Josh
March 12th, 1998
Donna has only worked here for three weeks. I am at a loss for why this seems impossible. She is so ingrained into my world now. Professionally, I've become a lot more efficient. Leo is happy with me. Bartlet knows who I am now. (And loves Donna which I haven't decided if I'm slightly envious or slightly proud). My office is clean and I'm prepared any meeting I go into. The campaign is even picking up speed. A small part of me credits this entirely to Donna's magic. We didn't do great at the Iowa Caucus and that was pre-Donna. The New Hampshire primary was two days after she got here. Bartlet had came in first by a hare but hadn't exceeded expectations so I wasn't calling it a win. Donna told me I was being ridiculous. The Nevada Caucus was next and we hadn't spent much time there given the allure of Hoynes there and the name recognition of Wiley. But we came in second by very few delegates. Everyone was shocked and it gave us lots of free media time which helped leading into South Carolina. We came in second. And not that far from Hoynes. That night everyone was celebrating hard in the Bartlet camp. Wiley dropped out after Alabama (where it was a closer bid for second place but he needed a much stronger finish there if he were to stay in the race).
This thing we have going on… It's more than just professionally though.
When we finish the day at the office, we go to the bar with our friends. Her and CJ have hit it off. Toby has that older brother thing going on with her even if he doesn't want to show it. Sam and her are trouble. Sometimes I can't decide if they're flirting or if Sam's like a younger brother to her (even though Sam is older than her). I hope it's the latter and I won't read into why. CJ has an assistant now as well; Carol. She also accompanies us on our escapades. Her and Donna and CJ and Margaret have formed The Sisterhood. Toby, Sam, and I are intimidated. But it's also our favorite thing and we will never say it to their faces.
I did notice that when Carol came on as CJ's assistant, Donna got a little weird. We were eating chinese food in my hotel room one night, watching the floor debate about an education bill that would undoubtedly affect how we campaign in the coming weeks, when I asked her what was up. I remember her first few days being reserved about prying into her life when I noticed something was the matter. That faded. We were open books with each other. Verbally or not.
"What's up with the Carol thing by the way?" I said, perhaps a little insensitively.
"Huh?"
"You've been weird about her." I shrugged.
"What? No, I haven't. Oh, god. Have I been rude?" Donna went from confused to guarded to worried in .02 seconds.
"Nah, just weird. I don't think anyone else noticed." I tried to assure her. It was true. I have a weird spidey sense with Donna. It goes both ways though. She certainly more so.
"Ah… She's great. I'm just…" She bites her lip. I know that now is the time to shut up and wait. "She has a degree. And had an internship in the political world and worked at a newspaper before this and she's an assistant." I don't think she's going to expand on that but she doesn't need to. She feels insecure about her qualifications.
"Donna, CJ only hired Carol after begging me for you." It was true. CJ told me after telling her off that I should be less touchy about Donna.
"Yeah, I know. And trust me, I'm flattered. I just look at her and Margaret and Mrs. Landingham and I feel… small." She's talking at a low volume. I mute the TV and turn to her.
"You told me I'd find you valuable? You are. Not just to me. To this campaign. Seriously, you have to promise me you won't let the Governor steal you away from me when we get him elected. After meetings where I'm pretty sure he's going to quit, he walks over to your desk. I don't know what you say to him but even Leo said we should all be singing your praises. Mrs. Landingham is an amazing woman. She's been by his side forever. Carol is smart. She's got chops. Margaret is freakishly good at managing Leo. But you are all those things too." I can't help this little compliment rant. It's the most sincere I've been with anyone outside my family in a long time.
That was last week. We came back to New Hampshire two days ago. Since that night, she's seemed happier. Maybe I am an egomaniac like she says because I can't help but feel a little proud and responsible for her mood. I like that my words can make her feel better about herself.
After an incredibly frustrating phone call with the DNC finance chair, Donna comes in.
"Do we have the recent numbers for Iowa?" I ask rubbing my hand over my face.
"Hello to you too, Joshua. No, we're still waiting on the fax from the pollsters there. Your mom called by the way." I groan at both of these statements. "Josh, don't be a baby. The fax will be here soon, I'll let you know as soon as it is. Now you have fifteen minutes free so call your mother."
"No, I don't. I'm meeting with our debate specialist in five minutes."
"I pushed it back. Call her."
"Donna."
"Josh."
We stare each other down. As if I was ever going to win that one. I scowl and go to pick up the phone.
