📞

Robby

August 18

Abbot

hey_{9:45 AM}

checking in_{9:45 AM}

Robby

Sorry. Long days of riding. I don't even look at my phone half the time, between sleeping and being on the road. I'm in southern Alberta now. Looks like I'll be there tomorrow._{6:33 PM}

Abbot

Alberta_{6:35 PM}

you actually made it_{6:35 PM}

take a picture when you get there. i think our coworkers could use proof of life from you_{6:36 PM}

Robby

Will do._{6:37 PM}

Abbot

you should be proud of yourself_{6:38 PM}

that's a hell of a trip_{6:38 PM}

Robby

It's been something._{6:45 PM}

Abbot

you okay though? How are you doing, honestly_{6:46 PM}

Robby

I'm doing okay, Jack. I've had some time to think on the way out here. That was the point._{6:52 PM}

Abbot

and?_{6:54 PM}

Robby

I'll call you when I get there tomorrow._{7:08 PM}

Abbot

I'm going to hold you to that_{7:09 PM}

Robby

I know you will._{7:10 PM}

📞

Robby

August 19

Abbot

well?_{6:14 PM}

Abbot

you were going to call_{9:02 PM}

Robby

I know. I got there and I just stood there for a long time. I forgot to call._{9:44 PM}

Bad reception here. Don't know if a call would go through_{9:45 PM}

Abbot

it's okay_{9:46 PM}

what is it like?_{9:46 PM}

Robby

Bigger than I expected. Quieter. Not too many people visiting right now._{10:02 PM}

I'll go back tomorrow._{10:03 PM}

Abbot

sounds good_{10:05 PM}

I'm glad you made it, robby_{10:05 PM}

I mean that_{10:05 PM}

Robby

I know you do._{10:09 PM}

Get some sleep, Jack._{10:09 PM}

Abbot

you too_{10:10 PM}

talk soon_{10:10 PM}

call me when you can_{10:10 PM}

📞

Robby

August 22

Abbot

you go back to the site?_{12:34 PM}

📞

Robby

August 23

Abbot

hey_{9:17 AM}

everything good_{9:17 AM}

📞

Robby

August 24

Abbot

robby?_{2:51 PM}

Robby

Sorry. I've been at the site. They have a museum there. Spent most of the day in it._{8:12 PM}

Abbot

okay good_{8:14 PM}

you don't have to apologize for not texting you're on vacation_{8:14 PM}

had me a little worried when you went quiet but it's fine_{8:15 PM}

how much longer you staying there_{8:15 PM}

Robby

A few more days. I'm not in a rush._{8:22 PM}

Abbot

take all the time you need_{8:24 PM}

how are you doing though, like. how's your head_{8:24 PM}

Robby

My head is okay. It's been a good trip, Jack. I mean that._{8:35 PM}

Abbot

good_{8:37 PM}

that's really good to hear_{8:37 PM}

see you in a few weeks._{8:38 PM}

📞

Robby

August 27

📞 · Missed Call · 5:32 AM

Robby

Jack

I've been trying to figure out how to say this for a few days and I've decided there's no right way, so I'm just going to say it.

I want you to know what these years have meant to me. Working alongside you. I don't think I ever said it properly, and I should have. You have been the steadiest person in my life for longer than I can account for. Working with you has been the best part of my career.

You are a remarkable physician and a better man than you give yourself credit for. I have watched you walk into rooms that would have broken most people and walk back out again, and I have never once seen you leave without trying everything. You've done so much for those in need, and I know you'll do so much more in the future.

It has been an honor to work beside you. I couldn't have done any of it without you.

Take care of yourself.

I'm glad to have had the privilege of calling you a friend. You were the closest thing I've had to a brother.

R_{6:00 AM}

Abbot

Robby what is this._{6:51 AM}

Abbot

Where are you_{6:51 AM}

Abbot

Robby._{6:52 AM}

Abbot

hey_{6:54 AM}

talk to me_{6:54 AM}

Abbot

Robby_{6:56 AM}

Abbot

please respond_{6:58 AM}

Abbot

I need you to respond right now_{7:00 AM}

📞 · No Answer · 7:01 AM

Abbot

pick up_{7:02 AM}

📞 · No Answer · 7:02 AM

Abbot

don't do this_{7:04 AM}

Abbot

respond to me right fucking now_{7:05 AM}

Abbot

I swear to god don't do this robby_{7:07 AM}

📞 · No Answer · 7:08 AM

Abbot

you know that I have friends in the RCMP_{7:09 AM}

so I need you to tell me where you are. I will call the Mounties and have them at Head Smashed In in twenty minutes, so if you're there and you don't want this to turn into something big, just tell me._{7:09 AM}

Abbot

just sent me a single message_{7:10 AM}

please_{7:10 AM}

📞 · No Answer · 7:13 AM

Abbot

why didn't you call me_{7:14 AM}

Abbot

I told you to call me_{7:15 AM}

I told you if it got dark to call me_{7:15 AM}

I said that to your face, rob_{7:15 AM}

Abbot

I'm calling the site_{7:17 AM}

I'm going to call and tell them to look for you_{7:17 AM}

Abbot

I called_{7:34 AM}

they're looking_{7:34 AM}

stay where you are if you can read this_{7:35 AM}

📞 · No Answer · 7:45 AM

📞 · No Answer · 7:51 AM

📞 · No Answer · 7:58 AM

Abbot

still trying_{8:00 AM}

Abbot

come on_{8:57 PM}

Abbot

the site said they've covered the grounds_{1:12 AM}

they're calling local services_{1:12 PM}

📞 · No Answer · 1:15 PM

Abbot

where are you_{1:16 PM}

Abbot

the motel you're staying at, what's the name of it, I can't find it_{1:41 PM}

Abbot

there are four motels near the site_{1:56 PM}

I've called two of them_{1:56 PM}

I don't know what name you checked in under_{1:56 PM}

or if you're even staying at a motel at all_{1:56 PM}

Abbot

robby_{2:14 PM}

Abbot

I've called all four_{2:43 PM}

📞 · No Answer · 3:01 PM

📞 · No Answer · 3:17 PM

Abbot

the RCMP called me back_{3:22 PM}

they're at the site_{3:22 PM}

Abbot

they're still looking_{3:49 PM}

Abbot

rob if you can read any of this please just tell me you're breathing_{4:11 PM}

that's all I need_{4:11 PM}

just tell me you're breathing_{4:11 PM}

Abbot

the RCMP called again_{6:04 PM}

Abbot

they didn't find you at the site_{6:05 PM}

Abbot

I don't know if that's good or not_{6:07 PM}

Abbot

I don't know where else to call_{6:38 PM}

Abbot

I should have come with you_{7:12 PM}

I shouldn't have let you go at all_{7:12 PM}

Abbot

the RCMP said they'll keep looking_{9:17 PM}

Abbot

I'm going to keep texting you_{10:44 PM}

I just_{10:44 PM}

Abbot

keep hoping you'll say something_{10:45 PM}

Abbot

it's almost midnight_{11:29 PM}

📞 · No Answer · 11:31 PM

📞

Robby

August 28

Abbot

you're gone aren't you_{12:00 AM}