Calling The Question

by: Evelyn

Donna stood outside the door of the First Lady’s office. Her assistant, Lily Mays, nodded to Donna and said, “She’s expecting you. Go right in.”

Donna opened the door and walked in. “The President said you wanted to see me?” Donna asked timidly.

Abbey rose from her chair, walked around her desk, and closed the distance to Donna, enveloping the young woman in a hug.

“I’m glad you’re back,” Abbey said smiling. “The place was falling apart without you.” She stepped back and motioned to Donna to sit on the couch next to her.

“You’re going to take the job?” Abbey asked.

“Yes, I’m honored. I’d actually thought about asking Leo for something like this a few weeks ago, but...” Donna’s voice trailed off.

“I’m so sorry about last night, Donna,” Abbey began.

“You were..you were....um....” Donna said.

“Royally played.” Abbey finished. “I know. Actually I knew it the minute I walked into that room. I’m sorry about it all. I should have stopped the meeting, but I didn’t want to make a scene,” Abbey explained.

“That’s what Amy counted on,” Donna nodded in agreement. “But that’s not why I left.”

“I figured as much,” Abbey said.

“Josh and I have danced around whatever we have for three years. But last night, when Amy walked in and ordered the coffee, I looked at him and realized that he’d be willing to continue with this stupid dance for four more years, and probably indefinitely after that. I love him, but he’s like Peter Pan, and I don’t intend to be Wendy,” Donna said with a hitch in her voice, tears beginning to well up as she fought for control. She took a deep breath and shook her head as if to banish from her mind the thoughts that troubled her.

“You’re right,” Abbey said simply.

“You think? Because I got to tell you, Mrs. Bartlet, that sounded a whole lot better than I feel. I feel like I’m dying here because I can’t figure out how to live without Josh Lyman, but I know that I can’t live like I have for the last six months. Close, distant, then close again, but still a barrier that he refuses to bridge.”

“I think he knows it now,” Abbey said. “But he’s stuck in second gear and doesn’t know how to get out of the hole he’s dug for himself over the last 40 years.”

“I don’t think I can help him,” Donna started.

“You may be the only one who can. Look, one way or the other, there’s no going back to the way things were. Right?” asked Abbey.

“Right,” Donna said definitely.

“Go see him, Donna. Stop dancing around and tell him what you want,” Abbey said. “Aren’t you saying that things have been out of your control for months now?”

“Yes.”

“So take control.” Then she added quietly, “You taught me that the night of my birthday party.”

“And if he...” Donna began.

“Step by step, Donna. Go see him. I have great faith in Joshua Lyman. He got an unknown governor from New Hampshire elected President of the United States,” Abbey smiled.

Donna stood up and started for the door, then turned back to face Abbey.

“I’m scared,” Donna said softly.

“I’m sure he is too,” Abbey answered.

“Thank you for everything,” Donna said and walked out the door.

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

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