Chapter 8
“Governor, what an honor that you would take time out of your crazy schedule to be here.”
“Josh is like family to us, Mrs. Lyman, and family belongs together at times like these.” I reply.
“Indeed they do. But I still appreciate the effort I’m sure it took for you and your team to come tonight
on such short notice.”
“It’s nothing. If there’s anything any of us can do for your family, you’ve only to tell me.”
“Thank you, Governor.”
Toby explained to me that Jewish funerals were to take place as soon as possible after death, so Noah
Lyman’s service was just slightly more than 24 hours after he died. It is expected that a son say the
Kadish at the service, and Josh performed his duty very well; delivering the prayer in a strong, clear
voice despite the tears evident in his eyes. The service was graveside and relatively short, but filled
with emotion and meaning.
After my conversation with Mrs. Lyman I wander a bit from the crowd looking at the stones and reading
about the people they honor. I’m stunned when I read the name Joanie Lyman and see that the dates
indicate she was only 13 when she died. It must be a more distant relative to Josh; a cousin perhaps?
No, the words ‘beloved daughter of Noah and Sarah, adored sister of Josh’ are carved below. I waste
no time making a bee-line to Leo.
“Josh had a sister who died?” I ask immediately and Leo’s face becomes even grimmer than it was
already. I forget sometimes that Leo has known this family for decades. Even now, his daughter
Mallory is enveloping Josh in a hug and shedding tears of grief herself. Leo has lost a good friend.
“Joanie.” Leo answers simply. “She and Josh were home alone one night. She was making popcorn for
them and something happened with the popcorn maker. A fire started. Josh ran out, but Joanie stayed
behind to try to put it out. The firefighters got her out later, but she died from smoke inhalation before
morning.”
“My God.” I inhale sharply and glance over at Josh again. I had no idea what he’d been through. I
wonder how he’s holding it all together right now, but then I notice Donna whispering something in his
ear. He nods at whatever she’s telling him and they share a brief smile. I think maybe Donna might
have something to do with his ability to get through this. I have noticed that they’ve been inseparable
since we arrived.
And Sarah Lyman; to live through the loss of her young daughter and now her husband… What kind
of strength and faith she must possess. I thank God I’ve never had to experience either. Then a more
selfish thought occurs to me.
“Leo? Are we going to lose our Political Strategy Director?”
He compresses his lips and takes a deep breath. “I honestly don’t know.” He shakes his head sadly.
“Make sure he understands he’s to take as much time as he needs.” I insist.
“I’ve already told him.” Leo tells me. I nod in acknowledgment. “They’re going back to the house now
for the meal of condolence. I think your presence, and the presence of your detail would be more
distracting than comforting.”
“Yeah… I think you’re right.” I nod again. “I’ll just say my goodbyes and we can take our leave. You’re
staying for the meal though, right?”
“Mallory and I are staying until tomorrow morning.” He reminds me. “Toby will staff you until I get back.”
“I’m sorry for your loss too, Leo. Noah Lyman sounds like an incredible man and a good friend. I wish I
could have met him.”
“He was both those things,” Leo agrees. “But if you want to know what Noah was like, look at his son.
Josh is the spitting image of his father in every way.”
With that piece of insight I head over to where Josh is still wading through the line of people waiting to
speak to him. I apologetically jump into the line so I can say goodbye before my entourage leaves.
Luckily, it’s CJ’s turn next and if she has a problem with my budging ahead of her she doesn’t say so.
Not a lot of people complain about anything I do now that I have this Secret Service detail.
“Josh, I need to go, but I wanted to say goodbye and tell you once again how sorry I am about your
father.”
“Thank you Governor. I appreciate you taking the time to come tonight. It meant a lot to my family.”
There it is. He’s already become the family spokesperson. “Take care, Joshua. It’s good to see you
again, Donna.” I shake his hand and give Donna’s a quick squeeze before I’m escorted to my limo: CJ,
Toby and Sam join me after they say their goodbyes.
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I’m seeing another side to Josh that in all the years I’ve known him I’ve never seen. Josh is in love. It
would be extremely amusing to me if it weren’t for the circumstances that brought me here in the first
place. I can’t believe Noah is gone. I knew with the cancer there was a chance we’d lose him, but all the
news had been so positive of late that I’d begun to believe he would defeat it. Then came the soul-
shattering news that he’d been lost instantly to some fluke embolism.
My attention returns to Sarah, who’s been like a second mother to me for most of my life. My heart
breaks for her and the losses she’s suffered. The dinner is long over and we’re doing some cleaning
up in the kitchen. Sarah has always maintained that busy work keeps your mind occupied enough that
it can’t dwell on unpleasant things. I hope it’s helping now.
Josh and Donna drop more dishes on the counter for the washing/drying team of Sarah and Mallory. I
think it’s time to try to distract Sarah with some more pleasant thoughts.
“So…. Donna… Do we like her?” I ask teasingly.
“Very much.” Sarah smiles.
“Dad was sure impressed with her on the campaign, so I know her mind has to be pretty sharp. She
worked with Josh so she must be patient and able to work at a very fast clip.” I muse.
“Which is all well and good if she’s interviewing for a professional position but this is personal.” Sarah
points out.
“Yeah… about that; she isn’t his usual type… thank God.” I smirk and Sarah chuckles.
“You should have seen them last night. He let himself be vulnerable in front of her and she clearly
would do anything to protect him and take care of him.” She shares.
We’re interrupted by himself. “Looks like you’re falling behind on the drying duties, Mal. Need a little
help?” He teases.
“Why? Are you volunteering Donna for the assignment? Surely you’re not suggesting you do it. You’re
incompetence in drying and gift for breaking dishes is why I’m here to begin with.” I shoot back and
Sarah smiles at the sibling rivalry thing Josh and I do so well.
“Ha. Ha.” He responds and I think to myself that he must be exhausted if that’s all he can come back
with. Then Donna comes through the door with the last of the dishes.
“This is all that’s left.” She declares. “Sarah, why don’t you and Josh head to bed? Mallory and I can
finish up here, right Mallory?” She sends a cautious look at me.
“Of course.” I agree immediately. “It will give me the time and opportunity I need to share all the
embarrassing Josh stories I’ve collected over the years.”
Josh growls at me and I just smile sweetly back at him.
“That sounds promising.” Donna wiggles her eyebrows at Josh who rolls his eyes in response.
“You can’t believe a word that comes out of this one’s mouth.” He jerks his thumb at me.
“That’s okay. I can enjoy fiction as well as fact.” Donna replies. “And since I won’t know which is which, I
can tease you about all of it.”
I like this woman. “After we’re done with the dishes, I can pull out the photographic evidence for you.” I
volunteer.
“Mom!” Josh whines to his mother. “Mallory is being mean to me.”
“I’m sure Mallory wouldn’t do or say anything to embarrass you.” Sarah says in a placating voice.
“Excuse me? This is Mallory we’re talking about. Have you met?” Josh objects.
“Settle down.” Sarah replies chuckling. “After all this time working side by side with you, I can’t imagine
Mallory has any information that will surprise Donna.”
I grin like a Cheshire cat.
“The tables and chairs are all stacked in the garage.” Dad says as he joins the fray. “Are we about
finished in here?”
“Yes, Dad, you have managed to successfully avoid dishes yet again.” I tease and kiss his cheek. If
there’s one thing that I’ve learned from the last 24 hours is that you shouldn’t take any moment with
your family for granted; I’m sad that mom couldn’t make it… or wouldn’t make it. It seems like she and
Dad have been at odds since the campaign started. Or at least since the campaign got serious. I think
Mom believed the Governor wouldn’t make it past Super Tuesday or she would never have agreed to
Dad running the campaign.
In any case, neither Josh nor Sarah has commented on my mother’s rather conspicuous absence
except that Sarah mentioned Mom had called her.
