Chapter 2 - Coping Without
Donna
"Josh, it's two a.m."
"Donna, I know what time it is now just get me the file." I got up and almost tripped over Ryan.
"Josh, Ryan is asleep on your floor." I stepped over him.
"What? I thought he left."
"Well he didn't. He's asleep on your floor."
"How can he sleep with all your bickering."
"The same way he can sleep through all your bickering." I snapped back and walked out of the office to get yet another file on Senator Russell. I walked back into the office and Ryan was sitting in a chair rubbing his head.
"Go home Ryan."
"Thank you." He said and stood up.
"Wait a minute, Pierce you're my intern, I will tell you when to go home." Josh interjected. I physically pushed Ryan out of Josh's office and shut the door telling him not to listen to the grumpy man with the coffee stain on his shirt.
"Donna!"
"Josh!"
"He's my intern, not yours."
"He was asleep."
"It builds character."
"Josh, get a grip and let's get back to vetting Bingo Bob." I dismissed him and he leaned back in his chair exhausted.
"How 'bout some coffee?" He asked.
"That'd be great, two sugars and on cream for me." I said without looking up from the file. He took a deep breath and then stood up and left the office. When he returned with coffee he commented on how, usually assistants get coffee for their bosses.
"That sounds great, too bad I sent Ryan home, he could have gotten me the coffee." I countered.
"By the way, be careful around him." Josh raised his eyebrows a bit and smirked.
"Yeah, those Ivy Leaguers are dangerous." I laughed.
"I'm serious, I think he has a crush on you."
"Right." I blew him off.
"Donna, it's not impossible to imagine. Older woman, coworker. You know how that goes."
"Actually I don't Josh, tell me how it goes." I teased.
"I'm just saying be careful around him. He's got hormones bursting out of his shaggy head."
"Josh I would never . ."
"I know, but I don't want you breakin' his heart like you do everybody else's around here." He smiled and I couldn't help but smile too.
Josh
"Till what time last night?" Leo asked me. Still not quite coherent since I'd gotten only a couple hours worth of sleep.
"About two. What did his dad say?"
"You don't want to know."
"Leo, this is stupid. He's my intern, it's what interns do, they stay late they do shit work and they don't get paid. I went through it, so did you, you know back in the day."
"Josh."
"Like way back in the day."
"Josh, I'm not reprimanding you, I'm just saying his dad called so take care of it yourself, I don't want another phone call."
"Okay." I turned to leave Leo's office.
"There's another thing." He called me back.
"What?"
"Josh, I know that you and Donna are close . . ."
"Oh my God! Not this again. She's my assistant! She assists and that's all! Did you and Amy drink the same Kool-aid?" I threw my hands in the air in frustration. And took a seat on the couch. Leo came around and sat in the chair next to me unphased.
"Josh, whatever problems you have with Amy are unrelated and completely boring to me right now." I looked at him questioningly.
"Deborah is retiring to Florida with her sister next month." He said and I suddenly knew where this was headed.
"No."
"The President told her she could choose her replacement and after conferring with Charlie . ."
"No Leo." I stood up and so did he. The height advantage doesn't do much for me when he's my boss and the President of the United States' best friend.
"They've agreed to ask Donna to replace her."
"Leo, I said no!"
"The President also wants her."
"Tell him to find his own secretary."
"Josh, it's her call."
"No. Donna found me, she won't want to transfer. Out of everyone in the New Hampshire office she picked me to try and weasel a job out of. Not Toby, not Sam, Not C.J. not you, but me! And definitely not the President!" Uh-oh. It never ends well when I raise my voice to Leo.
"Josh." He said calmly. "The President likes her, he's comfortable with her, Deborah likes her, and you know how that woman is! She doesn't like me!"
"Yeah, well, right now I can see her point! Why not Margaret?"
"Are you kidding Josh? I took her out of the running right away." Selfish Bastard!
"What about Ginger or Bonnie or Kathy or about a hundred other assistants?!? Why Donna?" I was at the end of my rope here.
"They're asking her right now." My eyes almost popped out of my head and I opened the door to the President's office to see Donna shaking the President's hand and smiling. She turned and looked at me with a brightness on her face that was unbearable to me. Then she ran up to me and threw her arms around my neck and hugged me. I couldn't help but hug her back. She pulled away quickly and faced me.
