Disclaimer: The West Wing belongs to Aaron Sorkin et al. No copyright infringement is intended.
Title: "Recess is Over--Torn"
Author: GEM
Rated: T
Author's Note: "The Recess is Over Series is back! This is the sequel to Slip Up. Thanks to Kat for reading this. Please note the rating change for this chapter.
"So, her statement went to the press."
"That's fine. How is your sister?"
"Torn apart."
"Has she heard from the kids?"
"No, Sir."
"Leo, if you call me Sir one more time I'll have you shot. I can do that ya know. We're talking about Josie."
"Yes we are and it seems to me that you…what was it again? Oh, yeah you slept with her, that was it JED."
"I was young and in love."
"Oh, please, you used her to get back at Abbey for Ron."
"You got your way. I had a black eye. Can we not talk about this now?"
"Sure."
"He just up and left with the kids?"
"Yeah, told them they would see her in a couple of days. That they were going to visit his parents."
"She doesn't want to get the police involved?"
"I talked to her about it. I think it's been long enough but she doesn't want it on the front page of every paper. She's afraid he'll run."
"Tough place to be in. If there is anything I can do you'll let me know?"
"Yeah." Leo replied being interrupted by a knock on the side door. Margaret appeared a moment later.
"Excuse me, Leo."
"Yeah."
"Kelly is on the phone for you. She sounds kinda upset." Leo ran into his office and grabbed the phone. "Kel. Calm down and then speak."
Leo could hear her trying to catch her breath on the other end of the line. "Uncle Leo. Come, please. Come get us. I, we want to come home."
"What's going on, Kid?"
Jed stood in the doorway between his and Leo's office. He watched his friend speak to his niece and saw his face go pale.
"Have you talked with your mother?"
"I'm lucky that I'm speaking to you. We're cut off, Uncle Leo. Ivy is terrified. I want to come home." Kelly began to cry again.
"Sssh, Kelly, listen to me. You're gonna come home. You have to be strong for Matt and Ivy."
"He says he wants to talk to Mom. He's gonna call her. Leo, help me, please. Ivy needs you and Mom. I can't do this by myself. He lied to us."
"I'm gonna help you, I promise. Hang in there, Kid. I love you."
"Love you too. Come quick."
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Department of Education Same time.
The phone rang and Amber picked it up. "Secretary McGarry's office"
"Josephine McGarry, please."
"Who's calling?"
" Her husband."
Amber placed the call on hold and walked into Josie's office.
"Secretary McGarry."
"Yes, Amber."
"Line two. It's your husband."
Josie took a deep breath. "Thank you." She picked up the phone. "Where are you?"
"At work. Kelly is taking care of the little ones. You want them back?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"I want a divorce, Jo. I can't have you in D.C. and I can't stay there with you so I can't have you. I need to be here."
"What about the kids? They still love you even if we don't love each other."
"You can have full custody. I don't want to have anything to do with them."
"What is wrong with you?!"
"You made the decision without me! Without us! Be thankful I'm not going after custody and calling you an unfit mother!"
"Oh, please! You knew, the kids knew. We talked about it!"
"Look this just isn't going to work. I want to see you to work out the arrangements!"
"Fine but I want to talk to the kids."
"You can see them when you come down here."
"Kenneth!"
"When you get here, Josephine!"
"Don't threaten me! I want to talk to my kids!"
"And I told you that you could see them when you get here!"
"Kenneth!" There was no answer; the line was dead. Josie slammed the phone down and began to cry.
Amber was outside the office, at her desk trying not to listen in on the conversation that Josie had been having on the phone, but that was impossible. She got up and went into the office. "Ma'am?"
Josie wiped her tears away but was on the verge of losing it again. "Get Leo."
Amber didn't think twice. She went out to her desk and picked up the phone. "Margaret. It's Amber. She needs him now!"
The End Until next time.