“Dishes aren’t my strong suit, Mal. I’m helpful in other ways.” Dad grins.
“I guess you are.” I allow and kiss him again before swatting him with the drying towel.
“Let’s go out on the porch, just us men.” Dad suggests to Josh.
“I can’t leave Mal at the moment. She’s threatening to tell Donna embarrassing stories from my
childhood.” Josh replies.
“Mallory, I’m surprised at you.” Leo admonishes me. “You don’t have to go all the way back to the man’
s childhood to find embarrassing stories. Why just a couple weeks ago...”
“Hey!” Josh turns on Leo in mock horror. “Can we be men here?”
“You’re the only one acting like a child. Come out on the porch with me. We can share the cigars Toby
gave me.” Dad tugs on Josh’s arm and he reluctantly follows but turns one last death glare on me
before he goes. He should know that has no effect on me.
Sarah bids us both goodnight and retreats to her room. She must be exhausted. Donna and I finish the
dishes in relative silence. Then I invite her to share a glass of wine with me in the other room.
“Sarah mentioned how glad she is that you came with Josh.” I tell her casually.
“I’m just glad she doesn’t think I’m intruding.” Donna smiles. “I couldn’t bear to send Josh alone when
he was hurting so much, but I admit I didn’t give much thought to what I would do once I got here. Then
I saw this place. I had no idea Josh grew up like…this.”
“Does it bother you?” I ask surprised at her tone.
“Josh is still Josh, I just didn’t realize his family was so… well off. I guess I should have suspected with
Harvard and Yale but Josh doesn’t act like he’s…”
“Incredibly rich?” I fill in for her.
“Yeah.” She shrugs self-consciously. “It’s just one more chasm between us.”
“I’m not sure I know what that means.”
“Nothing.” She shakes her head. “Just ignore me.” Donna has closed the subject and we don’t know
each other well enough for me to push, but I file it away for later.
“Hmmmm… okay. How would you like to see some embarrassing pictures of Josh from his childhood?”
“Love to.” Her lightning fast grin is back and I see again what Josh sees in her.
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I’m getting a pretty decent crash course in Judaism. Sarah and Josh have been so patient explaining
the traditions and customs to me and they’ve both taken such pains to include me in as much as they
could. I’ve heard days worth of stories about Noah Lyman and it makes me regret never having met
him in person even more. Mallory and Leo left the morning after the funeral and I have to say I miss
Mallory. It was nice having her here and I got to see Josh in brother-mode… which was pretty
entertaining.
Josh hasn’t shaved and the unkempt look isn’t my favorite, but it underscores his devotion to his family
and that is amazingly attractive. I know what you’re thinking. I’ve completely gone over the edge for
Josh Lyman. You’re right, I have - I only thought I was in love with him in South Carolina. Now I’ve seen
him at his lowest points as well as his highest points and although there is no disputing the fact he can
be an irritating, arrogant son of a bitch, I’ve never known another man who has his intelligence, wit,
and yes, even charm when he bothers to turn it on.
He has remained steadfastly by his mother’s side through everything and I can tell what a comfort that
has been for Sarah. I can’t imagine what she’s going through. First she loses her only daughter and
then her beloved husband. She’s practically clinging to Josh. I don’t blame her in the least. So I’m
surprised when I come upon them arguing, and it seems to be getting heated too.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m staying here.” Josh is nearly shouting. “Will you please drop it?”
“Your place is with the Governor now.” Sarah tells him. “It’s been a rough few days, but we’re through
the worst of it now. I’ll be fine.”
“That isn’t the point.”
“Then tell me what is Joshua.” Sarah states. Her demeanor seems to get calmer as Josh’s escalates.
“The point it that this is day three not day seven!” He whirls away from her and spots me in the
doorway. He takes a deep breath and his whole body relaxes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.” I apologize.
“Nonsense.” Sarah walks over and takes my hand in hers. “Joshua was just about to open his big
mouth and use some of his fancy lawyer words to convince me he needs to stay here.”
I look over at Josh who blows out a puffy breath of exasperation.
“It’s all bullshit, of course, but he seems to think it’s what he’s supposed to do.” She continues and I’m
a little surprised to hear her swear. From Josh’s expression, I’d guess he’s surprised too.
“It’s not bullshit.” He counters. “It’s day three not seven.” He repeats.
“See Donna? He’s very good at math even though he only ever brags about his verbal skills.”
“Mom, will you please leave Donna out of it?”
“I think she’s very much in it, darling, one way or another.” Sarah replies. “He was just saying it was
time for you to return to the campaign.” She tells me.
I send a shocked look of my own at Josh. I’ve offered to leave at several points since we first arrived
and Josh would have none of it. Now he’s just going to send me packing? God, is it possible he’s
figured out how I… how much I care about him and that’s why…? Mandy was right. The moment he
realized how deep I was, he couldn’t wait to get rid of me. I drop Sarah’s hand and hastily retreat to my
room… I mean the guest room upstairs. I’m busily packing my few things when there’s a knock on the
closed door. I ignore it, but I’m not surprised when it opens and I sense Josh has walked in. If I weren’t
crying I’d turn to face him, but instead I continue to ruthlessly fold and re-fold my clothing.
“Donna…”
“I’ll be ready to go in just a few minutes. Will you call me a cab? Cabs do come out here right? Or do
the servants do all the ferrying around?”
“Of course cabs come out here, but… Donna will you please look at me?” He insists.
“I’m busy packing.” I refuse.
That apparently snaps what little is left of his patience and he takes me by the shoulders and turns me
around. He seems to startle when he sees my tears, but I quickly look down at the carpet.
“Donna?”
“You could have told me yourself you wanted me to go. You didn’t have to bring your mother into it. In
fact, you didn’t have to bring it up to me at all. You could have simply accepted one of the half dozen
offers I made to leave since we got here!” I shout savagely. To be let into his life so intimately and feel
so connected to him only to be cast away like a misbehaving pet because he’s uncomfortable with my
feelings is just…cruel.
“I don’t want you to go.” He tells me quietly, but it must not register because I continue my rant.
“I only ever meant to keep you company on the flight and make sure you got to your mother okay. I
would have left right then!”
“Donna, I don’t want you to…”
“Then before the funeral I offered again.” I remind him.
“I’d have never made it through the funeral without you.” He admits.
“Then, God, I don’t remember every single time I offered, but there were a lot of offers, Joshua!”
“I know.” He wipes the tears away from my face and sits me on the bed so we’re still facing each other.
“I know because every time you offered I knew I should let you get back to your life, your job, your
classes, but I was too selfish to send you on your way. I needed you here so I kept you here.”
“Then why are you sending me away now?”
“I know you love my mother, but maybe not so much with the believing every word she says, huh?” He
suggests with his eyebrows quirked.
“She would never lie to me.” I say with certainty.
“No but she would play both of us to make her point.” He says enigmatically. “She thinks I should return
to the campaign; that we both should.”
“But I thought Shiva was seven days… Is that what all the three days/seven days shouting was about?”
“Yeah.” He nods. “Shiva is traditionally seven days, but exceptions can be made. If a ‘mourner ‘s
livelihood is at risk’, and I’m quoting here, Shiva can be observed for three days instead.”
“But Governor Bartlet would never fire you for observing the full week of Shiva.”
“Of course not.” He scoffs. “The Governor spoke to me personally and he was insistent that I take as
much time as my family needed. I’m not worried about it in the least.”
“Then why is your mother?”
“We’ve never been all that observant; at least not since Joanie died. Mom thinks that my place is on
the campaign now and she’s pulling out every trick in the book to get me to go back early. I just can’t
leave her, Donna. Not now.”
“No, I wouldn’t imagine you could.” I agree. “So what do you do now?”
“I… think I should resign as Director of Political Strategy.”
My eyes bug out. “Why? You just said the Governor is completely supportive!”
