I'm sitting on the couch, with a glass of Chardonnay, a book that I've read 100 times, and my favorite fuzzy blanket. I'm not getting anywhere in the reading, but I'm making quick work of the wine. I'm feeling good right now, but if Josh doesn't doesn't get out here soon, I'm going to be fully juiced.
"Finally! What took you so long?" I question him as he enters the living room. "Is Lulu okay?" After last week's ear infection, I'm still watching her like a hawk.
"She's fine. She's been down a few minutes. I was just laying out your back to school clothes."
"What?"
"I just can't believe it. It's your last semester. You're taking classes on campus. My baby's all grown up." He teases with a twinkle in his eye.
I know that mischievous look. No doubt he's up to something. I hope it's not too over the top.
As I get up off the couch, he grins at me, and follows me into the bedroom. Sure enough, there on the bed is an outfit. White Button down blouse, very short plaid skirt, knee high socks, and black patent leather shoes. My Catholic School Girl Outfit. Well. It has been a while since we played dress up.
"Are you sure Lulu's asleep?"
"Yeah."
. . . .
The next morning, once I've put on jeans, sneakers, and a Georgetown hoodie. I find all the pieces of the school girl outfit and throw them in the hamper. We may not use them very often, but I definitely want them to be clean when the mood strikes.
Josh is sitting at the table drinking coffee, while Lulu is her eating breakfast. She must have woke up a bit earlier than usual. I wonder if the cold is going to end up causing a change in her schedule? Well I guess as long as it's earlier and not later, we'll be okay.
"Awww, you look adorable." Josh coos at me. I just roll my eyes in response. Enough. I lean down and give Lulu a kiss.
"Hey baby doll. Good morning."
"Morning, Mama." She parrots back to me in between shoving blueberries into her face.
Josh stands up, puts his cup in the sink, then comes over and wraps his arms around me, suddenly serious. "I really am proud of you. You know that, right? You've accomplished so much in the last year. This is just the icing on the cake."
"I'm just really glad that Helen's on board with this. I mean, I couldn't ask for a better boss."
"Hey."
"You know what I mean. She's just been so great about the baby, and me finishing school. I mean, being able to work part-time at this level is practically unheard of!"
"You've earned it. You've proven yourself. You are a great Chief of Staff. You delegate well. Your employees respect and admire you. And you finishing your degree is a great human interest story that folds nicely into the "Education President's" message. The stars have aligned, and it couldn't happen to a better person."
"Thanks, honey." Josh's sincere praise and admiration is really all I've ever wanted. Trying to impress him has made me a better person.
As I get Lulu out of her high chair, Josh pours a cup of coffee into his to-go mug. For just a moment, I'm sad that he's not pouring mine. Change is always a little difficult. But I'm really excited about taking classes on campus. It really makes this feel real.
And at least I can still get Lulu ready for the day. "So girly-girl, what color should you wear today?" I ask rhetorically, as I open the drawer to pull out an outfit.
"Blue." She responds without missing a beat. It makes me stop for a moment. Did she really understand my question and give an appropriate response? That doesn't seem likely.
To test her, I pull out two shirts and lay them on the changing table. "Which one do you want?"
"Blue." Lulu says pointing at the correct colored shirt.
"What a clever girl you are!" I tell Lulu before hollering "Josh! C'mere!"
"What?" He asks poking his head in the door.
"Ask Lulu which shirt she wants to wear."
He rolls his eyes at me, but asks her the question anyway.
"Blue" she repeats, starting to squirm.
Josh looks at me in question, wondering why I'm worked up. "We've been working on colors." Then he walks in and holds up the other shirt.
"No, lello, Daddy. Blue." Lulu tells him.
"Yell-ow, Lulu. Yell-ow." Josh patiently repeats the the correct pronunciation.
'Lel-ow." Lulu tries to copy him. I must be standing there with my mouth hanging open because Josh takes Lulu from me and starts to get her dressed in the blue shirt.
"Can you find me some pants and socks? We've got to get going."
"Josh!" I say as I hand him the rest of the outfit. "How many colors does she know?"
"Oh the basics, Red, Blue, Green Yellow, Orange, Purple. That's what's in most of the books."
"Josh. I asked her what color she wanted to wear today and she answered blue before I even showed her any clothes!"
He nods at me like he's waiting for more information.
"Josh. I think Lulu might be advanced."
"Told ya." Is all he says as he picks Lulu up off the changing table. "Is her bag ready? I gotta go."
I hand him the bag, then walk them to the door and give them kisses.
"Mama come?" Lulu asks in confusion.
"Not today, sweetie. Mama has class today. I'll see you when you get home." I tell her, then she and Josh leave.
