Sleep Science 3/3

CJ and Danny

Disclaimer: as if!

Calendar Math

Santa Monica, California. July 2007

She's in Kenya and he sleeps alone. Well, not so much sleeps as avoids sleep. Stays up 'til all hours working on the Bartlet administration book that's taking over his life. Drifts off late at night in front of the T.V. and wakes up in the very early morning to some infomercial on how to lose twenty pounds in two weeks for $39.99. Checks his email constantly, hoping that's she's somewhere near a transmission tower. Makes sure he's home at noon, because she often calls just before going to bed.

And he's grateful in a way not to be in Washington where too many people will recognize his obsessive behavior and casually mention her name just to see him implode.

It's a week before he sleeps in their bed without her, and he hates it.

Ten days before he realizes that he's lingering in their closet in the morning, just because it smells of her perfume.

Two weeks before he's waiting at LAX, much too early for her plane.

*****************

He's in Sarajevo and she sleeps alone. Well not so much sleeps as drops into unconsciousness. Schedules early morning meetings, and spends too much time at the gym so she can make herself physically exhausted. Calls him in middle of the day so her voice won't betray how much she misses him.

And she's grateful in a way not to be in Washington where too many people will recognize her frenetic behavior and casually mention his name just to see her explode.

It's a week before she realizes that she can stretch out across the whole bed, and it makes her lonely.

Ten days before she starts sleeping in one of his t shirts, just for the comforting smell of him when she wakes up at night.

Two weeks before she's waiting at LAX, much too early for his plane.