"Can you believe it!?" she squealed.
"I'm speechless." She quickly turned away and shook Leo's hand as he walked in, thanking him and then she left to go thank Deborah and Charlie. After she was out of the room I looked at the President.
"Josh, I assume you have some choice words for me?" He smiled slightly.
"Sir, congratulations, you just got yourself one of the best people in the world." Was all I could say and then I turned and walked out through Leo's office.
Donna
"These are the ones that get a second interview, and these are the ones that don't." I handed two stacks of folders to Ryan.
"Only three are getting a second interview?" He said as tried the balance the much larger stack against the small one.
"Josh is very picky Ryan, have you learned nothing about him in the two months you've been here?" I chided him.
"But he isn't even conducting the first interviews, you are. And I swear I heard you ask one woman if she would dye her hair red." He replied.
"I think that Josh needs a change from my blonde hair, that's all."
"He's not going to mix you up with some other blonde Donna." Ryan rolled he eyes.
"Ryan, just do the call backs to the three who are getting second interviews." I sighed. Josh opened the door to his office and motioned for me to come in. I'm surprised he didn't yell this time. He acts as if he thinks this promotion is great, but I know he's pissed. He's been incredibly short with me the past two weeks. But what can I do? The President asked me to serve. I walk quickly into Josh's office and lay down his afternoon schedule. He picked it up and looked at it. I braced myself for what was coming.
"Why do I have Karl Porter on here? And a dentist appointment? And an eye exam? Donna what the hell is this?" He asked right away. I closed his door and faced him.
"Josh you've been putting off Porter for too long, he's Russell's chief of staff and he just wants, like, a half hour." He rubbed his head in frustration with me.
"The dentist? The eye doctor? What are those about?" He asked.
"My replacement isn't going to know right off the bat how badly you take care of yourself so I thought we could get these out of the way before I leave and before I have to start training someone."
"How's the search coming?"
"Good, I have three coming back for second interviews."
"Do I get to sit in on those ones?"
"If you want."
"Is there a swimsuit portion of the interview, because I'd definitely show up for that part."
"Be ready for the eye doctor at two. I'm going to drive you there and back. Okay."
"Fine."
Josh
"UHHH!!" I moaned.
"Josh?"
"Uhhhhhh!"
"Do you want me to take you home to lie down?"
"I hate you right now and if you weren't quitting, I'd fire you."
"Josh, he just dilated your eyes."
"The light hurts Donna, shut off the sun."
"I'm taking you home, you can lie down for a bit."
"Uhhhhhhhhh!!!"
"Josh!"
"I'm in pain!!" I try to reiterate. She pulls into my drive and helps me out of the car and up the steps to my apartment. I can't believe I went to the eye doctor! I hate this! Every bit of light is blinding! I collapse on my couch and pull a blanket over my eyes.
"Josh, I'll make some coffee."
"Turn off the lights."
"They are off."
"Are you sure because it feels like I'm at Met stadium!"
"Well close your eyes under that blanket."
"Okay." I could hear her stir around the kitchen getting some coffee going.
"Did you tell your folks about the job?" It was the first time I had brought it up since she was offered it.
"Yeah, they were over the moon!" she called from the kitchen.
"That's great."
"It won't be so bad for you, you know."
"What?" I asked.
"It won't be so bad for you. I'm gonna get you a great replacement and you won't miss a beat."
"Why don't you just get a great replacement for the President and then I definitely won't miss a beat."
"Josh."
"Just kidding, Donna. I think it's great."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Are you lying?"
"Yeah."
"Okay."
We sat in silence for a while, then she brought me some coffee and I sat up on the couch. The impending separation of JoshandDonna was looming. Two weeks and she'd be out of my office.
"It's not like I'm really quitting, just transferring."
"Yeah, and it's not like we won't still see each other, I'm in the Oval Office at least four times a day anyway." I agreed. We both smiled and then just drank our coffee silently.
Donna
"Hey!" Josh said to me and I turned around. It's 7:30 on my last Friday in Josh's office and it's been a crazy long week training Rose, my replacement and training with Debra. Josh has flowers in his hands.
"Hey."
"Is that lady gone?"