I head back into Lulu's room and sit down in her big yellow chair. I hadn't really been buying into Josh's belief that Lulu is really smart until now. But I'm starting to get on board. I know she talks better than most 14 month olds, but I just chalk that up to her environment. She's surrounded by verbose people. And some of the route memorization stuff is just probably due to Josh taking the time with her. But still, I'm a little overwhelmed by today's display.
After a few minutes, I head into the kitchen, and pour myself a cup of coffee to drink and a bowl of cereal. It's kind of nice to have the time to just sit her in silence and read the paper and enjoy my breakfast. When I'm done I load the dishwasher. Then wipe the kitchen down, before walking through the house making sure everything's in its place. Josh isn't quite the human whirlwind he was before I trained him, but there usually are a few stray things to put away, and I like to keep the place clean. The every other week maid service works well for us. She takes care of the deep cleaning stuff that I don't have the time for.
I glance at the clock. It's just after 8. I'm not sure what to do with myself until class starts at 9:30. I've got all sorts of nervous energy. Maybe I should go walk around campus again. Make sure I've got the lay of the land so to speak?
I grab my coat and the backpack Josh proudly presented to me the day I registered for my last classes. When I open the door, Jackie looks at her watch. "Leaving early?"
"Yeah. I thought I head over to campus. Maybe stop for Starbucks on the way."
"Okay, let's go."
I'm not thrilled about having any detail at all, but having Jackie with me is a compromise I can live with. I get to drive myself while she rides shotgun. She'll be with me, but she won't be running pre-screens or clearing rooms in advance. She's just there in case someone gets too close. But the University has assured us that not even my professors know that I'm in their class until today, so it shouldn't be an issue.
It feels so good to be driving myself someplace. It's been awhile. Parking is kind of a nightmare, but eventually we find a spot. We swing through the student union and grab coffee. I wish Jackie would take some but by now I know better than to ask while she's on duty.
I chatter at her as we walk through campus but she really doesn't say much. I understand, really but, it would be nice to have a conversation.
We get to class about 20 minutes before it is supposed to start. I'm happy to discover a sitting area nearby, that's already occupied by someone reading what looks to be a class syllabus. Jackie scans the area then takes a spot next to the wall.
"Mind if I sit down?" I ask the back of the head.
"No, go ahead." A nice voice responds distractedly.
I sit and stare at him for a moment. He looks to be in his early twenties. After a minute he looks up.
"Oh. Hi." He seems a little surprised to find someone across from him. He has bright blue eyes and dark hair. He reminds me a little of Sam.
"Hi. What's your next class?" I ask hoping to start a conversation.
"Um, Govt 318- Media and Foreign Policy."
"Me too." I'm excited to already get to meet someone in the class.
"I'm Jordan, by the way." He states, offering his hand.
"Donna." I respond as I shake it.
"Nice to meet you, Donna." He studies me for a minute. "Have we had a class together before?"
"Um, no. I'm a transfer student. And I've been taking online classes. This is actually my first semester on campus."
"Oh." He looks uncertain. "What else do you have?"
"542- Building Democracy after Conflict."
"That's great! I'm in that too."
"Excellent. I'm really looking forward to these classes."
"I'll probably know most everyone in 542. It'll be a lot of seniors. I'll introduce you to everyone. Are you graduating in the spring?"
"Yes. It's only taken me 15 years!" I offer with a shrug.
"Really?" He asks looking at me again. Finally he blurts out, "How old are you?"
"I'm 36."
"NO WAY!"
Well, I gotta say, this is kind of nice. I guess the ponytail, hoodie, jeans and tennies are really doing it for me. Should I tell him I have a one year old?
A few more minutes go by, and another class lets out. People stream through for a few minutes, Jordan waves at several people. And shouts out to a few more. He really does seem to know a lot of people.
Finally the area clears. "We can go in now." He suggests. "Get good seats."
"Good idea." I reply standing up and slinging my new backpack over my shoulder.
As soon as we start forward, Jackie is at my side. Jordan stops. He looks at her, then at me.
"Oh my god. What's your last name?" He asks sheepishly.
"Lyman." I tell him a bit reluctantly. I knew I wasn't going to be able to stay in cognitio, but for a few moments it was nice just to be another student.
"Well. I feel really stupid. A Government Major who didn't recognize the First Lady's Chief of Staff. In my defense, in the pictures I've seen you're usually wearing a suit."
"Hey. It's okay. It was actually really nice. I just want to experience this. I don't really want people to treat me any differently."
"Okay. I can't promise how anyone else will treat you. But to me you're just gonna be Donna. A nice girl I met on the first day of the last semester of school."
"Great! Let's go get seats. Lead the way!"
He grins at me and heads into the lecture hall. I follow, with Jackie on my heels. I'm ready for this adventure, and I've already got a new friend. It's going to be a great semester.
