"Jed, did you notice how pale Leo looked tonight?"
"Not really, Abbey. No one, including myself, has any opportunity to get a tan while working in the White House. Beach trips are kind of off the schedule around here."
"Jed, quit being such a jerk." She slapped his arm and turned away from him, taking the bedcovers with her.
"Hey, I'm cold." He jerked the sheet and blanket back.
She jerked them back. "Freeze yourself." This time she held on tightly, not willing to give them back anytime soon.
He sighed. "You would think that being the President of the United States would give me some priority in the bedcover fight department."
"Not when you act like a jerk to your wife." Abbey smiled in the darken room. She loved it whenever she could get the upper hand. "Get up and get the throw from the sofa, if you're cold. You're not getting these back tonight."
"I would rather freeze than give into you."
"Suit yourself." She wrapped herself tightly in the bedcovers and eventually dropped off to sleep, warmed by the snug covers surrounding her.
Jed lay exposed to the cold air for a few minutes, fuming that he had lost another battle of the bedcovers. Finally, he realized that he wasn't going to get any sleep if he kept shivering so he got up, put on some socks and pulled the throw from the sofa. He laid back down on the bed, wrapped himself in it, and soon was warm enough to drift off to sleep himself.
When the alarm went off at 6:30, he reached over and turned it off, realizing that he was covered by the sheet and blanket, not the throw. He rolled over and saw that Abbey's place was empty. He sat up, trying to determine where she might be.
"Good Morning, Sunshine. Sleep well?"
Jed looked around to see Abbey coming through the bedroom door, already dressed in one of her First Lady suits and heels.
"Where are you going so early?"
"Didn't I tell you that I have a breakfast speech downtown this morning? To the American Pediatric Association?"
"Maybe."
"Well, I do. I have to leave at seven. Did you sleep well?" Abbey grinned at him.
"Abbey, quit smiling. You know I slept under that damn throw after you hogged the covers."
"Well, hon, when you act like a jerk, you pay the consequences." By this time, she had crossed the room and was standing by the bed. She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. "But you are forgiven. I have to go. But Jed, please check up on Leo. He really doesn't look well."
"Okay."
Later, in the Oval, Jed had a few spare minutes so he walked over to the side door between him and the Chief of Staff, knocked once and entered.
"Hey, got a couple of minutes to talk?"
Leo stood. "Yes, Mr. President."
Jed walked around, shutting doors, and then sat down. "Leo, how are you feeling?"
"Fine, Mr. President."
"Leo, it's me, Jed, you're talking to. Abbey and I are concerned. What did the doctor say yesterday? And I don't want to hear 'nothing'. I haven't been married to a cardiac doctor for thirty-something years not to pick up medical stuff over that time."
Leo hesitated. He really didn't want to talk about it. "Sir, it's private. Can't we just keep it that way?"
"Leo, tell me if it's going to affect your job. Do I need to be aware of anything? Do I need to cut back on your responsibilities? Maybe turn something over to Josh that doesn't deal with supervision of White House staff or National Security? I don't want this job to kill you, Leo. I want you around for many more years."
Leo didn't respond.
"Leo, it's not bad if you need to ease up a little on the responsibilities. Hell, man, you do so much. Probably much more than the average Chief of Staff because of our close relationship. I think maybe you can ease up a little bit now that we have a few years in the office."
"Mr. President, I'm fine. The doctor just said to eat better, you know the usual things. Really. I appreciate you and Abbey worrying about me, but it's going to be okay."
Jed sighed. It was like talking to one of his girls when they were teenagers. No amount of persuasion was going to get Leo to open up if he wasn't willing. "Okay."
He stood to leave. And so did Leo.
"Both Abbey and I care about you. You know that. And we would do anything to help you. So when you're ready, come talk to us. Will you at least promise that?"
"Yes, Mr. President."
Jed turned and walked back into the Oval. Under his breath, he mumbled "Stubborn fool."