"Rose, Josh. Her name is Rose and yes I sent her home for the day."
"I got you roses." He smiled, very proud of himself. I smiled back, he really is sweet when he wants to be.
"Thank you." He handed them to me and I put them on my desk.
"And you and I are goin' to dinner!"
"Okay." I smiled.
We left the West Wing and drove to an Italian restaurant and there were reservations waiting for us. I can't believe this. It's such a surprise from Josh.
"This is great Josh, thank you."
"Well you deserve a proper send off Donna." He smiled and poured us both some wine.
"You are going to try and be nice to Rose aren't you?" I asked.
"Rose who?"
"Josh."
"I'll be nice."
"Because she's really good."
"Yeah, whatever. You're leaving me alone with Pierce and that lady. How can you sleep at night."
"By knowing that I'm leaving you alone with Ryan and Rose." I smiled and sipped my wine. "What's going on with Amy?" I asked cautiously. She's been noticeably absent from Josh's office lately.
"Nothing. She decided we shouldn't get back together and I agreed. It was all very amicable." He stared down at the menu.
"Oh, well all I meant was that she hasn't been in to see you in a while."
"She's going straight to Leo these days, apparently, he's better at dealing with her." I smiled at that comment. "What?" He saw my smile. I looked down at the menu.
Josh
"What's that look for?" I asked Donna as she tried to suppress a grin and concentrate on the menu.
"Just thinking about how horrible you are at dealing with women." She mused.
"What? Women love me! I'm adored by women! I practically have a harem!" I pointed out.
"Those are assorted fans and stalkers Josh, I don't think they qualify as a harem."
"I don't think you get to be the one that makes that decision."
"Women fluster you. It happened with Joey Lucas, with Amy . . ."
"I deal with you and C.J. all day every day."
"No Josh. We deal with you."
"Donna."
"Josh, just order."
"Okay."
After dinner I drove her to her apartment and walked her up the steps.
"Do you need me tomorrow?" She asked.
"Donna, I need you everyday." I said. Damn, I think I drank more wine that I should have. But I only had two glasses.
"Josh. Please." She put her head down and stared at her feet.
"What?" I asked softly. It somehow felt different standing there on her stoop. Different than the other times.
"Don't make this harder than it already is. I know you think that I'm deserting you and picking the President over you, but that's not how it is." She looked up and I could see tears in her eyes. My heart suddenly ached and I felt like shit because of I had treated her this past month.
"I know." I tried to smile and she laughed at my effort.
"You want some coffee? I've heard that some assistants get their bosses coffee." She gestured to her apartment upstairs.
"Who is spreading that ugly rumor?" I smirked and followed her upstairs.
"When did Jodi move out?" I asked as I took a seat on her countertop.
"Two weeks ago." She started the coffee and then pulled out a small ice cream carton from the fridge and pulled two spoons from the drying rack. She hopped onto the counter beside me and handed me a spoon.
"Lonely?" I asked as I dug into the Cherry Garcia ice cream.
"I'm always at work anyways. I hardly ever saw her. At least there's no more cat hair to worry about." She smiled.
"This morning Pierce tried to hit on C.J." I smiled.
"Shut up!" Donna exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah, she smacked him down hard. I thought he was gonna cry."
"Damn, and I thought I was his one true love." She joked. We both laughed.
"We're having a moment here Josh." She stated and smiled. I nodded in agreement.
"And we'll have plenty more." She said and shoved me lightly and I smiled.
"Yeah, I know. You're a hard woman to get over Donnatella Moss. But I will survive." She hopped off the counter and fixed our coffee.
Donna
I tried to calmly fix my desk and steady my hand to write in the President's appointment book but I couldn't help but be a little nervous.
"Good morning Donna." The President said cheerfully as he strode into the office through the French doors from the balcony.
"Good morning Mr. President." I replied and I stepped into his office and handed him is morning schedule. I greeted Charlie as he came in and then we both left the Oval office.
"Good morning Donna." C.J., Will, and Toby all greeted me as they walked into the Oval Office for the daily Senior Staff Meeting. Josh walked by and sort of smiled then rushed in to join them.
"Did you have a good weekend?" Charlie asked as we traded notes on appointments after they closed the door to the Oval office.
"It was unusually quiet because I didn't work. How was your trip to Manchester? How's Zoey doing?"
