Crashing From a Sugar High
It's over. After more than 9 hours
the filibuster is over. I step into the
corner to watch the celebration here in the bullpen. It's an absolute mad house. My head is buzzing, Leo was right about the
sugar in the crème de caramel.
I look out at these faces; they are like family to me. I can't imagine just throwing this all away
in two years. It's a great feeling when
we pull something like this off. Even
though nobody wanted to be here tonight, we worked together for a common
goal. I know, that sounds like of sappy,
but what can I say...I guess I'm just a sappy grandfather on a sugar high.
I watch as Donna gets congratulated by nearly everyone in the room. She was
impressive today. Even Toby was
impressed and he's, well, not easily impressed.
I'll have to send her a note telling her that. And to thank her for two other things, the
idea that hand raising in the Oval Office would probably be a good idea and for
her information that, yes indeed, there is a Grandparent's Day. I knew I deserved a holiday.
Sam and Josh are slapping each other on the back. They are both looking better lately. I think Josh is making progress in therapy.
He's certainly been in better spirits recently.
Sam is starting to come back after the bombshell about his parents hit a
few weeks ago. I know they both were supposed to go away for the weekend. Hopefully they can still salvage some of the
plans.
Toby and CJ are talking in another corner.
Toby's actually smiling. And doing something that could almost be
classified as flirting. At least from
what I remember about flirting. Wonder
what that's all about?
Leo's right there in the middle of everything talking to Charlie. When I woke up this morning I never dreamed I
would end up having a candlelit dinner with my Chief of Staff. But it was nice, actually. The food, as
usual, was fantastic. I know the bored
housewife routine was a bit goofy but deep down there was some truth to it. Leo and I don't talk like we used to. Sure, we talk constantly, but not like best
friends should talk. And I miss
that. I think he does too.
I hadn't really planned on confessing to Leo about the deal I made with
Abbey tonight. It just kind of
happened. I think he already had his
suspicions about it. That night a few
weeks ago when he asked me if there was something we needed to discuss, he
could tell I was holding something back.
So when to opportunity occurred tonight I jumped on it. The look on Leo's face...when he whispered
the words, one term, it was all I could do not to completely break down. I was glad his phone rang. Gave me a minute to pull myself
together. That would have been some
scene...I can see the headlines now, "President and Chief of Staff Crying
Amid Candlelight and Roses". But
instead we ran to hear Donna's discovery about Stackhouse's grandson.
I know speech about the power of a grandparent was mostly fueled by too
much sugar and 2 glasses of brandy. But
it was true. I love my grand-daughter,
nobody messes with her. Just ask Al Caldwell and Mary Marsh.
I understand why Sen. Stackhouse did not come to me and explain, but I wish
he had. It would have made things a hell
of a lot easier today. I never really
gave autism a second thought. I don't
know anybody with it. I'll have to have
Charlie get some information for me to read.
The crowd is thinning out here.
People are returning to their office and attempting to salvage their
weekend plans. Leo's looking at me with
that, "can we talk, please" look.
I shake my head and blow him off; I just can't do it now. All of the sudden I'm getting very antsy and
just want to be alone. Maybe a walk
outside, no cigarettes this time.
Nobody really notices as I sneak off, that rarely happens. Not a soul outside here, except for the
agents, but I don't even see them anymore.
It's a nice night; I just wish Abbey were here. Tomorrow she'll be back and we can talk. Perhaps about the deal, perhaps just talk
about nothing at all. We haven't seen
each other much in the past few weeks.
She's been distancing herself from this place and me. I don't blame her. I can't stop thinking about our deal.
The thing is...more than anything in the world right now...
I WANT TO BREAK THE DEAL!
There, I've said it aloud. The
ground didn't open up and swallow me; the heavens didn't rain down upon
me. I'm still here.
I look down at my hands, when did I start shaking? Never thought actually saying it aloud would
affect me so deeply. God, I hope I have
a handkerchief; I don't think the President of the United
States should be wiping his eyes and nose on
his shirtsleeve. Found it. I think I'd better take a seat and pull
myself together before I trip over something.
OK, deep breaths, no hyperventilating.
Better. I think I should head over
to the residence and my bed.
I'm not too sure what just happened there.
A combination of things just got a little overwhelming, I guess.
The filibuster
The discovery of Stackhouse's grandson's condition
The emotional confession to Leo
The nail biting scene in the Senate Chamber
Thinking about Abbey and the deal
And let's not forget the crème de caramel and brandy.
So for now, it's time to sleep. I am
quickly crashing from the sugar high. In
the morning, I'll make a phone call to Annie to tell her about the filibuster
and to tell her I love her with the power that only a grandparent can
understand.
THE END