"Good boy. Maybe you'll get a treat later." She says in the most condescending voice I've ever heard. Normally I'd yell at someone for that. On Donna, I grin and roll my eyes.
"What kind of treat?" I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively. Okay. Probably should not do this. It's been happening more and more recently. From both of us. Jesus. This is not good. Donna scoffs at my joke and leaves. I see her fighting off a laugh though which does something to my insides.
My conversation with my mother is equal parts grounding and stressful. I should call her more often, Donna's right. She asked when we were going to be in Connecticut. I expected more excitement from her when I told her it'd be in two weeks, almost a week and a half technically. It was an ominous feeling.
The next time I got to talk to Donna was later that day, a little before we would leave to get drinks with our little crew.
"Hey, you finished that meeting early." Following me into my office.
"Uh, yeah." I say shortly. "My mind has been other places." I lean on the front of my desk and look at the floor.
"Josh, what's wrong?" She says quietly, soothing.
"The call with my mom. She, uh… I might just be being paranoid. I don't think I am though. She wants me to come home to talk- she tried to pass it off as just a visit but usually she sounds all excited and what not about that kind of thing but… I think my dad is sick. Again."
"He's been sick before?" She asks. I'm glad she's standing a little bit away. I need the distance but her presence at the same time.
"Yeah." I cough, trying not to have my voice crack. "He, uh, had cancer a little while back. Beat it. I think they're going to tell me it's back."
"Okay." I think most people would have said I'm sorry or oh no poor you or how can I help? And while that all would have been well intended, I probably would have imploded with that response. Donna's is perfect. "What do you want to do now?"
"I'm not up for the bar."
"Sure."
"You can go though." I say halfheartedly. She gives me a small smile.
"Nah. That's okay. We can watch CSPAN and drink beer?" She offers. I know this means we'll talk. It's happened a couple times and we always end up having these heart to hearts. I think tonight I need that, not trying to perk up and drown my sorrows in front of my friends.
Donna does make me feel better that night. We talk about politics first. Then I ask her questions about her family. Eventually she tells me to stop avoiding it. I admit that I'm scared and that I don't want my mom to be alone and that it was gruesome to watch him go through the chemo last time. I told her stories about him- the good ones. We laughed and smiled and at some point, our hands had joined.
Donna
March 13th, 1998
I think I would kill to alleviate Josh's pain. That's not healthy and I know it but he's become my best friend in the three short weeks I've known him. Sometimes it feels like I've been speaking a different language all my life and I've just met someone who speaks it too. I put the crush at the back of my mind most of the time. I just focus on doing a good job and having fun with Josh… and others.
But the whole holding hands thing… The way his thumb drew patterns on my skin. How he looked down as he realized what we were doing and didn't pull away. How I squeezed his hand when I knew he needed reassurance. This all felt more intimate than any sex I ever had with Dr. Freeride. Oh god. Josh would kill me for comparing him to that guy. He wouldn't even pay attention to the content of the thought, he'd be so caught up in the comparison.
Josh hates him. I had opened up to Josh about the day I decided to leave him. I told him about the abortion. And he listened to my thoughts and he assured me that I had every right and there was no judgement. He had yelled when I told him that Freeride was cheating. I think he nearly turned purple when I confided in him some of the meaner things Paul had said. Josh Lyman, killer political operative, is the sweetest man I have ever known.
I'm mulling this over in the shower when I realize.
I'm in love with him.
I am completely and exhaustively love this man.
And I feel woozy. And then nauseous when I realize that there's no way he feels the same way about his uneducated, over ten years his junior assistant. Oh, god.
A few hours later, I'm at work and I'm feeling like I got hit by a truck. I know Josh thinks I'm acting weird. CJ and Carol asked if I was okay. Toby gave me a weird look when I came into relay a message from Josh (which I had done poorly).
It was killing me to see Josh. I couldn't keep up our banter because I was too self conscious about hiding my feelings. It was a terrible terrible feeling. And then I walked into Josh's office to find him flirting with Mandy Hampton, so-called she-devil. Mandy had been here when we got back to Nashua. But I hadn't been concerned about her. Josh seemed to hate her. Now I'm realizing that that's probably a weird version of psychological foreplay for Josh Lyman. I keep it together while I brief Josh on his next meeting. He's still looking at me funny but he can't ask me what's wrong with Mandy in the room.
