Saturday Morning Thoughts
Oh, God, what is that sound piercing through my brain in the middle of the
night? Wait, the sun's out. There goes my precarious sense of time. There
it is again. Wait, I know what it
is.....
The phone.
"Yeah"
"Good morning Joshua"
"Good morning Donnatella, please don't yell."
I can tell she is trying not to laugh at me. As bad as I feel I am still glad to hear her
voice. It just wouldn't be Saturday
without her calling to wake me up.
"I'm not yelling. I won't even
ask how you feel. After what you did
last night I don't really care how you are feeling this morning. You need to be in the office by 8:30, you have a meeting at 9. Don't go back to sleep it's almost 7.
Bye"
That's it, she hung up already. I
didn't even get to be my charming, witty self.
Guess that's OK because I don't feel witty, charming or even
particularly alive at the moment. Damn
my sensitive system.
Wait.....after what I did last night?
God, I have no idea what I did.
Damn my sensitive system.
OK, so I'll get up.
Maybe not so fast, the room is spinning and I need to make a quick decision
about a mad dash for the bathroom. Maybe
some deep breathing would help. Standing
against the wall might help but that would involve, well, standing up. And I don't think I'm ready to be vertical
yet.
Let me just pull the covers up for a few minutes, that's all I need, a few
minutes.
OK, that's better. I think I'm ready
to get up, slowly.
Almost to the bathroom and the hot shower that awaits me.
Ah, heavenly.
I think the hot water tank is just about empty; so let me get out before I
am pelted with freezing water.
Quick glance out the door to check the clock, 7:30. Right on time.
I am going to prove to Donna that I am fine. I drank, I got drunk and now I'm fine. Yeah, right, if I'm so fine why is the mere
thought of my morning coffee, the cup I will have to get myself, sending me
running into the bathroom.
So, I'm not fine. So I just spent
the last 15 minutes tossing my proverbial cookies. Damn my sensitive system.
Water, I need water.
Why did I look in the mirror? Bad
move. OK, today isn't going to be a good
day so let's change the subject. How
about some happy thoughts.
Of course, we will start with Donna.
Watching her deal with Sam and Steph yesterday was amazing, she's
amazing. I know how hard it was for her
to go to Sam and ask for his help. She
didn't want to overstep her boundaries but she was determined to help a
friend. And that's what she is all
about, helping others. Helping me
especially.
In the weeks since Joey made her pronouncement things haven't changed at
all. And you know what, that's fine. Sure I still have feeling for Donna and I'm
pretty sure she has some for me but what's the hurry. We like things the way they are now. It works for us.
These happy thoughts are nice but the clock says I have about half an hour
to dress and get to the White House.
Better think and dress at the same time.
At least it is Saturday and I don't have to worry about matching my suit
and tie. All I have to worry about is
finding a clean pair of jeans and a sweater.
The green one, I think Donna mentioned liking it one time. Socks, sneakers and I think I'm just about
ready.
A quick glance in the mirror.
Looking a little better, not so deathly pale.
Backpack, a bottle of iced tea, car keys and I'm ready. Oh no.
I vaguely remember riding with Donna last night to the bar. And I sort of remember staggering in the
door. I think she drove me home, brought
me inside and pushed me towards the bedroom.
Which means my car is at work. And she didn't even offer to pick me
up. I must have done something really bad
last night. I don't remember very much.
Let me think.
Oh God, forget what I can't remember about last night. Let me concentrate on this morning. I woke up in pajama pants and a t-shirt. I'm pretty sure I remember wearing a suit to
work yesterday. I'm not sure I want to
know how I got into pajamas.
I'm sure Donna will be more than happy to fill in the missing details of my
evening.
So, I'll walk, fresh air couldn't hurt.
Back to Donna.
I know she really enjoys Big Block of Cheese Day. Maybe something to do with being from Wisconsin? You know, the cheese state. I think she's the only one. Except for Margaret who gets to hand out the
assignments. Donna thinks it is neat and
she was pretty proud of herself when she got her own assignment. I was proud of her too. I told her so, using my best dimpled
smile. Makes her melt every time.
On to Donna and Sam. I think
watching the two of them yesterday made me realize that I sometimes take
Donna's friendship for granted. Like she
is supposed to be my friend because she works for me. Deep down I know we would be friends even if
she didn't work for me. Then again, if
she didn't work for me I would have already made a move. I'm not sure if I would have made a move with
any skill but I would have at least tried by now.
When I found Donna and Sam in his office I could swear I almost interrupted
something. And I, of course, had a
streak of jealousy. Then I took one look
at Sam who was on the verge of tears and Donna who was obviously trying to
comfort him. I knew she was just being
the great friend that she always is.
Which made me like her even more.
So I hope today is a better one for Sam.
And for all of us. My near death
by banana peel may cause me to have to take it easy today. I need to rethink my position as Toby's
wingman. Or maybe just not leave the
building with Toby. Somehow I don't
think Leo is going to buy my banana peel story as a reason I have to take it
easy. Oh, well. It was worth a shot.
8:15, I can't believe I made it here on time, let alone 15 minutes early.
There's Donna's car in the parking lot so let me take a few minutes to brace
myself for the horrid retelling of whatever it was I did last night. I wish I had some memory of what it was.
Good, Donna's not at her desk, let me just sneak into my office and sit
quietly in the dark until my meeting.
Oh no, a note from Donna right on the middle of my desk, next to what must
be an invisible cup of coffee.
**************************
Joshua,
I know you are probably wracking your little brain trying to remember what
you did last night. So I will save you
the trouble. You didn't do anything
wrong while you were drunk. That must be
a first. Sam and I are just having a
little fun; we know you always have some gaps in your memory when you overtax
that sensitive system of yours.
I'm in the mess getting breakfast.
I'll bring you something, but no coffee.
And not because, as a rule I don't bring you coffee, but because I have
work to do and I am not in the mood to hold your head and rub your back when
you get sick. Been there, done that,
don't care to repeat it.
Make some time to talk to Sam today.
He needs you.
The notes for your meeting are under the phone. If I'm not back in time, do good in there.
Donna
PS-I threw you into the bathroom to change into the pajamas. I'm sure you've been wondering about that for
a while now.
*************************
God, she knows me so well, it is scary.
8:37, twenty three minutes to
finish my iced tea and mentally prepare for the day. Yeah, whatever. Let's see if I can lean back in my chair
without getting lightheaded.
So far so good. Let's look out the
window.
I never really took the time to appreciate the view from my office. I'm usually just looking out without really
seeing but as I look out on the city this morning I see a new day, one filled
with time to spend with friends. And
maybe even time to dream, about things that could be.
God, I get so sappy the morning after I drink. That in itself should be reason enough not to
get drunk. But I think Donna enjoys my
sappy side. So I will be sure to show it to her later. I'll throw in a big, dimpled smile too, just
for good measure.
THE END
