A Change of Scenery - Getting There


TO: donnaandjosh4eva...

FROM: t.ziegler...

SUBJECT: the house

DATE: Thu 16 Dec 10:42:34 -0500

Hi Donna!

You weren't kidding with the cleaning, were you? The old lady was here, gave me the keys and then left. Never in my life have I seen (and smell) a house this clean.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you. The kids will be over soon, and I want to make dinner for them. And if Josh snickers, Donna, feel free to whack him like you and CJ used to do.

Greetings,

Toby


TO: donnaandjosh4eva...

FROM: ainsley.hayes...

SUBJECT: RE: RE:

DATE: Thu 16 Dec 13:34:45 -0500

Hi Donna!

Thank you for your kind words and also for the wreath, they meant a lot to me. The service was nice, everything was perfect. I'm still in North Carolina but I'll leave soon. My father left me a house somewhere in New England and I want to see it myself. I'll probably spend the Christmas there, although my sister insists that I stay. I don't want to, you were right, I need some alone time to think, to heal and to relax. I don't really remember the last time I was on vacation.

Anyway, thank you for your kindness and I'm looking forward to see those pictures.

Hugs,

Ainsley


TO: donnaandjosh4eva...

FROM: s.seaborn...

SUBJECT: don't worry

DATE: Thu 16 Dec 18:22:12 -0500

Hey Donna!

Sorry for not answering your email sooner, but I didn't have the time. I told Josh to tell you not to worry too much about me. He said I had no clue. Donna, you are such a good friend, but you have a family to worry about, you don't need my shit.

I promise I'll drop by at CJ's once I get there, which I still don't know when it will be. Seattle was okay, I'm now in San Diego. You know the last time I was here? Of course, you know. You always know everything.

Give my hugs to Hannah,

Sam


TO: donnaandjosh4eva...

FROM: a.wyatt...

SUBJECT: connecticut

DATE: Thu 16 Dec 19:56:44 -0500

Hello Donna!

Toby gave me your address, I hope it's okay. I didn't want to use the .gov-addresses for this.

Thank you for offering him the house and thank you for telling him that he can have the kids over. I'll leave them there until Christmas and then head home to my mother's. The house is really gorgeous; I bet you'd like to spend Christmas there.

Toby says that according to you Sam's okay. Is that really so? I was so worried about him last year. He was so drunk when Josh came to collect him. I know I would have gone crazy if something happened to Huck and Molly, so I understand his pain, but he wasn't Sam in that bar, Donna, he just wasn't Sam. Toby is just as worried, but you know how thickheaded he is, he wouldn't call Sam. If you talk to him, tell him that both Toby and I thinking of him.

Thank you again,

Andie



TO: cj69...

FROM: donnaandjosh4eva...

SUBJECT: where are you?

DATE: Thu 16 Dec 20:42:34 -0500

Hey CJ!

I haven't heard from you in the last two days, please pick up the phone or write an email. I'm so worried about you. I know that you are a grown-up woman, but that's what friends and family are for. I mean to worry about you when you are not feeling okay. Did you get the flowers? Believe it or not, it was Josh's idea. I guess he is a closet romantic. ;)

Please, CJ, just give a sign that you are… you know, still hanging on in there.

Thanks and hugs,

Donna


TO: s.seaborn...

FROM: donnaandjosh4eva...

SUBJECT: RE: don't worry

DATE: Thu 16 Dec 20:47:56 -0500

Hi Sam!

Exactly, I have a family to worry about and the family includes you, too. I really don't need to tell you that, now, do I? And of course I know when you were the last time in San Diego. It seems a lifetime ago, doesn't it?

Sam, are you really okay? I mean I don't really like the whole idea of you on the West Coast and us on the East Coast. I know that you'll meet your mom later, but I still think you should have stayed with us for Christmas. I know it must be painful for you seeing Hannah and Josh together, but Sam… I miss you so much. I really-really miss you. And Josh misses you too. Although he wouldn't admit that. He would say a manly man wouldn't admit his feelings. Well, you should hear him how many times he says 'love you' to the little one.

Sam, if you want, please come home. I'll make the guest room ready for you, okay?

Andie and Toby are sending their greetings, and I'm sending you hugs and kisses,

Donna


TO: ainsley.hayes...

FROM: donnaandjosh4eva...

SUBJECT: New England

DATE: Thu 16 Dec 21:05:11 -0500

Hi Ainsley!

First of all, my deepest condolences. I still remember how devastated Josh was when his father passed away, and I'm still missing Leo, he was like a father to all of us.

A house in New England? Where exactly? We have one in Connecticut, not that we have many chances to actually spend some time there, but it's nice to know that we have a place where we can retreat when it's getting too much. If you don't need the money, I suggest you keep the house for the same reason. It really is… I don't know… The knowledge alone that you have it gives you a sense of tranquility. But maybe it's just me. And you can always rent it out.

Call me or send me an email if you need something, both Josh and I are here for you, Ainsley.

Hugs,

Donna


TO: a.wyatt...

FROM: donnaandjosh4eva...

SUBJECT: RE: connecticut

DATE: Thu 16 Dec 20:42:34 -0500

Hi Andie!

Thank you for your kind words, I relayed them to Sam.

I offered the house to Toby many times this year, I really was surprised that he wanted it for Christmas. It's really a great place, and you are right I'd like to spend Christmas there, but not while Josh has a country to run. He could be ordered back, and then I would be there alone with Hannah. Not a cheery prospect, I have to tell you.

Okay, I hear my daughter, so I guess we'll see you at the Congressional party later, right? You are coming, I hope. For the first time in many years Yo Yo Ma is playing again, and I simply love him!

Hugs,

Donna

TBC