Return to Yesteryear
by AJ
"I'm sorry, Leo. I really thought we could keep it from him." Abbey frowned
as she was talking to her husband's best friend, the day before they were to
go to New Hampshire. "If it makes you feel any better, he managed to con me
into going."
"Oh, yeah, I feel so much better. I don't want to go back there, Abbey."
"It's not as bad as you think, Leo."
"Abbey. . ." Leo knew he was whining and didn't want to sound that way, but
he couldn't help himself. "You know that I had such a rep as a partier, the
big man on campus, the ladies man. I've changed and don't really want to go
back to people who think that."
"And I understand, Leo. Really, I do. Which is why I'm so sorry that Jed is
making you go. I tried to talk him out of it, really, I did." Abbey sighed.
Leo sighed, "I know you tried. But damnit, he doesn't have the right to force
me to go to this."
"If you want to stay here, I can try and cover for you."
"No, I wouldn't want to get you in trouble for me, Abbey. But thanks for the
offer." Leo said as Jed entered the room. Leo smiled weakly, "Mr.
President."
"You're not getting out of it, Leo. It'll be fun." Jed walked over and
tried to put his arms around his wife, but she backed away from him.
"With all due respect, sir, it won't be." Leo wished he could drop formality
and tell Jed to shove it, which was what he really wanted to do.
"Jed. . ." Abbey began.
Hearing the tone in which she spoke, Jed placed a hand on his forehead and
walked towards his desk. Leo slipped out of the room, wanting to be away
from the President before he got himself in trouble.
Both Abbey and Jed took notice of the retreating Leo. "You really shouldn't
force him to go. He has a legitimate reason for not wanting to."
Jed laughed, "Oh, Abbey. He's just being stubborn. Once he goes, he'll
enjoy it."
"No he won't." Abbey frowned as she moved across the room to her husband.
"It's been 40 years. . ." Jed stopped after saying 40. Was he really that
old?
"Yes, it has, Jed, but Leo has gone through a lot in those 40 years and he
doesn't want to share that with his old friends!"
"So, have you talked to Elizabeth lately?" Jed decided it was best to change
the subject.
"No and don't change the subject. I want you to back down on this, Josiah."
"Maybe we should call her before we go up tomorrow. We can spend some time
with her." Jed purposely changed the subject again.
"Jed!!!" Abbey shook her head and made her way over to the door that connects
the Oval Office to Leo's.
"Yes?" He replied.
Abbey stopped and realized she was seriously considering physical violence at
this moment.
"Abbey, I'm doing it for his own good." Jed sighed.
"What?" Abbey turned and walked back to her husband.
"I am doing it for his own good." Jed swallowed hard. "He needs to get past
this fear. . ."
"Jed, you can't force him." Abbey spoke softly, seeing that his concern was
real.
"That's why I was hoping that *you* would back me up on this." Jed looked up
at her. "I should have known better." He muttered beneath his breath.
"Jed, I back you up, but this is hurting him."
"But it shouldn't, Abbey." Jed stood up from his desk and walked to the
other side, where his wife was standing.
"But it is!"
"Tell me what to do. I know he needs to go, and I know he doesn't want to.
I don't want to hurt him, Abbey. I don't. Tell me what to do."
"I guess, we make him." Abbey sighed, wishing she didn't have to do this.
TBC. . .