Take a Chance On Me
Part II
by: Raye
So, I'm standing here... in the cold... waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting for.... hell to freeze over... a truly non-partisan initiative on the Hill... waiting for the kind of courage I need to knock on the door.
Yes, I am a coward, dammit!
I sigh and pull my coat tighter around the neck, wishing I'd remembered to bring a scarf. Cowardly and cold... it's a hell of a night.
'She's a hell of a woman.'
"Who said that?"
An old man walking past me turns to stare as though he's afraid I'll mug him and he'd like to get my description down-pat for the police.
"Sorry..." I shake my head and wonder how long before I'm completely insane, then I look up at the windows of her apartment and know that for better or worse, I might find my way after all.
There's a few lights on upstairs, so she must be awake.
I set a foot on the first step and balk. I should wait until the morning and talk to her when she comes in the office... 'Good one, Lyman.'
Okay, even I have to agree with my inner voice. I'm beyond stupid. I'm also pretty sure that I've got ice forming on my face.
Why did Donna have to choose this time of year to stick it to me?
'It's not about you, mi amor...' I checked over my shoulder, expecting to see CJ waving her finger at me, but when I don't see her I wonder if this is my penance.. or a version of A Christmas Carol.
'Lord knows, there's enough Scrooges on the hill.' Now I have Leo in my head. It's starting to get crowded.
I realize I'm not going to get anywhere standing out here and staring at her window and I think some of the people that have passed by me are getting ready to call the police on me, so.... just to give my fingers something to do beside freeze, I reach into my coat pocket and fish out my cell phone. A few miserable attempts at dialing and finally the phone picks up.
"Hello?"
My eyes squeeze shuts against a sudden rush of tears. Why didn't I see it sooner?
"Hello?" Her voice is a bit worried... insistent.
"Uh... yeah, Hi, Donna.. it's Josh."
"Josh." The tone is non-committal, passe, bland.... not what I wanted. But certainly more than I deserve.
"Yeah... me. Did I ... wake you?"
"Not really."
I flex my toes in my shoes, their starting to fall asleep. "You turning in early?"
She pauses and I check my watch. It's 11:48 p.m. I'm sure I sound delusional right about now.
"Well, if I were working at the White House, I guess it would be early."
I take the subtle tone in her voice like a slug to my stomach. One I certainly deserve.
"That's why I'm calling, Donna. I want to talk about this."
"Now?"
"Yeah, now, Donna. I'm sorry I didn't have time before."
"Didn't? You mean, wouldn't."
Ouch. That one is going to bruise.
"Fair enough, Donna. I deserve it and then some.." I can almost here her breathing on the other end of the line... I can almost see her, "but don't you want to cut me down in person?"
She sighs.... something long and drawn out, like she's really thinking it over. "I have to... I have to go to work tomorrow, Josh. I should really turn in-"
"Donna..."
"-but the time you get here from the office-"
"I'm outside."
"-it would be way after... what did you say?"
"I'm outside, Donna. Right here on the sidewalk."
"Josh... I-"
"I'm right here, Donna. Come over to the window."
It takes a moment. A long moment, but then I see a shadow in the window above. Her hand takes hold of the edge of the curtain and it bows back, all angular lines and shadows. I raise my hand up and give a nervous little wave and hope my fingers-turned-icicles don't break off before she returns the gesture.
She doesn't and to make matters worse, the line goes dead and the curtain falls back into place.
Ohhhkay. I'm not sure how to take this. Is this a complete and total rebuke? Or does this mean I have to call back? Try harder? Pound on the door like some madman?
I take the rest of the steps, determined to see her, my hand ready to pound on the door and wake everyone up if I have to.... the door swings up and there she is.