Sunday dawns and I vow to take it easy today. We go to mass even though I'm not sure I'm ready to be seen in public with the cane. Abbey convinces me to go and I guess I'm glad I did. People didn't stare at me anymore than they do on a normal day. Maybe things won't be so bad come tomorrow morning.

When we get back home Abbey goes to get a few hours work done. I debate just crashing on the couch and watching football but I really should go over to the office for a few hours too. I limp my way over there. I see the light on in Leo's office. I poke my head in and he is on the phone. By the sounds of it, he is talking to Josh. He waves me into the room and I drop on his couch, quickly making myself comfortable by putting my feet up too.

"Hope you and you're dirty shoes are comfy on that expensive, government owned couch, sir."

"It is pretty nice actually" as I kick my shoes off.

"Yeah, I'm still here Josh, the President just walked in, plopped on my couch and took his shoes off. No, I don't think he's taken too many pain pills."

I roll my eyes at Leo. He hangs up the phone, sits down with his hands laced behind his head, puts his feet on the desk and just stares at me.

"Jed, do you want something or are you just visiting. Was Josh right, did you take both of the pills at the same time again?"

"No, I thought I would come down and check on the country. So have I missed much in the last 36 hours."

"No, not much. Things have actually been pretty quiet. Guess you picked a good time for a relapse."

"Glad I was able to pick a convenient time, Leo."

"Seriously, how are you today"

"Better, my leg is the same but I have a bit more energy and no fever. Abbey scheduled some tests for me tomorrow evening."

"That's probably a good idea. I left some files on your desk for your review. Toby and Sam left your speech for the health care worker's conference. Everyone's been calling to see how you are feeling."

"I hope you made your point with the staff about not fussing over me."

"Jed, I did all I could. You could always use your cane tomorrow to keep people in line"

"Great idea, I may have to use it. I'm going to go get some work done. Why don't you stick around and have dinner with Abbey and me"

"Thanks for asking but I have a meeting to go to later. One thing before you leave, Toby and I were talking earlier, what do you think about a national address or at the very least a press conference"

"I think the idea sucks. How about a compromise. I'll let the photographers follow me around tomorrow to reassure the public that I am still able to run the country. I think that will be enough for now. I'll think about an address after the test results are back."

"What tests are you having, they sound kind of serious?"

"Abbey scheduled an MRI to check for areas of plaque or scarring in the brain. I had one 7 years ago before I was diagnosed and they want to compare the two. If there is more scarring the MS might be changing course, from relapsing/remitting to secondary progressive, which is the next severe type."

"Jed, I'm so sorry"

"We don't know what the outcome will be. The disease doesn't always progress."

"You keep me posted and let me know if you need anything. I will try to keep the staff under control tomorrow.'

"Thanks, I'll see you in the morning."

I spend the next few hours try to find my desk. I can't believe how much stuff piled up in 2 days. But everything is neat, I guess Charlie was in here last night or this morning. It's almost 6:00 by the time I finish. Abbey pokes her head in as I am getting ready to go back to the residence.

"Want some company on the way up?"

"Sure, I'm just about ready"

We leave hand in hand. It's been a long day, but I managed to make it through without a nap. After a light dinner I am ready for bed. Abbey checks my eye and my temperature.

"100.1, I'll get you some ibuprofen, that should bring it down pretty quickly. Do you need a pill for your back?"

"No, I think I'll be fine without it"

I lay on the bed in my flannel pajamas. Abbey curls up next to me and rubs my back until I fall asleep.