Like A Bad Penny

by: Evelyn

“There are two fronts of attack, right?” Carolyn asked.

“Yes,” Josh said thoughtfully. “She’s leaked a story to the tabloid press, and she’s gotten some Republicans muttering about Congressional hearings.”

“But even if you shut down the hearings, and even if you can somehow quash this particular story, you still have Amy Gardner out there, just waiting to wreak havoc. It’s like a snake. If you don’t cut off the head, it’ll just keep biting you.”

“OK, I’ll call Amy and set up a meeting. See if I can make a deal,” Josh offered.

“And have at least five tabloid photographers ready to take some candids of that encounter? Hell, no, you can’t do that Josh,” Carolyn responded.

“What if I meet with her,” Donna suggested. “I know she hates me, but maybe I can make her understand...”

“Absolutely not,” both Carolyn and Josh said at the same time.

“Why not?” Donna demanded, her voice growing stronger.

“I don’t want you anywhere near her,” Josh growled. “I don’t want you to get upset.”

“Josh, I don’t need you to protect me,” Donna started, angrily.

“Yes you do, that’s what husbands do.”

“I can take care of myself. If anything, you need me to take care of you. I don’t want you meeting with Amy,” Donna said hotly.

“Stop it, both of you,” Carolyn shouted over the phone. “Josh, while it’s noble of you to want to protect Donna, right now she doesn’t need Sir Lancelot riding in on his steed, especially if he’s going to get his ass kicked by a media-savvy broad. And Donnatella, you aren’t going to meet with Amy, not because I don’t think you could take her in a fight, but because you are going to be above this fray. You meet with her and the media is gonna scream ‘cat fight’ and you’re going to be portrayed as the blonde bimbo. So both of you calm down, and if you’re not holding hands right now, it’d be a good time to start.”

Both Josh and Donna blushed at Carolyn’s words, but then looked at each other and grinned. They stretched their hands across the desk and grabbed hold. “So what do I do, Mrs. Moss?” Josh asked.

“Well first, you’re going to make sure that my daughter doesn’t shed another tear over this bitch,” Carolyn said softly.

“I promise,” Josh said smiling at Donna.

“And Donna, I need you to promise that you’re going to get down off your high horse and work with Josh as a team. You did that for years in the office, but it’s even more important as husband and wife,” Carolyn insisted.

“I promise,” Donna said, returning Josh’s smile with one of her own.

“OK, here’s what we need to do. Donna, can you go to your desk and book me on a flight to Washington for tomorrow?”

“Mom, I don’t want you to have to come here. You’ve got too much to do in Madison. What will your standing appointments say if you cancel at the last minute?” Donna argued.

“Jessie and Molly will take care of my regular customers. Don’t worry about it. And we’re going to clean up this mess within two days so I’ll be back in time for the Friday rush,” Carolyn said reassuringly.

“Two days, Mrs. Moss?” Josh asked doubtfully. “It might take more time than that. There’s a lot to do.”

“Joshua, no wonder you’re a Democrat. Big government isn’t necessarily efficient government,” Carolyn said with a chuckle. “We’re gonna cut off this snake’s head so fast that the tail will still be twitching when we throw it in the trash and take it out to the curb. Now scoot, Donnatella. I need to know my flight so I can call Jessie and Molly.”

“OK, Mom,” Donna stood up and left the office.

After a moment, Carolyn asked, “Is Donna out of the room?”

“Yes.”

“Good, turn off the speaker phone and let’s talk. Here’s what I need you to do,” Carolyn said stealthily.

Chapters - 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Sequel - A Few Bumps in the Road

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