Originally sent June 22, 2000
The Politics of Poetry - 4/10
Josh came back from lunch to find reports, memos and letters typed by Donna on his desk. He wasn't ready to deal with the fruits of her frantic pace. He wandered out to her empty desk and noticed another flower arrangement on it. It was large and as near as Josh could tell from peering around it, it was without a card.
"No way this is from Wally.", he thought. "His mother wouldn't advance him this much of his allowance." It still had the green florist's paper around it so Donna couldn't have stashed a card. "Curiouser and curiouser.", Josh decided.
The Deputy Chief of Staff shrugged and went in search of Sam. Maybe he would be willing to work late and then grab a drink. As he passed C.J.'s office Josh noticed it was empty. More proof it was a bizarre day. C.J. rarely went out to lunch. She was usually stuck at her desk eating out of a take out container and dealing with endless paperwork.
Sam was at his desk but not engrossed in reports, the lap top or a phone call. The paper commanding his attention was of the wrapping variety. Josh saw that Sam was one of those, a meticulous present unwrapper. It was an excruciating process to watch. Sam carefully slit the tape, eased paper out of its folds and then peeled it back. "You must still be opening birthday presents from the current birthday when the next one rolls around."
"Josh, if someone takes the time to wrap it so nicely, it should be treated with respect."
"Mallory will be pleased, though I figured she'd just drop off something in person."
"It's not from Mallory." Sam slid the box out of the paper and opened it to pull out a tie. "Interesting." It had very small burgundy hearts with wings on it. Sam and Josh stared at it and then at each other.
Josh found his voice first. "You'll have to wear it to make Cathy happy. Trust me, it's for your own good." His brush with Donna's wrath was still fresh in his mind.
Sam started to take off the tie he'd worn to work. "It's not from Cathy, Josh. I'll wear it, it's, it's...", he paused searching for the right word, "...it's whimsical."
"Okay." The light dawned for Josh. "Wait, it's from Laurie? You're wearing a tie a hooker bought you?"
"She's a call girl. But more importantly she's my friend."
"I can't believe she sent that here. All we need is for her return address to be traced."
"It was sent from the store, Josh. It's not a big deal."
"Right. Let's mention it to C.J. or Mallory and see what they think."
"What did you need Josh?" Sam's voice was showing traces of impatience.
"I'm here to save you from yourself and it's obvious you need that. Thought we'd make some plans for later."
"We do have plans for later. The President wants us at the party if not the play too."
"Great, after that we get some work done and then we go out on the town."
"No. Even greater, I leave early and I take Mallory out. And I think she'll be very pleased with me."
"Not if she sees that tie."
**********
The woman in question was flying through the halls of the West Wing. Mallory O'Brien had left her aide and a student teacher with her class. She had deliveries to make before heading back to supervise the Valentine's party for her kids.
Her first stop was her father's office. Mallory knew today was tough for him. No matter where he was or what he was doing, he always remembered Valentine's Day. Leo hadn't changed this year. Mallory's mother told her he'd sent flowers, the usual pink roses. They were her favorites.
Margaret was away from her desk so Mallory just tapped on the door. Leo looked up from a phone call and his face lit up with a smile. He waved her in. She came around the desk to give him a kiss. He put an arm around her waist and ended the call quickly. "Senator, I'll get back to you. My daughter is her and I think she wants me to be her Valentine."
Leo hung up and stood to give her a fierce hug. "Hello, Baby."
"Hi, Dad. One of the heavy hitters?"
"Just some Junior Senator. But for you I'd hang up on the Senate Majority Leader. How'd you get away?"
"Negotiated a break."
"That's my girl."
"But it's a short one. So, here's the book for Margaret. You have time to write something in it. Then just put it in this gift bag." Leo looked at the antique book about English Cottage Gardens and flower arranging. It was in good condition. "She'll love it Dad. It's a very nice first edition."
"I hope so." Leo pulled a card of out his desk drawer. Then he opened the book to inscribe it using the card as a guide.
"What did you settle on Dad?"
"An old favorite from William Wordsworth.
'Dreams, books, are each a world; and books we know,
Are a substantial world, both pure and good:
Round these, with tendrils strong as flesh and blood,
Our pastime and our happiness will grow.'"
"Why the card Dad? You know it by heart."
"I don't like to leave anything to chance Mallory."
"Me either. So thanks for the flowers."
"How did you know I sent flowers? Have you been home?"
"No but I talked to Mom. When she said you'd sent pink roses, I knew there would be a vase of miniature pink roses waiting for me."
"No matter what, you're still my daughter, of course I'd send flowers. Glad your Mom got hers okay." It took all of Leo's resolve not to ask if his estranged wife had liked them. Mallory knew this and resisted telling him the flowers left Jenny torn between happiness and heartache.
"Daddy, I have something for you."
"Mal, I'm wearing the tie."
"That was last year. Something different this time around." She handed him two boxes.
