Calling The Question

by: Evelyn

Carolyn Moss picked up the phone on the first ring and said, “She’s still not back, Josh.”

“Mrs. Moss, this is Jed Bartlet.”

“Good morning, Mr. President,” Carolyn said, pulling her robe around her and smoothing her hair.

“Donna’s not back, you say?” the President asked.

“No sir, she’s at the University. She’s picking up a course catalog and checking for on-campus jobs,” Carolyn answered carefully.

“I’m glad that Donna is thinking about going back to school, but I wonder if this is the right time,” the President asked.

“I’m not sure it is, Mr. President, but I also know that one desperately unhappy daughter arrived on my doorstep last night,” Carolyn pointed out.

“I’d like your help, Mrs. Moss, fixing the problem we have,” the President began.

“I know about the problem, Mr. President, and I’m not sure I want to fix it, if that means having Donnatella go back to work for Josh Lyman.”

“That isn’t what I intend,” the President assured her. “I’d like Donna to be my executive assistant.”

“Oh,” Carolyn said thoughtfully. “That sounds like it would be a good move for Donna. Much as I want her to finish her degree, I think she’d like to work for you. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime. She admires you very much and I was very touched that you called Molly Morello,” Carolyn said. She paused, but then added, “But that still doesn’t completely solve the problem, does it Mr. President?”

“No, Ma’am. It doesn’t.”

“Mrs. Moss, this is Abbey Bartlet. How is Donna this morning?”

“One mother to another?” Carolyn asked.

“Yes,” Abbey agreed.

“A mess. I don’t know which worries me more, when she’s crying or when she’s isn’t and acting like she’s fine,” Carolyn admitted. Then paused and asked, “Is he a good man?”

“Josh?” Abbey asked.

“Yes.”

“He’s the third most powerful man in our administration,” Leo interjected.

“That’s not what I asked,” Carolyn interrupted.

“Yes,” Abbey answered firmly. “He’s a very good man. He’s just...just...”Abbey struggled to find the right word.

“An idiot when it comes to love,” Carolyn finished for her.

“Yes, although I don’t think he’s ever really been in love before your daughter.”

“And he does love her, right? It sounds like it to me, but I want to be sure,” Carolyn said.

“I’m sure,” Abbey answered.

“OK, Mr. President. I’ll talk to Donna. What do you want me to say?” Carolyn asked.

“Just get her on the first plane back to DC. Tell her I want to see her, but don’t tell her about the job.”

“And you don’t have any question that if I send my daughter back to you, Josh will figure out what he has to do?” Carolyn asked.

“I guarantee it, Mrs. Moss,” the President said confidently.

“You’d better be right, Mr. President, or you can kiss the 11 electoral votes of Wisconsin goodbye,” Mrs. Moss said equally confident.

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

| << back | send feedback | The National Library |