Calling The Question

by: Evelyn

“I’m not sure this is a good idea, Josh,” CJ said for the third time. “Maybe Donna just needs time to cool off. And I don’t think I should be there when you make your abject apologies.”

Josh didn’t take his eyes off the road. He was driving 15 miles over the speed limit and CJ prayed that they weren’t pulled over since she didn’t want a story in the next edition of ‘The Washington Post’ about two senior White House officials arrested for speeding through the streets of D.C. after midnight.

“But something...something...not right, CJ. Donna left her cell phone and pager on her desk. We’re never without our lifeline to the White House.”

CJ felt for her pager, which was on her waist, and knew Josh was right. It was part of the fabric of their lives. The White House had to be able to get in touch with them no matter where they were or what they were doing - in case of an emergency, just like what had happened that night. She didn’t know what to make of Donna’s decision to leave her cell phone and pager behind, and knew that Josh’s nerves were so frayed that to speculate would only wind him up more.

“I just need to know she’s alright. If she doesn’t want to talk to me, maybe she’ll talk to you,” Josh said softly as he pulled into a parking space in front of Donna’s building.

“Her roommate’s out of town,” Josh explained as they walked up the stairs. “Donna told me earlier in the week.”

Josh pushed the doorbell and waited for an answer. A minute passed and he pushed it again. When there was still no answer, he turned to CJ.

“You’ve got the keys?” he asked.

“I still feel funny about this,” CJ objected, pulling out a key ring. The senior staff all had keys to each other’s apartments. They picked up one another’s mail and watered plants when one of them was out of town. The rest of the staff knew that if they depended on Josh, their mail would be stacked in their mailboxes and their plants dead from lack of water. Donna wasn’t technically senior staff, but nonetheless had exchanged keys with them all. They all knew they could depend on Donna.

“Why don’t you use the keys Donna gave you?” CJ asked, opening the outside door of the building. They walked in and walked up two flights of stairs until they got to the door of Donna’s apartment.

“Because I left Donna’s spare set at my place. I didn’t want to waste time going back over there,” Josh explained, waiting impatiently for CJ to open the door to Donna’s apartment.

They walked in, and Josh flipped on the lamp that sat on a table in the tiny foyer. The apartment was quiet, and CJ knew immediately that no one was home. She looked at Josh and shrugged her shoulders. “What now?” she asked.

Josh headed for Donna’s bedroom, while CJ walked into the kitchen where she saw a piece of paper on the counter next to the wallphone.

“CJ, CJ,” Josh called excitedly from the bedroom.

CJ started back into the living room where she met Josh.

“It’s gone,” Josh said flatly.

“What’s gone?” CJ asked.

“Her suitcase. Her favorite duffel bag is gone. She keeps it under her bed and it’s not there.”

“I think I know why,” CJ said quietly.

“Where is she?” Josh asked desperately.

“I think she’s home,” CJ answered.

“Where?” Josh demanded, looking around.

CJ held out a piece of paper. “I found this in the kitchen.”

Josh took the paper and scanned it quickly. Written in Donna’s distinct handwriting were the numbers 7:45 - 10:30. Josh looked up with quizzical eyes.

“Where is she, CJ?” Josh whispered.

“I think those are departure and arrival times. Josh. Donna went home just like she said. She’s in Madison, Wisconsin,” CJ said quietly.

Chapters - 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Sequel - Like A Bad Penny

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