An hour later, Josh has just left for an event with the governor in Massachusetts- their primary being in two days. He won't be back until tomorrow afternoon. I'm feeling depressed and annoyed. He called me around 8 as I was getting back to my hotel. I ignored the call. CJ had also called me, asking where I was, why wasn't I getting dinner with them? I sigh.
My phone rings again once I've changed into my pajamas. For some unknown reason, maybe just habit, I picked it up without looking at the caller ID.
It's Paul. He's apologizing. And it does sound sincere. And I don't really want to be with him but I think it has to be better than an unrequited romance with a boss at a job you're underqualified and too naive for.
I get to the office absurdly early and I put my letter of resignation on Margaret's desk with a sticky note telling her to only give to him once Josh is back. I leave a letter of goodbye for CJ on her desk. I pack my desk, put the small box in my car. Then I hide in Josh's office. I owe it to him to tell him in person. Or maybe I'm a masochist.
"Hey!" Josh is surprised as he walks in and sees me. "You slackin' off in here?" He's joking but I can see he's worried about this. I'm not sitting in his chair like I usually would and he may have noticed that my desk is devoid of my things.
"Josh." I whisper, looking at the floor.
"What's going on?" He asks, dropping the goofy smile.
"I'm leaving. I'm so sorry. I loved this job and I loved working for you and you've been great and everyone has been great but I… have to go." I hold my breath for him to yell. But he says nothing. I look at him. He looks like I just took the wind out of his sails and then beat him with those winds. "I really am sorry. I have to go back to Wisconsin. You- I'm sorry."
"Uh. Okay. Wait. No." He's pacing now. "There's no way you're going back to him." Why does he have to be so handsome when he's upset with me?
"I am, Josh. I know you don't understand-"
"UNDERSTAND!? You want me to understand!? You're insane! You're leaving a serious job where you've somehow wormed your way into becoming invaluable AND NOW YOU ARE LEAVING FOR A BOY WHO IS AN IDIOT AND MADE YOU FEEL LIKE SHIT AND YOU WANT ME TO UNDERSTAND? No, I'm not going to fucking do that." I had prepared for something like this. It cut just as much as I thought it would. "That's unbelievable! You don't just leave people!… you could have… you should be so much more than this and you're CHOOSING to be this IMMATURE poor-decision-making girl driven by the whims of some GUY WHO'S CREDIT CARD MAX'D OUT-"
"JOSH!" Leo just came in. Josh freezes. His fists are clenched and his shoulders tensed. "We can hear you out here. Donna can make her own choices. You're acting like a child."
"Leo- no. I'm not. She is-"
"Very mature."
"No, you have to tell her she can't go. You have a daughter, Leo. If this was Mal, you wouldn't let her throw away a real career! For some douchebag-"
"She's not my daughter. She's an employee. Get it together." Leo looks beyond pissed. I'm stood frozen on the spot, bouncing from shame to indignation to embarrassment.
"Leo-"
"Josh, go in my office and cool off." He demands.
Josh looks back at me. I can see the hurt in his eyes before he starts walking away.
"Josh?" I manage to find my voice.
"What?" He hisses at me nearing the door, not turning back.
"You- I know you're mad at me but if you need to talk when you go see… I just, I'll be there. You can call." He doesn't say anything for a while. Then I see him nod once and he walks out of my life for what I think is forever. And I know damn well he won't call. And I know there will always be a piece of me who loves him. That piece right now feels like the whole pie.
Once he's gone, I think I'm crying. Leo hugs me. I didn't expect this.
"He's right about some things. He doesn't know how to put it but he's right. You should stay. We were going to put you on salary next week. Say the word and I'll rip up that letter right now and I'll tell Josh to forget this happened and it can still work." Leo says but he doesn't sound convinced. I smile weakly at him.
"Leo, I am so honored to have done the little I have done. I-I really am sorry." I know I can't ask him to rip up that letter. I can't be Josh's Margaret. "I know I have no right to ask you for anything now but… If he, if he- gets bad news when you guys go to Connecticut, can you remind him that I said to call and that I meant it? And please tell the Governor that he has a big supporter in Wisconsin. And I'll never forget getting to meet the future President." I'm crying and Leo is nice enough to just pat me on the back.
"You got it, kid… There's a backdoor next to Toby's office just in case you wanted… some privacy. Not that you have anything to feel, ya know-"
"That's sweet, Leo. But I do and we both know it. I'll go out the back door."
And so I left. Once I stopped crying, I drove. With a sense of dread, I drove home.