“He is. This isn’t about him, it’s about Mom, I can’t leave her here alone now while I traipse around the
country. Jed Bartlet has a whole team of dedicated staff who can get him elected President. Mom only
has me now.” He explains.
I don’t know what to say. I’ve never seen anyone so politically driven as Josh Lyman. He’s convinced
Jed Bartlet is the real thing and he’s made it his life’s work, literally, to put the Governor in the Oval
Office when only a few dedicated souls thought it was possible.
“What are you thinking?” He asks me. I’m surprised he can’t read it on my face.
“That you’re a very good son; a very good, but slightly stupid son.” I amend.
“What?”
“Granted, I haven’t known your mother very long, but I am certain the last thing she’d want is for you to
quit and stay here to look after her.” I tell him. “That’s like saying, ‘Mom, you’re just too frail and
incapable of taking care of yourself, so I’ll give up my entire life because that’s what it’s going to take to
make sure you’re okay’. How insulting.”
“It’s insulting that I want to take care of my mother?” He asks in disbelief.
“It’s insulting to her that you think the only way to take care of her is to stay here and baby sit her.” I
counter. “She’s a very smart, capable woman, who is surrounded here by neighbors and friends who
evidently, would do anything for her if what I’ve witnessed in the last few days is accurate. No wonder
she’s trying to push you out the door early. She’s afraid you’re going to do exactly what you’re
planning to do.”
To his credit, he takes a minute to contemplate what I’ve said. It’s more than I thought he’d do at this
point. Josh has a tendency to run off at full speed once he has decided on a course of action.
“I don’t believe for a second Mom is incapable of taking care of herself. They don’t come any smarter
or any stronger than my mother. I just don’t want her to be alone right now. I don’t want to abandon her
so soon after dad died for a… political run.”
“I understand that, I do.” I assure him. “I think what you should do is talk to Sarah instead of dictating
terms to her. Tell her exactly what you just told me. She’ll understand and appreciate that. Then the
two of you can come up with a solution together.”
“You’re very smart, Donnatella Moss.” He tells me with a small smile that I can’t quite return.
“My parents would be the first to disagree with you.” I shrug. “I need to ask you something and I need
you to answer honestly.”
“I’ve never lied to you Donna.”
“Okay. Should I go back to Chicago now?”
“If I had my druthers, you wouldn’t ever go back to Chicago, but Sam assures me that that’s terribly
selfish of me and I should put your needs first. Sam’s better at this kind of stuff than I am.”
“What kind of stuff?” I push just a little.
“This.” He motions between us. “Relationship stuff. Let me ask you something. Do you want to go back
to Chicago right now?” He returns fire before I can get clarification on the ‘relationship stuff’ answer. I
admit it’s promising, but friendships are relationships too. Is that what he meant? “Donna?”
I shake my head ‘no’ slowly. “The University isn’t expecting me back for another week and since the
campaign has moved on from Chicago, I’m sure they can spare me for a few more days. I thought I’d
stay until you were ready to go back. But I don’t have to. And I won’t if you want or need some alone
time with your mom.”
“Give me a break. I think she likes you better than me already. A few more days and she’ll have
adopted you. I might be risking half my inheritance by asking you to stay, but it’s worth the risk.” He
teases. “However, if I talk to mom and she agrees I should stay longer, then you need to go back at the
end of the week. I don’t want to be like Freeride, derailing your plans and goals. They’re good ones,
Donna.”
His words mean more to me than he could ever know. “Deal.” I promise. I’ve gotten to know Sarah
pretty well. I’d be shocked if we’re both not on our way back to our respective campaigns at the end of
the week. “Go talk to your mother.”
“We’re okay now?”
“Better than okay.”
“Then unpack your damn stuff and come downstairs. We’ll have dinner.” He instructs me. I decide to
follow his instructions, just this once, and unpack with a huge smile on my face.
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“It took me all this time to talk Donna off the ledge you just pushed her out on.” I accuse.
“I’m not the one pushing Donna away; that would be you.” Mom counters. “I still don’t understand why
you’d waste your time and effort on Mandy when you have Donna in your life.” I’m not the only one in
my family that’s adept at misdirection.
“I told you I’m not seeing Mandy anymore, and Donna HASN’T been in my life for the last few months,
remember?”
“How’d that happen anyway? Did you do something horrible to make her leave?”
“Yes, Mother, I paid her salary out of my salary until the campaign could afford to pay her. If I were
Catholic, I assume I’d still be serving penance for that one.” I drawl.
“How do YOU know about penance?” She asks.
“The Governor is Catholic and he loves to share; especially with a captive audience, like one would
find on a campaign bus.” I explain. “Now can we please get back to our original discussion?”
“I don’t know. Can we discuss this issue without you shouting at me?” she responds, but I hear a slight
quiver in her voice. In my misguided effort to help her, I think I may have hurt her.
“Absolutely. I’m sorry I raised my voice, Mom. I guess I’m a little emotional these days.” I apologize
sincerely and her face immediately softens.
“We both are.” She meets me half way.
“I’m concerned about leaving you here alone.” I say honestly. “Not because you can’t take care of
yourself, and not because I don’t think you’re strong enough or smart enough to handle everything on
your own. I just don’t want you to HAVE to take care of it all alone. I’m worried that you’ll be lonely now
and I feel like we should stick together for awhile.”
She considers my words before she replies. “I can’t lie to you and tell you I won’t be lonely. I already
am. The bed is too big without your father and I think the house will be too big without him too. But you’
re my son, not my husband. You can’t fill that void for me. As wonderful as it is to be with you and have
your undivided attention these last few days, you simply can’t fix that, Joshua.”
“Then what do we do?”
“You need to stop worrying that something is going to happen to me if you let me out of your sight.”
She says honestly and her words hit me like a sucker punch. Is that what I’ve been afraid of? “You
need to get back to your job and get Jed Bartlet elected President. If I can’t have any grandchildren to
brag about, at least I can brag about how my son works with the President in the White House.” That
makes me laugh. “You should get back to it now, Josh. I’m okay.”
“But I’m not.” I admit. “I need a few more days here.”
“You take as many as YOU need. Just don’t fool yourself into believing it’s what *I* need, okay?”
“Deal.” I echo Donna’s words from upstairs. “Donna and I just had a similar discussion. She offered to
go back to Chicago but I asked her to stay. I guess I should have discussed that with you first.” I give
her a sheepish look.
“Donna will always be welcome here.” Mom pats my hand. “She has a very calming effect on you and
she’s simply a wonderful woman. I like her very much.”
“I told her you’d probably be adopting her soon.” I joke.
“I am hoping she might join the family, but not through adoption.” Mom tells me with a gleam in her eye.
My mother doesn’t miss much.
“We seem to be on different paths at the moment.”
“No, at the moment you’re on exactly the same path. When you leave here it may diverge for awhile,
but whether you stay on different paths or not, I think, is entirely up to you.”
“She’s made a life for herself in Chicago, Mom. I can’t ask her to set that aside for me. She’s already
done that for a guy once and with disastrous results.”
“You aren’t seriously comparing yourself to that selfish jerk in Wisconsin?”
“I’m saying, she needs a chance to spread her wings and be independent for awhile.”
“Hmmmm… we’ll see I guess.” Mom squeezes my hand. “In any case, I’ll be eternally grateful that she’s
here with you now. She cares about you very much.”
“It’s mutual.” I stand up. “I’m going to get some food together for dinner. Donna should be down in a
few minutes.” I imagine she’d be down here already if she wasn’t giving us a little time to talk privately. I
pull out the makings for a salad because I know it will please her and amuse my mother. What I do for
these women!
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“No, no, no!”
“Volume, Joshua.” I hush him.
“They tagged Michaelson on global warming, Donna!” He responds. “He is the wrong choice on this.
How could they tag Michaelson when Clemmons is just sitting there on the dais with them?!”
