Part 7
"Hello," A groggy voice answered after the fifth ring.
"Sam?" Toby asked confused. "What are you doing?"
"Sleeping, like a normal person would at this hour. Who is this?"
"Who do you think it is?" Toby snapped.
"Oh, hey," Sam sat up. "You made it."
"Yeah, I was going to call earlier, but we just went straight to CJ's house."
"How is she?"
"She's good. I think being with her family will help her."
"Where are you?"
"At a hotel about five miles away."
"You didn't stay with her?"
"I'm just sleeping here. Besides, there's no room at the house, everyone's there."
"Yeah. How did you talk her into letting you go with her?"
"I'm persuasive, Sam."
"Okay," Sam said unconvinced.
"Anything happen?"
"You've been gone one day."
"Sam, I bumped you up to Communications Director, it's freaking me out," Toby moaned.
"It's fine. Josh tried to do the briefing, but Leo tackled him down before he got in."
"Thank God for Leo," Toby yawned.
"Get some sleep," Sam said.
"I will, I just need to finish…"
"Toby, take time off here. I've got everything under control. Just concentrate on being there for CJ. Don't worry about work."
"What, like a vacation?"
"Well, a funeral is hardly a vacation, but yeah."
"I've never taken a vacation."
"Well, now here's your chance to start."
"Sam…"
"Toby, sleep. Wake up in the morning, spend the day with CJ and don't think about work."
"Yeah."
"I mean it. Look, if something happens that I can't handle, I'll call you. But it should be fine."
"Fine," Toby whimpered.
"Tell her we're thinking about her."
"I will," Toby smiled. "Oh, and Sam."
"Yeah?"
"Don't laugh, but tomorrow…Well, I guess it's today now, but its Ginger's birthday. Can you swing by and get her some flowers and some candy? I forgot to get them before I left."
"Are you serious?" Sam smirked.
"Yes. I always get her something once a year for her birthday. It's the boss in me, okay?"
"I'll take care of it."
"Also, let her off early. I always do that too."
"Got it."
"Thanks Sam."
"Toby."
"What?"
"Sleep."
"I'm going," Toby moaned and hung up the phone. He looked over at his desktop. He knew there were things to be done, but he thought Sam had the ability to get it done himself. Toby tossed his phone on the chair and laid down. He looked up at the ceiling and found himself, for the first time in a long while, relaxed. It felt good. He shut his eyes, and before he knew it he was fast asleep.
TBC