Josh
March 30th, 1998
I've thrown myself into work harder than before. Well, I suppose I'd have to considering I don't have an assistant anymore. I mean I could find one probably but I don't want to do that. So I'll overwork myself til someone pulls me out of here. Sometimes it's Sam for dinner. Sometimes it's drinking with CJ and Toby. Sometimes it's sex with Mandy.
Yup, that's started back up again. It keeps me busy and distracted and fighting with her is a little fun. Mostly frustrating but it can be fun at times, a little bit. I refuse to compare it to bickering with She Who Will Not Be Named.
My parents told me last week about my dad's cancer. Apparently it isn't as bad as last time and they caught it early and they are relatively optimistic but there are risks. That night my dad talked to me alone.
"I know you won't want to hear this but… My will is in my office. In the second right desk drawer. And you'll need to take care of your mom. She can't be alone. And no matter what happens, I love you. And I really hope you love someone the way I love your mother. Get Jed Bartlet elected. You've always seen problems and been frustrated by them and so determined to change them. You're going to do that now. I knew you were going to change the world when you started walking. The look of determination in your eyes. You were way young to do it but you didn't like sitting still. God, you used to terrify your mother and I by climbing any surface you could. The more dangerous, the easier you seemed to do it. Take care of Leo too. He's going to want to take care of you, let him. But return the favor. He's a great man and I'm so glad he talked you into this crazy thing. I want like hell to see you change the world but you are already an incredible young man and I can't be more proud to call you my son."
I cried. That morning my mother hugged me and I teared up then too. Ten minutes later, I'm eating breakfast and my mother springs on me…
"So who is she?"
"Huh?"
"You've been lovesick!"
"I'm pretty sure you just told me dad has cancer so if I'm a little glum that might be why."
"No, no. A mother always knows."
"Call the press. Motherly instinct wrong for the first time in human history." I try to joke.
"Is it Donna?"
"WhAT!? No! Mom. She quit anyways. Besides she's practically a child. And she's from Wisconsin. And I'm dating Mandy Hampton now. Again." My mom doesn't buy it. She rolls her eyes.
When I came back and told Leo the news, he looked sad but said he'd call my dad and tell him he'd kick his ass if he didn't fight like hell. And then he told me to call Donna. Which I told him I had no intention or reason to do so. He tried to push me on it but I was very confident in that decision. Mainly because the other night I'd had a dream about calling her and her answering while she was having sex with Dr Freeride. It's haunting me.
The Governor hasn't been that friendly with me lately. I think he blames me for Donna leaving. Which is insane. And I have nothing to feel guilty about. Absolutely nothing. And I believe this twenty three hours of the day. But there's the short period of time in between being conscious and being asleep where my brains rolls through all the things I should have done differently.
Donna
April 4th, 1998
So to distract myself from the overwhelming regret and shame and hopeless love I have for Josh Lyman, I threw myself into being the perfect girlfriend. I cleaned. I worked my shitty jobs. I didn't complain. I cooked. I listened and supported his stupid complaints about his residency. And now I'm sitting in a hospital, pissed as hell, full of anguish.
When he finally does arrive, he's fucking drunk. And he made a comment about not being able to afford a new car so we better hope I didn't total it.
I slapped him and called a cab. My parents were sleeping when I knocked on their door but brought me in and didn't ask any questions… yet.
My brother and I got my stuff the next morning. He asked me what I was going to do now. I shrugged. I knew what I was going to do. I was going to grovel. It would be embarrassing and probably wouldn't work but I had to try.
I'd told myself at first that I would go back to being blissfully ignorant of the Bartlet campaign. It wasn't blissful and didn't last long before I was scanning newspapers, scouring the internet, and watching the news in my spare time. I even caught CJ on MSNBC! I cheered her on, feeling a little silly and very proud. She was incredible. They won in Vermont
I'd go back to the Bartlet campaign and I'd beg Josh. And he'd yell and laugh at me and say no. I'd beg Sam or Toby but they're too loyal to Josh. And I wouldn't really push them on it. I'd beg CJ and she'd probably try to find something for me. At the very least, I think Margaret would let me work with the volunteers. And maybe I'd do such a good job for a while and Josh would see I was still invaluable and that I wasn't going to leave, he'd hire me back as his assistant and maybe we'd work up to being friends again. That would be enough, keeping his eyes in my life.
