Time for Re-evaluation
Keliza
I've never dwelt on the exact definition of our relationship; probably defies that simple kind of categorisation that people love. We have found without conscious thought a contented balance between companionship and professionalism. At least, I had always thought that we had. Whatever the dynamic was, it felt right, it felt comfortable.
I suppose I have always been aware of the hushed rumours about Josh and I; for a while I actually felt quite flattered by them, the idea that people thought I was good enough for somebody like him. However we acted around each other was natural to me at least. The banter that people seemed to pick up on was just our way. He trusts me and in turn I help him to keep all the plates of his responsibilities spinning without crashing spectacularly to the ground.
Yet as I walked out of the Oval Office, my thoughts were swirling themselves into a tornado. I had been talking to the President on a matter of my own responsibility, not that of my boss'. CJ was waiting patiently aside and I wanted to finish my business quickly to allow her to speak to him about what I was sure were much weightier matters than my own. I began explaining my concerns about a special report I had been asked to prepare on critical staffing levels. My pause for breath was filled by the President's random question,
"Are you and Josh dating?"
It was so out of context, I was certain had misheard. "Pardon, sir?"
"Are you and Josh dating?"
"No," I said simply, attempting to formulate a good answer to this.
"Ok, I just thought, you know.the way you two are, the way he's been acting in front of you."
The startled look on my face apparently satisfied him because he signalled for me to continue.
My thoughts scattered, I found myself unable to remember quite what I was saying. He was looking at me expectantly. " I'm afraid you've kinda thrown me off there, sir," I said with a nervous laugh. From the corner of my eye I saw CJ, with an expression I took to be amusement, catch the President's eye. "Well, Donna, I look forward to reading it, I'm sure it'll be fine." I thanked him and left.
As I sit going over everything, my meeting with the President and the last several years of my life, I'm suddenly not sure what I think anymore. Why didn't a clear reason to explain why the idea we might be an item was ridiculous pop into my head, when there were clearly so many. That he has a girlfriend already, who admittedly I don't know that well but from whom I still would not steal a man, for example. Not to mention our relative positions.
Did we really act in such a way that our boss, a man who should really be worrying about more important issues, thought we were together? Did he really act differently when I was around? It might be time to re-evaluate the status quo, but if it isn't broken why fix it? What is it that he thinks he's playing at? It isn't that the idea is so unattractive when I think of it but just what on earth am I meant to do now?
Keliza
I've never dwelt on the exact definition of our relationship; probably defies that simple kind of categorisation that people love. We have found without conscious thought a contented balance between companionship and professionalism. At least, I had always thought that we had. Whatever the dynamic was, it felt right, it felt comfortable.
I suppose I have always been aware of the hushed rumours about Josh and I; for a while I actually felt quite flattered by them, the idea that people thought I was good enough for somebody like him. However we acted around each other was natural to me at least. The banter that people seemed to pick up on was just our way. He trusts me and in turn I help him to keep all the plates of his responsibilities spinning without crashing spectacularly to the ground.
Yet as I walked out of the Oval Office, my thoughts were swirling themselves into a tornado. I had been talking to the President on a matter of my own responsibility, not that of my boss'. CJ was waiting patiently aside and I wanted to finish my business quickly to allow her to speak to him about what I was sure were much weightier matters than my own. I began explaining my concerns about a special report I had been asked to prepare on critical staffing levels. My pause for breath was filled by the President's random question,
"Are you and Josh dating?"
It was so out of context, I was certain had misheard. "Pardon, sir?"
"Are you and Josh dating?"
"No," I said simply, attempting to formulate a good answer to this.
"Ok, I just thought, you know.the way you two are, the way he's been acting in front of you."
The startled look on my face apparently satisfied him because he signalled for me to continue.
My thoughts scattered, I found myself unable to remember quite what I was saying. He was looking at me expectantly. " I'm afraid you've kinda thrown me off there, sir," I said with a nervous laugh. From the corner of my eye I saw CJ, with an expression I took to be amusement, catch the President's eye. "Well, Donna, I look forward to reading it, I'm sure it'll be fine." I thanked him and left.
As I sit going over everything, my meeting with the President and the last several years of my life, I'm suddenly not sure what I think anymore. Why didn't a clear reason to explain why the idea we might be an item was ridiculous pop into my head, when there were clearly so many. That he has a girlfriend already, who admittedly I don't know that well but from whom I still would not steal a man, for example. Not to mention our relative positions.
Did we really act in such a way that our boss, a man who should really be worrying about more important issues, thought we were together? Did he really act differently when I was around? It might be time to re-evaluate the status quo, but if it isn't broken why fix it? What is it that he thinks he's playing at? It isn't that the idea is so unattractive when I think of it but just what on earth am I meant to do now?