"Better everyday. The trip was okay." He smiled knowingly. I knew he meant that there was still some animosity between the President and the First Lady. He sat down and we both continued to work quietly.
Josh
"Thank you sir." I said as the President adjourned our morning meeting. I walked out of the office after everyone and almost ran into Donna coming in.
"Sorry." I mumbled.
"This might take some getting used too, huh?" She tried to sound upbeat. I just put my head down and rushed out of the office.
"Josh, I need you in a meeting today with Hannelly's Chief of Staff." Toby popped his head into my office.
"Okay. Check with Donna." I said distracted and then I caught myself. "Rose, let me ask Rose." Toby just stood there looking at me. "It's not like he's better looking than I am. I mean he's Presidential but not better looking right?" Toby continued to just stare. "Sense of duty, my ass!" I got up and brushed past Toby into my bullpen.
"Rose, today's schedule please." The petite brunette handed me a piece of paper. "Toby, what time?"
"Two." He answered
"Okay. Cancel this and move that back and put me down for a meeting on the Hill at two." I instructed and went to my office and shut the door. A few minutes later came a knock.
"Hey." It was C.J., she came and sat on my couch.
"Yeah."
"I got a question about whether the First Lady would be canceling all her engagements this month or if she would keep some of the important trips like Russia."
"Ask Amy." Was my answer.
"I need you to talk her into getting the First Lady to keep Russia and Bejing on her schedule."
"Get Leo to do it."
"Leo won't get near the First Lady with a ten foot pole right now. Quit trying to hand it off and do it Josh." She insisted.
"Fine."
"Josh."
"I said fine."
"Donna looked great this morning." A shooting pain hit my forehead.
"Yeah." I responded.
"I know it's not easy to get used to someone new Josh, but it's also not impossible."
"Do you think there is a specific reason she left me?" I asked suddenly.
"She transferred because the President asked." C.J. stressed the transferred.
"Yeah, but do you think she was unhappy with me?" I pressed.
"Josh, the President asked. If he hadn't then she would have been perfectly happy here with you. She didn't leave you, she's just down the hall." C.J. left.
Donna
"Josh, it's two a.m."
"Donna, I know what time it is now just get me the file." I got up and almost tripped over Ryan.
"Josh, Ryan is asleep on your floor." I stepped over him.
"What? I thought he left."
"Well he didn't. He's asleep on your floor."
"How can he sleep with all your bickering."
"The same way he can sleep through all your bickering." I snapped back and walked out of the office to get yet another file on Senator Russell. I walked back into the office and Ryan was sitting in a chair rubbing his head.
"Go home Ryan."
"Thank you." He said and stood up.
"Wait a minute, Pierce you're my intern, I will tell you when to go home." Josh interjected. I physically pushed Ryan out of Josh's office and shut the door telling him not to listen to the grumpy man with the coffee stain on his shirt.
"Donna!"
"Josh!"
"He's my intern, not yours."
"He was asleep."
"It builds character."
"Josh, get a grip and let's get back to vetting Bingo Bob." I dismissed him and he leaned back in his chair exhausted.
"How 'bout some coffee?" He asked.
"That'd be great, two sugars and on cream for me." I said without looking up from the file. He took a deep breath and then stood up and left the office. When he returned with coffee he commented on how, usually assistants get coffee for their bosses.
"That sounds great, too bad I sent Ryan home, he could have gotten me the coffee." I countered.
"By the way, be careful around him." Josh raised his eyebrows a bit and smirked.
"Yeah, those Ivy Leaguers are dangerous." I laughed.
"I'm serious, I think he has a crush on you."
"Right." I blew him off.
"Donna, it's not impossible to imagine. Older woman, coworker. You know how that goes."
"Actually I don't Josh, tell me how it goes." I teased.
"I'm just saying be careful around him. He's got hormones bursting out of his shaggy head."
"Josh I would never . ."
"I know, but I don't want you breakin' his heart like you do everybody else's around here." He smiled and I couldn't help but smile too.
Josh
"Till what time last night?" Leo asked me. Still not quite coherent since I'd gotten only a couple hours worth of sleep.
"About two. What did his dad say?"
"You don't want to know."
