Josh turned the corner. He was dragging his feet – his head was down, his shirt was sticking to his back – he was anxious; a feeling he resented more than anything. He especially disliked feeling this way over saying hello to a former employee – someone who had worked for him, someone who had answered to him, someone who had been his friend but someone he had held complete control over. Okay, so a few of those were utterly false.
He stopped walking for a moment. He remembered that life usually required breath, and practiced that for a minute.
"Josh?"
He opened his eyes. Standing with his back against the wall, he adjusted his eyes.
"Donna. Hey."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Do you need something?"
"Not really"
"Then what are you doing?"
"Resting."
"In a hall of the West Wing of the White House where you are no longer employed?"
"I guess. Feels sort of normal. Donna, I wanted to-"
"Josh"
"Donna, just let me-"
"Josh, it's really not a-"
"Donna, please. I just wanted to say hello, and congratulations."
She paused. "What?"
"I said hi and congratulations."
"Yeah." She blinked, stunned a bit.
"Donna?"
"Yeah"
"Hi."
"Hi, Josh."
She smiled briefly.
"It's good to-"
"Hey" Will interrupted, leaning against the wall next to Donna, "you ready to go?"
Josh had never really felt any urge to kill Will Bailey before now.
"We were just catching up" Donna turned, looking at him.
Will smiled weakly. "Ok. Well, um, I can wait in my office if- "
Josh shook his head. "I was just on my way out"
Donna sighed. "Josh"
"I was on my way out, Donna"
"You need to know that I got a call from-"
"Donna, I'll be back around here soon enough. You kids have a good time."
He quickly turned and started walking. Will rubbed his brow.
"He's pissed."
"Yeah" Donna sighed; looking like she might either burst into tears or beat someone up.
"Ready to go?"
She nodded.