“It makes me nutsy.” I shake my head sadly at the television in an effort to convey empathy but I think
he catches my sarcasm.
“This is a serious thing, Donna.”
“So I’m gathering.”
“Get Leo on the phone.”
“Excuse me? I’m not your assistant anymore.”
“Not as my assistant, as my… friend.” He amends carefully.
“Tell me Joshua, just how many friends provide you with dialing assistance?” I question.
“You’d be the first… because you’re special.” He smiles.
“Nice try. Dial it yourself.”
“But Leo always likes to talk to you.”
“Everyone likes to talk to me. I’m pleasant on the phone, unlike some others I could name. In any case,
nobody will be talking to Leo for the next little while.”
“Why not?” He demands.
“Because he’s on the dais with the Governor.” I nod back toward the set.
“Damn it!”
“Joshua, the language please!” Sarah chastises him. Many people are still circulating through the
place each day and I think Sarah worries about what her friends and neighbors might hear coming out
of Josh’s mouth. It’s not an unfounded fear.
“Sorry!” He shouts back to her. “What about Toby? Can’t we get Toby on the phone?”
“I’m sure you can.” See how I turned it back on him?
“Donna… come on. I’m busy watching the thing. Just call him and tell him to yank Michaelson…”
“…and use Clemmons.” I mutter, but God help me I take his cell and make the call.
“What the hell Josh? I’m trying to watch the thing!” Toby answers.
“Toby, it’s Donna.”
“Oh. Sorry Donna. Tell him I’m watching the thing.” Toby requests.
“He’s watching too. He wants me to tell you to pull Michaelson and put in Clemmons.” I relay.
There’s a pause at the other end. “And he asked you to call me because he’s banking on the fact that
I won’t tell you to shut up and hang up on you?”
“That’s what I’m guessing.” I answer.
“Damn.” Toby swears lightly. “I’ll pass it on to Leo.”
“Sooner would be better than later. He looks like he may blow a gasket soon.” I warn.
“NO! For God’s sake! You can’t bring up emissions standards at an event with union people! Shut up,
you doofus! Get him off the dais!” Josh shouts behind me.
“See what I mean?” I say quietly into the phone.
“Yeah… I’ll find Leo now.” Toby agrees.
“Thank you!” I tell him gratefully before I hang up the phone.
“They’re going to tank the election before we even accept the nomination!” He complains.
“I really think it’s going to be okay.” I assure him. “Toby is going to speak to Leo right away. Look!
There he is now. Now everything will be fine. Let’s turn off the TV and go take a walk.” Over his
sputtering, I hit the power button on the remote and the TV goes black. He pretends to hate the walk,
but it gives him a chance to vent and work off the energy that’s been building with this enforced rest. It’
s all good.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Chapter 9
I thought the goodbyes with Sarah were emotional. Now standing in the airport with Josh as we await
our flights taking us in different directions, I think I may lose it and start bawling at the terminal. My
flight is the first one to leave and I’m so glad. If I had to stand here for another hour alone, like he
does, I think I’d go crazy.
He bought me a coffee and we’re sitting side by side in the nasty plastic chairs at my gate waiting for
the flight to start boarding. Suddenly, he turns to me.
“You know I wish you’d come back with me, right?” He says in a slight panic and I nod. “I just couldn’t
ask you to quit your job and your classes like he did or I’d be making a huge stink about it right now.”
“And if I didn’t need to do this for myself; finish what I started and stand on my own two feet, I’d be
begging to come with you.” I admit and we exchange sad smiles.
“I don’t know how to begin to thank you for everything you’ve done for me over this past week.” He
shares quietly. “It meant… a lot to me.”
“It meant a lot to me too.” I tell him. “For you to ask me to stay, to include me in your family; that was…”
I don’t have the words. “I wish I could have met your dad, but knowing you, I feel like I’ve been able to
see parts of him. Some of the stories people told about him? I could see and hear you in every one of
them. I know he was a fine man because of the fine son he helped raise.”
“I think I could find a few people that would disagree with you about my attributes.”
“Then they don’t know you like I do.” I state.
“I’m beginning to think that nobody does.”
They call for boarding on my flight and I try to hold back the tears. “You’ll call me and tell me what it’s
like at the convention?” I ask.
“You’ll probably wish I didn’t have your number by the time this is over.” He teases.
“There’s always caller ID and voicemail if you get on my nerves.” I shoot back as I stand up. “Take care
of yourself, okay? Try to get some sleep and eat decent food once in awhile.”
“I’ll try. But you could call and remind me now and again.” He suggests.
“That would probably be wise.” I agree. I can’t take this anymore so I grab my carryon and turn to face
him one last time before I go. “Goodbye, Joshua.”
“Bye, Donnatella.” He replies and leans forward to kiss me on the cheek. He’s been doing that all
week. This time though, after he kisses my cheek, he pauses before he retreats to his space and looks
deeply into my eyes for some sort of clue. The next thing I know he’s kissing me on the lips. A volt of
electricity passes through my entire body in that one brief kiss and then he backs away. I guess some
part of me is not content to leave it at that, because I grab his lapels and pull him close again for
another kiss; this one is hungry and deep. Our tongues duel and our bodies are flush against each
other.
Another boarding call shakes me from the hypnotic state I’m in and I break away, breathing heavily.
“We definitely should have started doing that a long time ago.” He says raggedly.
“Uh-huh.” I nod. I still can’t find words. “Will you call me when you get there?”
Now it’s his turn to nod. “I’ll see you again soon, Donna. I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” I give him one more, brief kiss and rush over to the line boarding the plane.
Before I step onto the jet-way, I glance back at him for a final look. His eyes are fixed on mine and I can
see the pain in them. I consider tearing my ticket up and running back to him, but in the end I get on
and fly back to Chicago. I need to finish what I’ve started there… but I drink a lot on the way.
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“Slow down, will you?” Leo requests. “We’ve got three days before the convention starts.”
“And a million things to do in that time period.” I toss back.
“That’s why I’m trying to teach you to delegate.” Leo continues.
“You’re not a good teacher.”
“I really think it has more to do with the student.” Leo surmises. “You’re burning the candle at both
ends. You’re going to crash and then you’ll be of no use to me whatsoever.”
“I just have to make it through the convention.” I maintain.
“I hate to break it to you, kid, but the election isn’t over with the convention. I’m going to need you
sharp for just a little longer than that.” Leo stops and literally pulls me to a stop with his hand on my
arm. “Are you okay being back here? Did you come back too soon?”
I realize his concern is personal now, not professional. I didn’t mean to make him worry.
“I’m alright, Leo. It just helps to keep busy, you know? And there is a lot to do around here. Things
really went to hell while I was gone.”
Leo rolled his eyes. “I have run a national campaign before. We hobbled along just fine without you.”
“Please! Michaelson, Leo? Michaelson?!” I repeat just for good measure.
“He did fine. You’re paranoid.”
“You pay me to be paranoid. Now leave me alone so I can get the Governor elected, would you?”
I barely make it ten feet from Leo when Sam’s path intersects with mine.
“Josh! Can you take a look at this for me?”
“Why isn’t Toby taking a look at this for you?”
“He’s in a mood.” Sam admits. “Just take a look and make sure I highlighted what you wanted so we
can cut pieces from the speech for the commercial.”
“Ah-kay.” I agree. “When do you need this by?”
“No rush. Take your time. I just need it by six.” He informs me.
“Sam! It’s almost 4:30 now!”
“It’s a short speech. Just skim it.” He advises as he quickly leaves me behind.
“Joshua.” I hear another voice from behind me.
“Claudia Jean.”
“Have I mentioned how much you were missed around here?”
“What do you want?” I ask point blank.
“I want a spa day and peace in the middle east.” She replies wistfully.
“Sounds like a plan. Good luck with that.” I turn to leave her in my dust.