"Leo, this is stupid. He's my intern, it's what interns do, they stay late they do shit work and they don't get paid. I went through it, so did you, you know back in the day."
"Josh."
"Like way back in the day."
"Josh, I'm not reprimanding you, I'm just saying his dad called so take care of it yourself, I don't want another phone call."
"Okay." I turned to leave Leo's office.
"There's another thing." He called me back.
"What?"
"Josh, I know that you and Donna are close . . ."
"Oh my God! Not this again. She's my assistant! She assists and that's all! Did you and Amy drink the same Kool-aid?" I threw my hands in the air in frustration. And took a seat on the couch. Leo came around and sat in the chair next to me unphased.
"Josh, whatever problems you have with Amy are unrelated and completely boring to me right now." I looked at him questioningly.
"Deborah is retiring to Florida with her sister next month." He said and I suddenly knew where this was headed.
"No."
"The President told her she could choose her replacement and after conferring with Charlie . ."
"No Leo." I stood up and so did he. The height advantage doesn't do much for me when he's my boss and the President of the United States' best friend.
"They've agreed to ask Donna to replace her."
"Leo, I said no!"
"The President also wants her."
"Tell him to find his own secretary."
"Josh, it's her call."
"No. Donna found me, she won't want to transfer. Out of everyone in the New Hampshire office she picked me to try and weasel a job out of. Not Toby, not Sam, Not C.J. not you, but me! And definitely not the President!" Uh-oh. It never ends well when I raise my voice to Leo.
"Josh." He said calmly. "The President likes her, he's comfortable with her, Deborah likes her, and you know how that woman is! She doesn't like me!"
"Yeah, well, right now I can see her point! Why not Margaret?"
"Are you kidding Josh? I took her out of the running right away." Selfish Bastard!
"What about Ginger or Bonnie or Kathy or about a hundred other assistants?!? Why Donna?" I was at the end of my rope here.
"They're asking her right now." My eyes almost popped out of my head and I opened the door to the President's office to see Donna shaking the President's hand and smiling. She turned and looked at me with a brightness on her face that was unbearable to me. Then she ran up to me and threw her arms around my neck and hugged me. I couldn't help but hug her back. She pulled away quickly and faced me.
"Can you believe it!?" she squealed.
"I'm speechless." She quickly turned away and shook Leo's hand as he walked in, thanking him and then she left to go thank Deborah and Charlie. After she was out of the room I looked at the President.
"Josh, I assume you have some choice words for me?" He smiled slightly.
"Sir, congratulations, you just got yourself one of the best people in the world." Was all I could say and then I turned and walked out through Leo's office.
Donna
"These are the ones that get a second interview, and these are the ones that don't." I handed two stacks of folders to Ryan.
"Only three are getting a second interview?" He said as tried the balance the much larger stack against the small one.
"Josh is very picky Ryan, have you learned nothing about him in the two months you've been here?" I chided him.
"But he isn't even conducting the first interviews, you are. And I swear I heard you ask one woman if she would dye her hair red." He replied.
"I think that Josh needs a change from my blonde hair, that's all."
"He's not going to mix you up with some other blonde Donna." Ryan rolled he eyes.
"Ryan, just do the call backs to the three who are getting second interviews." I sighed. Josh opened the door to his office and motioned for me to come in. I'm surprised he didn't yell this time. He acts as if he thinks this promotion is great, but I know he's pissed. He's been incredibly short with me the past two weeks. But what can I do? The President asked me to serve. I walk quickly into Josh's office and lay down his afternoon schedule. He picked it up and looked at it. I braced myself for what was coming.
"Why do I have Karl Porter on here? And a dentist appointment? And an eye exam? Donna what the hell is this?" He asked right away. I closed his door and faced him.
"Josh you've been putting off Porter for too long, he's Russell's chief of staff and he just wants, like, a half hour." He rubbed his head in frustration with me.
"The dentist? The eye doctor? What are those about?" He asked.
"My replacement isn't going to know right off the bat how badly you take care of yourself so I thought we could get these out of the way before I leave and before I have to start training someone."
"How's the search coming?"
"Good, I have three coming back for second interviews."
"Do I get to sit in on those ones?"
"If you want."
"Is there a swimsuit portion of the interview, because I'd definitely show up for that part."
