I'm surprised that Donna wants to cancel on her parents and go visit my Mom instead. We just saw my Mom and she'd totally agree that we should go see Donna's parents. This seems like an easy decision.
I take a few minutes to think through what I know about Donna & her parents, and I suddenly realize its not much.
I know her Dad is Irish and her Mom is Italian. I met them for a few minutes during a campaign stop during the second election. They seemed like nice people. Donna's mom came to Germany but we didn't spend much time together. I had felt so bad for sending Donna to Gaza I didn't even know what to say to her Mom. She seemed to find Colin fairly charming, and they spent quite a bit of time together before he left. Shortly after her Mom arrived, Leo said he needed me back at work. I figured I'd see her more when Donna came home, but her Mom hadn't come back to Washington with her.
Maybe her parents really hate me. I mean- I'm Donna's slaving-driving boss that kept her from coming home for visits and I sent her on a trip that almost got her killed. Ditching them again doesn't really sound like a good way to try to change their opinion.
One thing I have learned this past year is that just because I think I've figured out what's bothering Donna doesn't mean I actually have. The other thing I've learned is that my plans tend to work out a lot better when I include Donna in the planning part. So I ask her-
"Do your parents really hate me? Is that why you don't want to go home?"
Donna looks me right in the eye and says-
"Home is where you are." My heart swells. Then she sighs and says-
" And Josh, it's not you they don't like." And my heart breaks. How can anyone not like Donna? Especially her own parents?
My eyes narrow. Maybe I should just give these people a call.
"Give me the phone."
