Summary: Reflections of the past month that didn't get shared during the Holiday weekend.
November 25, 2001
Dear Dad,
The President yaked my ear off on Wednesday about turkey stuffing and all the correct spices
to use when cooking turkey, but of course you already know about it. I really wish we could
have spent more time together this weekend. There is the dinner that I never did tell you
about. Danny gave me flowers at dinner. Actually he gave me two roses, one yellow and one
white.
The dinner was better than I thought it would be. I waited a full week before telling him
that I lost the bet. You should have seen his face, Dad. He looked like a kid that had been
told Christmas would be three weeks long. The dinner itself surprised me. We went to
someplace that neither of us had gone to before. He behaved himself; not once did he bring
up anything too personal. Sometimes I'm amazed at just how well he does know me. We talked
for hours about nothing in general and friendships in particular.
As we parted ways at the door I asked him why he chose the colors he did. He just gave me
that half smile of his and said that he didn't think red suited the theme of the night.
Before I could ask him what the theme was, he touched my hand gently and wished me a safe
trip home, and then turned to leave.
It took me until tonight to realize what he had meant by 'the theme of the night'. The theme
was friendship, nothing more and nothing less. In his own way he let me know that he forgave
me for what happened in the Oval Office a year ago and that he wanted me to be part of his
life, even if it was only as a friend.
In a way that scares me. We were getting close for a while, then we had to take several
steps back, and now it's like we are starting all over. I'm afraid that I will do something
that will damage our rapport in the professional arena.
Well, I had better leave it at that or you and mom will be on the first flight out to see
what's wrong with me. Don't worry about Danny and me; everything will sort itself out. You
know me, I'm the consummate worrier of the family. Tell mom I love her and the leftovers she
sent with me will keep me fed for the next week.
Love always,
Claudia
November 25, 2001
Dear Dad,
The President yaked my ear off on Wednesday about turkey stuffing and all the correct spices
to use when cooking turkey, but of course you already know about it. I really wish we could
have spent more time together this weekend. There is the dinner that I never did tell you
about. Danny gave me flowers at dinner. Actually he gave me two roses, one yellow and one
white.
The dinner was better than I thought it would be. I waited a full week before telling him
that I lost the bet. You should have seen his face, Dad. He looked like a kid that had been
told Christmas would be three weeks long. The dinner itself surprised me. We went to
someplace that neither of us had gone to before. He behaved himself; not once did he bring
up anything too personal. Sometimes I'm amazed at just how well he does know me. We talked
for hours about nothing in general and friendships in particular.
As we parted ways at the door I asked him why he chose the colors he did. He just gave me
that half smile of his and said that he didn't think red suited the theme of the night.
Before I could ask him what the theme was, he touched my hand gently and wished me a safe
trip home, and then turned to leave.
It took me until tonight to realize what he had meant by 'the theme of the night'. The theme
was friendship, nothing more and nothing less. In his own way he let me know that he forgave
me for what happened in the Oval Office a year ago and that he wanted me to be part of his
life, even if it was only as a friend.
In a way that scares me. We were getting close for a while, then we had to take several
steps back, and now it's like we are starting all over. I'm afraid that I will do something
that will damage our rapport in the professional arena.
Well, I had better leave it at that or you and mom will be on the first flight out to see
what's wrong with me. Don't worry about Danny and me; everything will sort itself out. You
know me, I'm the consummate worrier of the family. Tell mom I love her and the leftovers she
sent with me will keep me fed for the next week.
Love always,
Claudia