“I’d also like you to do a 10 minute sit down for the Governor.” She admits and walks arm-in-arm with
me until we reach my office.
“I’m sorry?”
CJ shuts the door behind us. “A ten minute sit down; that’s all.”
“Are you addled? Remember me? Josh Lyman? After Des Moines you said you’d never let me within
50 feet of the press corps again.”
“That was… an unfortunate incident, true, but I think you’ve learned your lesson and grown a great
deal since then.”
“Oh, this I’ve got to hear.” I sit back in my chair and put my feet up on the desk.
“Hoynes gave an interview and mentioned you and they’d like a follow-up with you personally.”
“I’m taking it that Hoynes’ mention wasn’t favorable?” I guess.
“It was actually quite complimentary… to you.”
“But not the Governor?”
“Not so much, no.” She sighs. “Just ten minutes and we can easily walk this back. I’ll practice with you
tonight after the speech, you do the sit down in the morning, and everything’s good.”
“Fine.” I heave a sigh of my own. “Now get out, I have calls to make and people to threaten.”
“I’ve got one more thing.”
“One more thing?” Come on, CJ, leave me alone. Can’t you see I’ve got stuff everywhere.
“When does Mandy arrive?”
“How the hell would I know when…” I stop myself mid-sentence. “Go ask Margaret. She’ll have it written
down somewhere.”
“You haven’t spoken to Mandy lately?”
“What the hell CJ?”
“I’m just asking if you…”
“No, except for the conference calls we’re all on, I have not spoken to Mandy. Why?” Something’s off
here and I want to know what.
“I was going to talk to you about this sooner, but it was the Illinois primary and then your dad…”
“CJ…What?”
“I had a chat with Donna before the primary. We talked about… things.”
“CJ, three days ‘til the convention here.” I try to speed things up.
“Donna was helped in her decision to leave the campaign.” CJ spits out and my feet drop off my desk.
“What?” I shake my head. “No, she was missing Wisconsin and her deadbeat boyfriend wanted
another chance.”
“She was led to believe her feelings for you would embarrass you and humiliate her so she made up
the other stuff so you wouldn’t fight with her about her decision.”
“Just who would lead her to believe that?” I ask quietly, but I already know the answer.
“Mandy.” CJ leans forward. “I know she’s due back here tomorrow and I realize you’ve got other
priorities, but I thought you’d like to know up-front so you can figure out how you’d like to respond.”
“You KNOW how I want to respond.” I growl.
“Yes, but that’s illegal in all 50 states and I’m pretty sure you can’t work in the White House with a
felony murder conviction.”
“Son of a bitch.” I swear softly and lift the phone to my ear, pause, and then replace the receiver. This
is not something that should be handled over the phone and it’s not something that should be a knee
jerk response. This needs to be done in person, after careful thought and planning, and it will have to
wait until after the convention.
“Josh?”
“Yeah. Thanks for the heads-up, CJ. I’ll be sure to take care of it once the convention is over.”
“But if you need any help…?”
“You’ll be the first one I call.” I promise and watch her face transform into an evil grin. That face is why
none of us ever cross Claudia Jean. “Thanks.”
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“I told you you’d ace the assignment.” I can hear him smirking over the phone. “No, no, Sam’s got a
new draft of that. Bring it to Leo and have him sign off on it. Sorry, it’s a madhouse here.”
“I can imagine.” And I can. I can picture it all in my head; everyone running around like chickens with
their heads cut off, Toby shouting at everyone, Josh firing orders at everyone, and CJ trying to keep
everyone on message. God, I really wish I was there.
“What did you say?” He shouts into the phone.
“I said, ‘I can imagine’!” I shout back and laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. “Josh, go take care of
what you need to take care of. I’ll talk to you later.”
“I want to talk to you now!” He insists.
“I understand, but it’s a little difficult now.”
“What?”
“Call me later, when things calm down.” I shout again and the woman sitting across from me on the bus
gives me a nasty glare. Too bad.
“That won’t be for hours and then you’ll be sleeping.” He protests.
“You can wake me up.”
“Really?”
“Josh! Just go! I’ll talk to you whenever you get the chance.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I get a chance. Bye!” He replies and I know he couldn’t hear me at all. I really
just wanted to tell him I got an A on my assessment of Governor Bartlet’s voting record. I’m doing very
well in all my classes. I’m heavy loading it this summer, but by doing that, I can get the rest of the
credits I need in one full school year to get my degree. It’s going to be a lot of work, but it will be well
worth it. So what if I’ve given up a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in the room when a candidate I’ve
worked for accepts the Democratic nomination for President. I’ll just watch it on TV. And there’s Josh!
Josh will tell about every minute, in excruciating detail I’m sure. It will be almost as good as being there.
Almost.
I’m fighting tears when I climb the three flights of stairs to the apartment I share, rifling through the day’
s mail. My roommate is working a double-shift so I’ll have the place to myself for a few hours. I can take
a hot bath in our tiny tub, pour myself a glass of cheap wine and have a good pity cry. See? My
evening is looking up already.
I frown when I see an envelope with my name and address on it but without a return address. I peer
closer at the postal stamp and see ‘Connecticut’. Sarah! I tear the envelope open and see a smaller
envelope inside. Though I’m dying to see what’s in the smaller envelope, I refrain from ripping that one
open as well and instead take the time to read the letter she’s written me.
Dear Donna,
I hope this finds you well. I’m sure you’re overdoing it, but like my Joshua, you seem to thrive on multi-
tasking.
I have a little problem and I’m hoping I can impose on our friendship to help solve it. I bought a ticket to
go to the convention with every intention of being there for the acceptance speech on the last night,
but I’m just not up to it. I’m afraid my low mood would put a damper on what should be a night of
elation, so I’ve decided not to go. Now I’m stuck with this non-refundable ticket and a hotel room that’s
already been paid for as well.
Then I got to thinking that the big speech is on a Thursday and MAYBE you could rearrange your
schedule to free yourself up enough to go and stay until Sunday. Though I can’t refund the ticket, I
found out I could change the name on the ticket as well as the flights origin and destination for a
nominal fee. If I can’t be there, at least Josh would have someone else close to him to share the
moment with. I hope you can find a way to be there. It would mean the world to Josh and to me.
Love,
Sarah
I close my eyes and slowly let out my breath before opening the second envelope. Inside is an airline
ticket and a hotel confirmation number. I feel like Cinderella. I am going to the convention!
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“I can’t be the one to approach Hoynes.” Josh holds his hands out. “He’ll take it as the ultimate insult;
the deputy coming to gloat over the win. If we have any hope in hell of him taking the VP slot it has to
come directly from the Governor.”
“Governor?” Leo turns it back to me.
“Josh knows him best, I trust his judgment.” It took a while before I did, but now I know that Josh Lyman
has incredible political instincts and bad things happen when I don’t listen to him. “Arrange for him to
come up to the suite tonight.”
“I’ll have Margaret set it up.” Leo gets up to give Margaret her marching orders and I glance over at
Josh who seems to have already moved onto something else. This kid is always moving; fast. Even
when his body stops his mind keeps going at breakneck pace.
“What are you looking at?” I ask out of curiosity.
“I’m just considering moving some of our resources from the Pennsylvania 5th to the Indiana 1st.” He
tells me absently.
“Maybe we should wait until I accept the nomination before we plan for the general?” I suggest and he
quirks an eyebrow at me.
“I thought you were the master chess player, sir.”
“I’m sorry?”
“This is no different than a chess game. You’ve got be at least three moves ahead of everyone else or
you’re sunk.” He explains. “So I’m looking at general election strategy and voter turnout strategies.”
“While I’m still arguing about the acceptance speech with Toby and negotiating the VP spot with
Hoynes?”
“You should give in on the speech issues with Toby, but you won’t feel good about it ‘til you’ve talked it
all through with him so… Hoynes will take the VP spot as long as it comes directly from you and you
convince him that you want him as well as need him.” He continues. “It’s your job to stay in the moment.