Leo opened one to find cologne, his old standby. The other box held silk boxer shorts. "Mallory!", he was shocked.
"Dad, time you shake up your image. You'll love the way these feel. I saw them at this store I was in, it was an impulse."
"Obviously you need to learn to control your impulses, young lady."
"Speaking of learning, I've got to go. I want to stop and see Sam before I head back to school."
Leo just grunted over that. But he favored Mallory with another hug and kiss. "Baby, thanks for picking up Margaret's gift and thanks for mine, I think."
"You're still my favorite Valentine, Daddy." She hurried out and Leo was moving back to his desk secure he'd done at least something right. His little girl was amazing.
***********
Josh was trying to leave Sam's office. But he kept pulling himself back in to give advice. It was advice Sam didn't want. He not only wore the tie that Laurie sent, he was trying to come up with an appropriate thank you.
Josh had already prevented him from calling her. "White House phone logs"; e-mailing her, "E-mails can be tracked too."; ordering flowers, "Credit cards leave trails."
A frustrated Sam pulled open a desk drawer and then slammed the drawer shut. "Does a written thank you note offend the morality police?"
He was starting to scrawl when Josh retorted, "No, as long as it's not on White House stationery."
Sam looked up and crumpled the paper. "This is ridiculous Josh."
"No, it's not Sam. Of course, if you think I'm unreasonable, I could ask C.J. to step in and give us a second opinion."
"No thanks. I guess you're right. At least I have something special. I found a poem called 'Rose Cheeked Laura'. I'll include a little of this in a note on plain old paper.
'Rose-cheeked Laura come,
Sing thou smoothly with beauty's
Silent music, either other
Sweetly gracing.'
That should wow her. She'll think I went to a lot of trouble."
"Did you?"
"Not really. I was looking for something to quote to Mallory and noticed this. But hey, what they don't know, doesn't hurt me."
"Fair point." Josh took his leave and did make it to the hall this time. He'd headed away from Sam's office when he bumped into Mallory. "Hey, good lookin'."
"Hello yourself gorgeous. Happy Valentine's Day Josh." She reached up to give him a hug.
"The same to you I guess. How come you're not molding young minds?"
"Worked out a break so I could see my father and drop off something for Sam. Is he in?" She held up a small lavender paisley shopping bag.
"Doesn't look like his color? I hear you two have plans." Josh was walking with her back towards Sam's office. Josh knew he had to give Sam the high sign in some way. "So Mallory, wouldn't you rather go out with one of the Top Five Hottest Heartthrobs in the Country?" Josh raised his voice enough for Sam to hear or so he hoped.
It was raised enough to raise an eyebrow on Mallory's face. "And who would that be?" Josh pretended to be hurt and pointed to himself. Mallory laughed. "I know you would show me a good time. But Josh, haven't I given my Dad enough gray hair for one year?"
"Very true." He'd walked her back to Sam's office and had Mallory facing him, her back to Sam. Josh noticed Sam coming up from under the desk and rubbing his head after banging it. "Typical Sam.", Josh thought.
Mallory turned to call to Sam but he was on his feet. "Mallory, what a treat. I didn't think I'd see you until later."
"I thought I'd surprise you."
"Oh. You did."
"Good thing I stopped, where did you get that hideous tie?"
"This?", Sam grabbed at the tie and at straws. "Well, it's one of those gag things, I've had it-awhile."
"Nice save." Josh applauded silently.
Mallory looked at the tie with disdain. "I agree, it's enough to make you gag." She pulled a tie box out of the small shopping bag. "Here I think you'll like this better."
"I'm sure I will." He opened it and pulled out a red silk tie. It was very simple and understated. "Let me change into this. Thank you Mallory, it's very nice." He pulled her into a hug and mouthed a "Thank you" to Josh.
"You can wear it when we go to dinner tonight."
"Yes, I will. It's much more appropriate for my date with you."
Mallory said, "I almost forgot." She launched herself at Sam and gave him a long, hard kiss.
"Well I'm glad you didn't forget whatever brought that on.", a staggered Sam told her.
"Your surprise was wonderful and my kids are making you combination Valentine/Thank You cards." Sam just grinned.
"What did he do?" Josh was starting to think he might have to take some romantic pointers from Sam.
"He sent me this beautiful arrangement of flowers. But that wasn't the best part. The delivery guy does magic and makes balloon animals. Sam arranged for him to entertain my kids. By the way, they want you to come visit soon."
"Okay, but I'm not near as talented as my messenger." Sam had an arm around Mallory's shoulders.
Josh knew a cue when he saw one. "I'm going to be going unless you plan to throw him over for me."
Mallory stepped from Sam's clasp up to Josh. She threw her arms around his neck. She kissed him and told him, "I'll keep you as a reserve if he doesn't meet the challenge." Josh hugged her back knowing she was good for his dorky friend.
(TO BE CONTINUED)