Josh
April 9th, 1998
I'm in a meeting in the conference room with Larry and Sam and Leo and a few others when I see a flash of blond hair. A nightmare? No. This is real life. Some kind of cruel belated April Fool's joke? Maybe. I've officially lost it? Probably. I refocus on the meeting.
Okay I just saw it again. And the figure turns a little and I swear to god, that is Donnatella Moss and it's an odd sensation to feel both numb and on fire.
"Uh, I've got a thing- I'll be back." I run out of the meeting, not bothering to look at any of them. She's talking to Carol and Margaret. I can't hear what she's saying but she looks nervous. I want to scream at her. I want to ask her what the hell she was thinking. I want to hug her tight. I don't do any of this. I can't afford to lose her again.
"Oh, hey. Thank god you're here, there's a pile of stuff on the desk." I nod my head towards my office and go the opposite way. I get a water from the vending machine despite not being thirsty and return to my meeting. I'm oscillating between elation, caution, and anger and I'm not sure what will win when we talk again.
Donna
May 14th, 1998
I knew there'd be hell to pay when I returned. I thought about it the whole drive here. I just didn't expect this particular brand of hell. Josh is cold and professional. He only talks to me when necessary and doesn't laugh at my attempts at jokes. It's been like this for a month. There's also the issue of Mandy. They're all over each other. We've been flying back and forth a lot lately given the string of primaries coming up. On the plane, she practically sits on his lap. As soon as we get to the hotel, she pulls him to the elevator. They're not subtle. The only redeeming thing is that Josh doesn't look happy about it. He doesn't seem like a man in love. But he's not reluctant either. How can you blame him? Mandy is beautiful woman with more sex appeal in her pinky than I have overall.
I tried to talk to Josh about leaving to apologize and let him vent but he walked in that day after telling me about the stuff on the desk and for a second, I thought he was going to yell and what not. The next second he was going on business as usual. I tried to interrupt him to apologize but he shrugged and insisted it was no big deal.
Everyone else has welcomed me back into their ranks. Some more easily than others. Toby told me it was stupid then hugged me- which was surprising but made me feel a lot better. Sam was nice to me and tried to keep his distance I think in respect to Josh but he didn't hold out for long. Margaret was annoyed with me for a week then told me she decided to put it behind us. The Governor was happy that I was back, said he was proud of me for coming back. CJ was relieved, saying that Josh had been unbearable. She was also concerned for me. She didn't seem to buy my story about the late thaw with the state of my ankle. I think she suspects something far worse than the truth so I know I should probably be honest about it but I'd feel wrong to not tell Josh and tell her. Not that Josh and I are particularly close now.
Sometimes his mother calls to talk to me. I think she wants to know that someone is keeping an eye out for her son but also I do think she just likes talking to me. She'll tell me about her worries about Josh's dad continuing to work despite receiving radiation therapy. I comfort her. Josh doesn't know about these conversations I have with her and I'm not inclined to tell him about it yet.
Josh is a little tipsy tonight. Everyone is celebrating because the past few primaries have been good for us. But we need a win. So everyone is drinking through their nerves as well. I watch him across the room. He looks happy. My heart swells with the thought and he looks over at me, finding my eyes instantly. He raises his glass to me and smiles. I smile wider than I have in a while.
The numbers are pouring in now. It looks like we're going to do well. Like we may have a heavy win. Everyone is on the edge of their seats. I get a call and step outside. It's Deb, Josh's mom.
"Hi! How are you guys?" I ask her cheerily, wondering if they're watching the coverage. I can imagine Josh's dad talking about his son winning the primary. I had also had a couple conversations with Noah. He was a lovely man.
"Donna…" Deb's voice isn't herself. It sounds devastated. My stomach drops to the floor.
"What's wrong?" I ask, dreading the answer.
"Donna, I'm so sorry. I need you to tell Josh. I can't do it. I can't do that to my baby. Noah… Noah died." She is crying now. I'd do anything to have something to say to comfort her but I'm at a loss. I'll do as she asked and tell Josh but internally I'm thinking, no please don't make me do this. Don't make me break him.
"Deb, I am so sorry. Of course I will. I'll make sure he's… I'll get him to you as soon as I can. I'm sending you my love. Are you at home?"
"No I'm still at the- at the hospital."
"Okay, which one? I'm going to send you a car to take you home. Or wherever it is that you need to be."