"Be ready for the eye doctor at two. I'm going to drive you there and back. Okay."
"Fine."
Josh
"UHHH!!" I moaned.
"Josh?"
"Uhhhhhh!"
"Do you want me to take you home to lie down?"
"I hate you right now and if you weren't quitting, I'd fire you."
"Josh, he just dilated your eyes."
"The light hurts Donna, shut off the sun."
"I'm taking you home, you can lie down for a bit."
"Uhhhhhhhhh!!!"
"Josh!"
"I'm in pain!!" I try to reiterate. She pulls into my drive and helps me out of the car and up the steps to my apartment. I can't believe I went to the eye doctor! I hate this! Every bit of light is blinding! I collapse on my couch and pull a blanket over my eyes.
"Josh, I'll make some coffee."
"Turn off the lights."
"They are off."
"Are you sure because it feels like I'm at Met stadium!"
"Well close your eyes under that blanket."
"Okay." I could hear her stir around the kitchen getting some coffee going.
"Did you tell your folks about the job?" It was the first time I had brought it up since she was offered it.
"Yeah, they were over the moon!" she called from the kitchen.
"That's great."
"It won't be so bad for you, you know."
"What?" I asked.
"It won't be so bad for you. I'm gonna get you a great replacement and you won't miss a beat."
"Why don't you just get a great replacement for the President and then I definitely won't miss a beat."
"Josh."
"Just kidding, Donna. I think it's great."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Are you lying?"
"Yeah."
"Okay."
We sat in silence for a while, then she brought me some coffee and I sat up on the couch. The impending separation of JoshandDonna was looming. Two weeks and she'd be out of my office.
"It's not like I'm really quitting, just transferring."
"Yeah, and it's not like we won't still see each other, I'm in the Oval Office at least four times a day anyway." I agreed. We both smiled and then just drank our coffee silently.
Donna
"Hey!" Josh said to me and I turned around. It's 7:30 on my last Friday in Josh's office and it's been a crazy long week training Rose, my replacement and training with Debra. Josh has flowers in his hands.
"Hey."
"Is that lady gone?"
"Rose, Josh. Her name is Rose and yes I sent her home for the day."
"I got you roses." He smiled, very proud of himself. I smiled back, he really is sweet when he wants to be.
"Thank you." He handed them to me and I put them on my desk.
"And you and I are goin' to dinner!"
"Okay." I smiled.
We left the West Wing and drove to an Italian restaurant and there were reservations waiting for us. I can't believe this. It's such a surprise from Josh.
"This is great Josh, thank you."
"Well you deserve a proper send off Donna." He smiled and poured us both some wine.
"You are going to try and be nice to Rose aren't you?" I asked.
"Rose who?"
"Josh."
"I'll be nice."
"Because she's really good."
"Yeah, whatever. You're leaving me alone with Pierce and that lady. How can you sleep at night."
"By knowing that I'm leaving you alone with Ryan and Rose." I smiled and sipped my wine. "What's going on with Amy?" I asked cautiously. She's been noticeably absent from Josh's office lately.
"Nothing. She decided we shouldn't get back together and I agreed. It was all very amicable." He stared down at the menu.
"Oh, well all I meant was that she hasn't been in to see you in a while."
"She's going straight to Leo these days, apparently, he's better at dealing with her." I smiled at that comment. "What?" He saw my smile. I looked down at the menu.
Josh
"What's that look for?" I asked Donna as she tried to suppress a grin and concentrate on the menu.
"Just thinking about how horrible you are at dealing with women." She mused.
"What? Women love me! I'm adored by women! I practically have a harem!" I pointed out.
"Those are assorted fans and stalkers Josh, I don't think they qualify as a harem."
"I don't think you get to be the one that makes that decision."
"Women fluster you. It happened with Joey Lucas, with Amy . . ."
"I deal with you and C.J. all day every day."
"No Josh. We deal with you."
"Donna."
"Josh, just order."
"Okay."
After dinner I drove her to her apartment and walked her up the steps.
"Do you need me tomorrow?" She asked.
"Donna, I need you everyday." I said. Damn, I think I drank more wine that I should have. But I only had two glasses.
"Josh. Please." She put her head down and stared at her feet.
"What?" I asked softly. It somehow felt different standing there on her stoop. Different than the other times.