It’s my job to think ahead with strategy.”
“That’s why you get the big bucks?” I tease.
“Yes, sir.” He laughs. It’s even funnier to me now that I’ve seen firsthand where Josh’s family comes
from. This kid could have gone anywhere and done anything or nothing at all and just soaked up one
of the trust funds Leo tells me Josh has. But here he is, working around the clock for peanuts.
“Josh?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Why are you here?”
“Sir?”
“What made you jump ship with Hoynes and work for me when I treated you all like crap and this
campaign was nothing but a wish and a prayer?”
He pauses a minute and a small smile creeps up on his face. “I looked about three or four steps ahead
and saw you were the one who’d be standing here accepting the nomination.”
“Psychic are you?”
“Yes, sir. If you’ll excuse me?” He asks permission.
I nod. “So what do you see three or four steps from now, Josh?”
Josh closes his eyes a second. “I’m not sure but you’re sitting in a big, round room of some kind.” He
opens his eyes and we both laugh while he walks to the door.
“It’s good to have you back, son!”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Chapter 10
“Josh?” I ask for his opinion.
“I’m sure it’s fine. Nobody knows how to manipulate the media like Mandy. She knows her audience.”
He smiles at her but it’s not the kind of smile on which I’d like to be on the receiving end. Mandy seems
to sense it too.
“Why thank you Joshua.” She purrs.
“No, this is all you Madeleine.” He insists. “This is going to open all kinds of doors to you.”
Uneasy with the direction of the conversation, I jump in. “We’re at the one yard line, people we cannot
drop the ball now. This isn’t the end of the primary season it’s the beginning of the general. I want this
roll-out to go without a single hiccup. If that means you eat nothing and sleep not at all for the next four
days, I can live with that. Come Friday morning you can all catch up on your beauty rest. Until then, we
focus on every detail between now and when the balloons drop on Thursday night. If there are any
glitches, I sure as hell better hear about it before CNN, got it?”
“Great pep talk, Leo.” Josh mutters.
“Think of it more as a death threat if that helps.” I reply and there are chuckles around the room.
“Everybody go do a job. Josh, I need you for another minute.”
“What’s up?”
“If there’s trouble between you and Mandy, I don’t want it touching any of this.”
“No trouble.” He shakes his head. “She’s doing her thing and I’m doing mine.”
“Yes, but sometimes you doing your thing requires that you direct her to do her thing.”
“That didn’t even make sense.” Josh tells me. “Trust me. We’re all going to run like a well oiled
machine between now and Friday.”
He heads off to do what he does best and it doesn’t even hit me until he’s gone to wonder why his
guarantee only covers through Friday. Shit.
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I think I’m asleep standing up. It’s not a good feeling, but it’s not bad either. It’s like when your arm falls
asleep. You can see that your arm is still there, but you have no power to move it even though it doesn’
t hurt in any way. This is all by way of saying that even though I see Donna standing in front of me, I’m
pretty sure I’m just hallucinating the whole thing which is why I don’t react in a surprised or happy
manner. This seems to concern my vision of Donna. Weird.
“Josh?” Cool. It can talk too! “Joshua!”
“I don’t want to wake up.” I tell it.
“You’re asleep right now?” She asks.
“I have to be. You’re not at the convention.” I shake my head sadly and she laughs.
“Lord, Joshua, when is the last time you got some sleep?”
“Tuesday. I definitely slept Tuesday.” I reply.
“Margaret?” Dream Donna calls out. “Does he have any time?”
“He could take an hour now, but then Leo needs him back here by 3 at the latest.” Margaret calls back.
“Thanks!” Donna answers and she takes my hand. “You need a power nap.”
“I need a nap while I’m sleeping?” Dream Donna laughs again.
“I think so, yes. I’ll take you to my room where you can have some peace and quiet and nobody will
know where to find you.”
“Perfect. Sam snores. I really hate that. You don’t snore.” I inform her.
“Josh? You’re not sleeping now. You’re awake…barely.”
“Then you’re really here? I’m not dreaming you?” I ask suspiciously.
She tugs me closer and kisses me thoroughly. “I’m really here.” She assures me and leads me upstairs
and into her hotel room. “Now lie down and get a little sleep. I’ll wake you in time for your 3 o’clock.”
She pushes me down on the bed and removes my shoes. When she leans over me to loosen my tie, I
pull her down on top of me and kiss her again.
“You’re here alone with me for the next hour and you think I’ll spend the time sleeping?” I ask
incredulously and practically attack the woman. In a matter of seconds, I’ve rolled us so that she’s
under me, her shirt is unbuttoned and her bra is undone. My eyes travel hungrily over her body, which
has turned a light shade of pink. Her chest is rising and falling rapidly with her quickened breath and I
realize I’m breathing fast too. “You’re so beautiful.”
She smiles shyly and it makes me pause again. In my haste I didn’t even stop to think that she might
not be ready for this step. With great restraint I slow down and talk to her. “How did you get here?”
“A fairy Godmother sent me a ticket and a hotel confirmation.” Huh? My confusion must show on my
face, “Your mother.”
“I LOVE my mother.” I smile.
“She’s an incredible lady.”
“How long can you stay?” I ask desperately and kiss her again
“Until Sunday.”
“Sunday?! That’s…” I suspend my activities for a moment while I calculate how many times I could
make love to this woman in the next four days. I’m not as young as I used to be but…
“Josh?” She brings my wandering mind back to the angel in my arms. “Not that I’m not enjoying this,
because, I swear that I really am, I’m just thinking that an hour isn’t long enough to give this the
attention it deserves. Besides, I think you need sleep a lot more than…”
“I don’t know about that.” I dispute and kiss her once more, but she’s right and I know it. “I’ll sleep if you
stay with me.”
“Sounds perfect.” She fastens herself back up a bit and we settle in to each other’s arms for a nap.
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I don’t close my eyes for a second. I can’t take my eyes off this man. About halfway here I had a panic
attack. What if my arrival wasn’t a happy surprise? Maybe I should have called and asked him first. We’
ve talked almost every day, but only for a few minutes at a time. Then there’s the fact that Mandy will
be here. I lucked out in Chicago. When the main campaign was there, she was on the West coast
handling some media buys there and getting things ready for the convention. There won’t be any
escaping her now.
I need to wake him now, but I hate to do it. He looks completely at peace and from how he dropped
immediately into deep sleep he is clearly exhausted. But if Margaret said he had to be down at 3…
“Josh? It’s time to wake up.”
“Five more minutes.” He murmurs and pulls me closer to him.
“Sorry, Leo doesn’t accept the snooze button as an excuse for being late. Wake up. You’ve got a big
night ahead of you.” I rub his shoulder and his eyes gradually open.
“You’re still here.”
“I told you. You’re stuck with me until Sunday, unless that doesn’t work for you?” I give him an out as
he rolls over and out of bed. Please don’t take it. PLEASE don’t take it. Like a lion springing to catch its
prey he leaps back into bed and tackles me until he has my wrists locked above my head and his body
flush with every inch of mine.
“If I had my way I’d keep you right here, just like this for much longer than Sunday.” He growls and
kisses his way down my throat.
“Wow…you seem to be wide awake now.” I tease noting that ALL of him is up and ready for the day.
“I certainly am.” He agrees and continues his journey downward. “Remind me to send my mother some
REALLY nice flowers.”
“Josh! Stop!” I beg but since I’m laughing it probably doesn’t sound very authoritative. “Josh! You have
to go meet Leo and get everything ready for Governor Bartlet’s acceptance tonight.”
“Governor who?” He quips and keeps kissing me.
“Josh!” I push him off me but not without a great deal of effort. “Shower, then downstairs; now.”
“Fine, fine… but you should come with me.”
“No!”