She tries to tell me not to make a fuss, to worry about taking care of Josh. I insist that taking care of her is taking care of Josh. I feel guilty as we say goodbye even though there is so little I can do. I arrange the car first. She wants to go to temple, instead of home, first.
I walk into a room that is full of cheering and excitement. I think I just saw CJ plant one on Sam. I'm looking for Josh feeling like hell for having to do this to him. He's hugging Leo. I remember that Leo and Noah are friends. Were. This is going to be a rough night.
"Josh."
"Leo! We gotta change this music. We gotta-"
"Josh."
"We gotta replace it with some Doobie Brothers!"
"Josh."
"Ya gotta get happy, Donna. We just won the Illinois Primary!" His hands are on me but I can't focus on that right now.
"No, Josh-"
"Come dance with me!"
"No, Josh. Your father died." I've never seen devastation settle in like this. Noah Lyman was bigger than God in his son's eyes. I watch the boyishness that I love so dearly leave his eyes as he processes this. "Josh, I'm so sorry."
"My mother. She called you?"
"Yes. She asked me to tell you. I've already booked your flight and I got her a car to take her from the hospital. You should go pack. If there's anything else you need, just let me know." I don't say I'm sorry. It's not what he needs or wants right now. He's nodding.
"Thanks." His voice breaks a little and he steps in to hug me. His face is buried in my hair and his breathing is hot on my neck. I don't know what to do other than hold him. It lasts longer than it should but everyone is so busy celebrating that they don't notice. We pull away at the same time. "I should…"
"Yeah. I'll be by in a second with your tickets. I have to go print them." I also need time to tell everyone else. Josh leaves to go pack. Sam noticed him leave and looked at me curiously. I held up a finger, indicating to give me a minute and gave a weak smile apologetically. I have to tell Leo first. It's his friend.
I knock on the room where I know Leo is with the Governor. Leo opens the door smiling. Mr and Mrs Bartlet are hugging and doing a little dance.
"Leo…" I begin.
"What's wrong, kid?" He looks serious now. The Governor and Doctor Bartlet have taken notice now.
"Josh's dad died tonight. Mrs. Lyman called me a little bit ago. I'm so sorry. I know he was your friend." Leo looks horrified. The Bartlets look on with worry.
"Is Josh alright?" Doctor Bartlet asks me.
"He's packing right now." I give her a nonanswer. He's not alright and I'm not about to lie to the future First Lady.
Leo asks me some questions about logistics. About Josh's flight. About Deb being taken care of. I assure him as much as I can and then give him his privacy.
"Sam, CJ, grab Toby." CJ goes to get Toby. Sam is looking at me with trepidation. They look at me expectantly. This is hard. "Josh's dad passed away."
Toby immediately grabs Sam's shoulder as Sam looks down in pain. CJ looks shocked. I tell them I need to go make sure Josh is ready for his flight. They nod. I know they'll take care of the rest and each other.
I print the tickets and run back up to Josh's room. When he answers the door, I want to hold him again but I know he has to be the one to make the first move with this.
"Hey." He says, dejectedly.
"Hi. Here are your tickets. Your plane leaves in two hours, it's not a whole lot of time but the flight isn't too crowded so boarding shouldn't take that long." I'm trying to focus on the logistical side. Hoping to get Josh through this.
"Come with me." He says. I look up at him in shock. "Please." His voice is raw. I can't help it. I hug him. We resume the position from earlier but now I can feel hot tears on my neck.
"Of course. If you're sure. I'll be there." I whisper. I rub soothing patterns on his back.
"Thanks. I can't- I can't do this alone. Come home with me. I need you." Josh has never been this vulnerable with me. I wonder if he'll regret asking me to come when the fog of the shock and sadness wear off. I can't focus on that now though.
I help Josh finish packing and we go to my room so I can pack. He calls the airline to get me a flight because he needs to do something. Once I'm done, we go down to the lobby. He calls the cab because the shuttle would take too long. I run up to the campaign room to check in and let them know we're both going to Connecticut. Leo doesn't look surprised he nods, telling me to take good care of him and Deb. I make that promise and I mean it.
Later, as we're about to board, I come back from the restroom. Josh looks a little better.
"The Governor… he came to say goodbye. To make sure I was okay. Tried to come with me actually." He laughs a little but it's a dark laugh.
"We're going to make a good man president." I tell him. He smiles a little and puts his hand on my back, leading me to the boarding area.
AN Coming up next… The Bartlet campaign wins the primary and then the general. Josh and Donna make some rules.