"Don't make this harder than it already is. I know you think that I'm deserting you and picking the President over you, but that's not how it is." She looked up and I could see tears in her eyes. My heart suddenly ached and I felt like shit because of I had treated her this past month.
"I know." I tried to smile and she laughed at my effort.
"You want some coffee? I've heard that some assistants get their bosses coffee." She gestured to her apartment upstairs.
"Who is spreading that ugly rumor?" I smirked and followed her upstairs.
"When did Jodi move out?" I asked as I took a seat on her countertop.
"Two weeks ago." She started the coffee and then pulled out a small ice cream carton from the fridge and pulled two spoons from the drying rack. She hopped onto the counter beside me and handed me a spoon.
"Lonely?" I asked as I dug into the Cherry Garcia ice cream.
"I'm always at work anyways. I hardly ever saw her. At least there's no more cat hair to worry about." She smiled.
"This morning Pierce tried to hit on C.J." I smiled.
"Shut up!" Donna exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah, she smacked him down hard. I thought he was gonna cry."
"Damn, and I thought I was his one true love." She joked. We both laughed.
"We're having a moment here Josh." She stated and smiled. I nodded in agreement.
"And we'll have plenty more." She said and shoved me lightly and I smiled.
"Yeah, I know. You're a hard woman to get over Donnatella Moss. But I will survive." She hopped off the counter and fixed our coffee.
Donna
I tried to calmly fix my desk and steady my hand to write in the President's appointment book but I couldn't help but be a little nervous.
"Good morning Donna." The President said cheerfully as he strode into the office through the French doors from the balcony.
"Good morning Mr. President." I replied and I stepped into his office and handed him is morning schedule. I greeted Charlie as he came in and then we both left the Oval office.
"Good morning Donna." C.J., Will, and Toby all greeted me as they walked into the Oval Office for the daily Senior Staff Meeting. Josh walked by and sort of smiled then rushed in to join them.
"Did you have a good weekend?" Charlie asked as we traded notes on appointments after they closed the door to the Oval office.
"It was unusually quiet because I didn't work. How was your trip to Manchester? How's Zoey doing?"
"Better everyday. The trip was okay." He smiled knowingly. I knew he meant that there was still some animosity between the President and the First Lady. He sat down and we both continued to work quietly.
Josh
"Thank you sir." I said as the President adjourned our morning meeting. I walked out of the office after everyone and almost ran into Donna coming in.
"Sorry." I mumbled.
"This might take some getting used too, huh?" She tried to sound upbeat. I just put my head down and rushed out of the office.
"Josh, I need you in a meeting today with Hannelly's Chief of Staff." Toby popped his head into my office.
"Okay. Check with Donna." I said distracted and then I caught myself. "Rose, let me ask Rose." Toby just stood there looking at me. "It's not like he's better looking than I am. I mean he's Presidential but not better looking right?" Toby continued to just stare. "Sense of duty, my ass!" I got up and brushed past Toby into my bullpen.
"Rose, today's schedule please." The petite brunette handed me a piece of paper. "Toby, what time?"
"Two." He answered
"Okay. Cancel this and move that back and put me down for a meeting on the Hill at two." I instructed and went to my office and shut the door. A few minutes later came a knock.
"Hey." It was C.J., she came and sat on my couch.
"Yeah."
"I got a question about whether the First Lady would be canceling all her engagements this month or if she would keep some of the important trips like Russia."
"Ask Amy." Was my answer.
"I need you to talk her into getting the First Lady to keep Russia and Bejing on her schedule."
"Get Leo to do it."
"Leo won't get near the First Lady with a ten foot pole right now. Quit trying to hand it off and do it Josh." She insisted.
"Fine."
"Josh."
"I said fine."
"Donna looked great this morning." A shooting pain hit my forehead.
"Yeah." I responded.
"I know it's not easy to get used to someone new Josh, but it's also not impossible."
"Do you think there is a specific reason she left me?" I asked suddenly.
"She transferred because the President asked." C.J. stressed the transferred.
"Yeah, but do you think she was unhappy with me?" I pressed.
"Josh, the President asked. If he hadn't then she would have been perfectly happy here with you. She didn't leave you, she's just down the hall." C.J. left.