“Don’t you feel grimy after your flight? I always feel grimy after my flight.” He laughs pulling me with him
toward the bathroom.
“I do NOT feel… Josh! This isn’t your room. You need to go to your room to take the shower.”
“Damn. I have no clothes here.” His face falls.
“That’s right.” I agree.
“I’d have to walk around naked.” His face brightens again and he wiggles his eyebrows at me.
“Margaret is going to yell…” I threaten. That makes him freeze for a second, but then he shakes his
head no.
“It would be worth it.” He decides and tries to grab me again. I open my door.
“Out. Now.”
“Only if you come with me.” He negotiates.
“I don’t belong down there.”
“Yes, you do.” He says simply and just like that, I believe him. “So get your purse or whatever you need
to take with you and we’ll be on our way.”
“You’re crazy.” I tell him but I grab my purse and follow.
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“Tonight, what began on the commons in Concord, Massachusetts, as an alliance of farmers and
workers, of cobblesmen and tinsmiths, of statesmen and students, of mothers and wives, of men and
boys; lives two centuries later as America! My name is Josiah Bartlet, and I accept your nomination for
the Presidency of the United States!”
I have chills. My words just came out of the mouth of the Democratic nominee for President. I look over
to Toby for his reaction and see his eyes glassy with emotion. Unbelievable. Then I look for Josh, the
guy who brought me into all of this but I can’t find him. I lean closer to Donna, who Josh made me
swear I’d keep next to me the entire time, and ask her where Josh went. Unerringly, she points over to
one of the network cameras where our guy is spinning his heart out for the Governor. Donna and I
share a grin at Josh’s obvious joy in the moment.
“You know he’s going to be completely insufferable now.” I note.
“He wasn’t before?” She teases. “Let him bask for the moment. He’s earned it. You all have. Sam I
swear that was one of the most moving speeches I’ve ever heard. Look! I still have goose bumps!”
“The ultimate compliment for a writer, thanks.” Donna is so sweet. It was a great surprise to see her
here. Judging from Josh’s demeanor, he’s pretty happy about this surprise too. “This is just an
incredible night. I’m not sure there will ever be another one like this.”
“There might be one coming up in November that could rival it.” She suggests.
“You better not let Toby hear you say that or you’ll be sent outside to turn around and curse.”
“I didn’t say anything specific.” She denies.
“Sure. But even if we’re celebrating in November, it will be different than this.”
“Why aren’t you up there spinning with Josh?” She asks.
“I drew the short straw.” I admit and laugh at the expression on Donna’s face. “Leo and Josh are on
tonight, CJ and I go on tour in the morning.”
“So no late night partying for you tonight?”
“Very limited partying for me tonight.” I qualify. “Let’s head up to the suite. I’m thinking it’s going to take
a while for the governor to make his way there.” She nods and I take her hand so we’re not separated
in the throng of people everywhere. “Josh was sure thrilled you were able to come.”
“It was more his mother’s doing than mine.”
“I’m just saying that I’m not sure which he was more excited about; the Governor’s acceptance tonight,
or your unexpected arrival.”
“Sam…” She looks around warily. “It’s a big night for the Governor, that’s all.”
“Well it’s not, but I’ll let it go for now. I just thought you’d want to know how happy your arrival made
Josh.”
“He’s probably thinking it’s one last opportunity to try and get me to fetch his coffee.”
I know she doesn’t mean that, but I can tell that the conversational topic is making her uncomfortable
so I drop it. “What did you think of Westport?”
“It was… something.” She says carefully.
“A little overwhelming?” I guess.
“At times.” She admits. “Everyone was very nice, don’t get me wrong. I just felt more than a little out of
place; a wren among the peacocks.”
“I reject the premise of your statement.” We hold up our credentials for inspection before we’re
admitted to the secured elevator that will take us upstairs.
“Sam, you’ve been there. You’ve hobnobbed with those people and you’ve been around me long
enough to know that I’m not like them. I come from a middle class family in Wisconsin and I’m currently
a broke college student. I felt like I was walking around with a ‘country bumpkin’ sign on my forehead.”
“Is Josh like ‘those people’?”
“Not usually, no, but he can morph into it when he’s there.”
“Morph?” I repeat laughing.
“I mean, he seems to fit in with the high society types and why wouldn’t he? He grew up with it. I just
never would have guessed he did, based on how he acted here. He seemed just like one of the guys.”
I laugh again. “He doesn’t SEEM like one of the guys; he is.”
“How can he be both?” She asks quietly.
I pause right outside the suite and we both show our ID’s to the Secret Service. “It seems to me, that
one was a life he was born into and the other is the life he chooses. You should always pay more
attention to choices than accidents of birth.” I knock on the door and it opens immediately. Mandy is on
the other side. The surprise on her face is apparent and I see her gaze slip down to where my hand is
joined with Donna’s.
“Well hello! What a surprise to see you here, Donna.” She looks back and forth between us again.
“Sam didn’t tell me he was bringing you.”
“I don’t know how I could have missed you on the memo.” I deadpan and pull Donna inside with me. I
don’t bother correcting her impression of Donna and me. I’ll let Josh have that honor. “That’s what I’m
talking about; champagne!” I grab a glass for each of us and offer a private toast. “To choices.” We
clink glasses and take a sip. I’m looking forward to the floorshow tonight.
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I am a man on a mission. I have spun my last interview and I am destined for the suite of the
Democratic nominee for President. And doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?
Yes, I am going to set a new record in the amount of time it takes to get from the convention hall to the
Democratic nominee’s suite - which means I stop for nothing and no one.
“Hey, Josh! Way to go!” Someone shouts, but I just wave and keep moving.
“You were so impressive in those interviews.” Some teenager croons and I laugh. “Any chance I could
get your autograph?”
“How fast can you walk?” I throw back and keep moving. She freezes for a second, then realizes I’m
serious and rushes to catch up to me. Hastily she hands me her Bartlet for America Placard and a pen,
which is when I notice her delegate badge.
“How old are you?” I demand.
“Old enough.” She grins and if the love of my life weren’t waiting for me upstairs… Did I just think that
out loud? “I’m Sarah Weissinger.”
“Ah!” I exclaim while I sign my name on her placard. “George Marshall Weissinger’s daughter.”
“You know Daddy?”
“You better believe I do.” I chuckle and hand both of her items back to her as I start up the stairs;
elevators are so damn slow. “And I also know how he feels about his baby girl.”
“Daddy is just overprotective.” She bats her eyes while she tries to keep up with me in her heels. It’s a
losing battle.
“It’s been my experience that most fathers are.” I admit. “It was nice meeting you, Sarah.” I call back to
her as I pull ahead and dash the rest of the way to the suite. I hold out my ID as I approach the door
and one of the agents talks into his wrist while he opens the door for me. The Governor, I mean the
Democratic nominee must be inside. Would you believe me if I said I really didn’t care about that at the
moment?
“Nice job with Wolf.” Mandy notes.
“I aim to please.” I reply scanning the huge crowd.
“That hasn’t been my experience.” She quips.
“I wasn’t particularly motivated after a while.” I admit.
“I think I should warn you that…” she begins but is thankfully cut off by John Hoynes.
“Josh, can I have a minute?” He requests and I take a few more seconds to continue my visual search
for Donna.
“Of course, Senator.” I sigh and we move off to the quietest corner he can find.
“Was this your idea?”
“Was what my idea?” I ask for clarification
“Putting me on the ticket.”
“Sir…”
“I need to know.” Hoynes interrupts again.
I’m not sure what’s motivating this sudden quest for knowledge but something is bothering him. If he’s
going to jump ship at this hour I’ll kill him myself. “Senator, the idea to put you on the ticket was the
Governor’s - His reasoning consisted of several factors; uniting the party, electoral math, and his
respect for you. He honestly feels you’re the best person for the job. But if you’re asking what my
opinion was, I heartily agreed with the Governor for all the same reasons; the entire senior staff did.
The decision was unanimous.”
John nods grimly. “Okay, then.” He holds his hand out for me to shake, which I do. “The convention
went off without a hitch. Nice job.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Makes me wish I’d listened to you back when it might have helped me.”
“Now it will help all of us. You and the Governor are a formidable team, Senator.” I sidestep the issue
of our last series of arguments when I worked for him.
“Well if things turn out as we hope in November, I’m going to want to talk to you about staffing me.”
“Yes, sir.” I acknowledge although there is no way I’d consider it unless the Governor and Leo bar me
from the West Wing. “If you’ll excuse me, sir?”
“Certainly. Go celebrate…you’ve earned it.”
“We all have. Congratulations, Senator.” I nod at him again briefly before I begin scanning the crowd
again. There! A Donnatella sighting. She’s almost nose to nose with CJ… that can’t be good for me,
can it? I slip through several groups of people, ignoring all of them when they call out to me. I’m about
15 feet away when she either senses me there or hears someone call out to me and her eyes meet
mine.
“Josh! Look who’s here!” CJ laughs. I think she’s drunk already.
“Believe me when I say I noticed.” I reply without breaking eye contact with Donna. “Let’s go.”
“Josh!” She objects when I take her hand and tug. “You just got here. All these people want to see you
and talk to you. We can’t just leave as soon as you arrive.”
“We really can.” I nod solemnly. “There’s no law against it. I’m a lawyer. I know these things.”
“You’re not a real lawyer.” Both women tell me in stereo.
“I have a law degree and a bar exam score that prove otherwise. Let’s go.” I tug again.
“Josh, please, you’re embarrassing me. We need to stay here for a little while at least.” She insists.
“Fine. One drink and then we get the hell out of here.”
“Josh, you just wrapped up an incredible convention.” CJ points out. “Don’t you want to celebrate your
success?”
“Of course I do, which is why I want to leave with Donna right now.” I explain. “She’s only here until
Sunday.”
“That does narrow your window of opportunity considerably.” She says sarcastically.
“Tell me about it.” I finish chugging down the glass of champagne I’d grabbed off a passing waiter’s
tray.
“Josh!” Donna hisses. “Stop it right now.” I really want to leave with Donna, but I seem to be pissing her
off and I don’t think a pissed off Donna Moss is conducive to the activities I hope to engage in… very
soon.
“There he is!” Sam clasps me across the shoulders.
“You were supposed to stay with her the whole time I was gone.” I accuse.
“I did!” Sam objects. “I just went to get the ladies another round of drinks. She was safely with CJ the
whole time… although what kind of danger you think she might be in…”
“There are venomous creatures about.” I reply.
“Luckily, you’ve already been inoculated.” CJ adds dryly.
“Enough. Tonight we celebrate!” Sam lifted his glass in a toast and we all join in, but the whole time we’
re there I’m aware of where Mandy Hampton is in the room at all times and expertly evade her…for now.
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Chapter 11
I’m dizzy from alcohol, yes, but mostly from the attention of this man I’m riding in the elevator with. His
fingers are drawing lazy circles on my back while his lips travel urgently along my face while he holds
me in his embrace. The dichotomy is riveting. I don’t even care about the security camera in the
elevator anymore. We’re going back to my room, or rather Sarah’s room, rather than kicking Sam out
of the room he shares with Josh. Luckily Josh already pressed the button on the elevator because I
can’t remember the number of the floor I’m on to save my life. For all the alcohol being passed around
tonight, Josh didn’t indulge in more than a sip or two when someone made a toast.
When I tease him about not being able to hold his alcohol, he gives me this searing look.
“I don’t want alcohol to dull one second of sensation or one moment of memory of this night.” If he
wasn’t holding me up I’d melt into a puddle on the floor. NOW I get why he touts his verbal skills.
The elevator doors open and we half walk-half stumble out into the hallway and down the couple doors
to my room. I attempt to hand him the key card, but he shakes his head at me.
“I don’t do so well with key cards, remember. You do it.”
“You don’t have the…touch?” I taunt.
“I think you’ll find that I do…just not with key cards.” He smirks as I open the door for us.
“Why waste your talent on key cards?”
“Precisely.” He precedes me into the room and tugs on my hand to hurry my entrance. Once inside, he
shuts the door and presses me up against it. His mouth assaults mine and demands a response which
I give whole heartedly. When I break away to get my lungs full of air a couple times, I look down and I’m
surprised to see my blouse and bra already undone. I turn incredulous eyes on Josh and he smirks
again.
“I told you I have the touch.”
“I can’t argue with that.” I admit. “But how about using this magical touch of yours on a more horizontal
surface?”
“Your wish is my command.” He leans down and sweeps me up into his arms, carrying me to the bed
and laying me down there gently before resuming the kissing and the touching. I am in heaven.
I try to catch up with him and bit in the disrobing department, but my limbs are literally weak so he ends
up taking off most of his clothing himself. I wonder at how a man who professes to hate exercise and
lives in a fluorescently lit office space most of the time has such well defined muscles. I take a moment
to admire the view before I run my hands all over him.
“Wait!” He nearly jumps off the bed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I…I forgot to bring anything…for protection.” He explains. “I was going to stop in the hotel store after
my interview but I forgot in my haste to get back to you.”
My mouth turns into a smirk of my own. “Haste, huh? Luckily for me I brought protection with me; just in
case.”
“You are brilliant.” He tells me and punctuates his words with a sizzling kiss. I reach over to my travel
case on the bedside table and retrieve a condom which I insist on taking care of myself. Really, it’s just
an excuse to touch him. I no sooner fit it around him, than he joins are bodies together. It’s like two
puzzle pieces fitting together perfectly.
I’m not a virgin. I’ve had my share of lovers. This is something different. I thought I loved Freeride. I
wanted to be in love with Freeride. I like to think that I was a little in love with each of the men I was with
or I wouldn’t have been with them to begin with. I can see now though, that it was all illusion. This is
what it’s like to be in love with your lover. Amazing.
Afterwards, Josh disposes of the condom and crawls back into bed naked, holding my body as close
as possible to his. I feel so sated and so at ease with this man that I fall asleep without another thought.
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I’ve got to find a way to convince Donna to come to Washington with me. Not right now. That wouldn’t
be fair when I can’t be sure where I’ll be come January. But once the election is over, I won’t take ‘no’
for an answer. I’ll get a Congressional job. I won’t have any trouble finding one after spearheading the
Governor’s run. All of us have made names for ourselves in the party no matter what the final outcome
is. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer and expect to be working in the White House starting January 20th.
PLEASE don’t tell Toby I shared that with you.
In any case, we’ll all be running around the country for the next 4 months. I’d have no time to spend
with Donna if she moved to DC right now. I took Sam’s question very seriously; what’s best for Donna?
I came up with a compromise. It may not be in her best interest for her to quit school again to work with
me, but I truly believe it’s in both our best interests to be together. I figure if she needs to finish school,
with a political science/communications degree by the way. She can do that as easily in DC as in
Chicago or anywhere else. It would be easy for her to transfer at the semester break in December.
She completes her degree and we’ll be together; win/win.
Now I just have to convince her.
“You’re up already?” She groans and looks at me through hooded eyes.
“Go back to sleep.” I tell her and run my hand through her hair.
“Are you going back to sleep?”
“Are you kidding? Of course I am.” I lie.
She narrows her eyes at me. “Liar.” I LOVE this woman and I set out to prove it but she puts a hand on
my chest. “You should be catching up on your sleep.”
“I can catch up on sleep after you go back to Chicago.”
She smiles shyly. “That was sweet.”
I put a finger over her mouth. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“It’s our secret.” She promises and seals it with a kiss that immediately sends our priorities from sleep
to other indoor sports. It’s a long time before we go out in search of breakfast…in the Governor’s suite.