Danny retook his seat. "Donna, why did you quit over
this? It's going to be forgotten by the weekend."
"It made things too awkward," Donna replied quietly as
she stood and returned the handkerchief."Thanks for
the handkerchief and for letting me bend your ear."
"Anytime," Danny replied as he followed her to the end
of the row. "Do you want me to talk to Josh? See if
this can be straightened out?"
Donna turned to face him smiling sadly. "Nothing to
fix."
Danny watched her disappear into the sea of reporters
that filed in for CJ's afternoon briefing. There was a
story here he could smell it. But Danny had worked in
the political arena long enough to know he'd never
know the whole truth. He just hoped that Donna
wouldn't be too hurt by this mess.
*********
Nick Halloway knocked on Lillienfield's closed office
door around three and poked his head in.
The gray haired man waved him forward. Nick nodded and
crossed to stand in front of the desk waiting for the
Congressman to finish his phone call.
Lillienfield briskly ended the phone conversation and
turned his full attention to Halloway. "Well from the
grin on your face I assume you have some good news to
report?"
Nick nodded as he leaned against the corner of the
desk. "Your plan against Lyman and McGarry is going
just as you expected. Moss is a nervous wreck, Lyman's
about to lose everything and he doesn't even realize
it. McGarry's completely in the dark."
"Excellent."Lillienfield replied with a wide smile as
he leaned back in his chair. "That tidbit of
information you gave me about Moss is certainly paying
off in spades. I think it's time for phase two."
***********
Donna stepped through the doorway of Josh's apartment
and quickly shut the door. She collapsed back against
it and closed her eyes the tears starting to flow
again. Her conversation with Danny had helped some but
she still didn't know what to do. But on the drive
here one thing had become clear....she couldn't stay
in his apartment any longer. Not after the mess she
had made. She couldn't look at him every morning and
wonder if his feelings were real or just obligation.
After a few moments Donna pulled herself together and
walked through the living room to Josh's bedroom. Once
there she picked up her small yellow overnight bag and
began to pack.
Halfway through the task Donna paused......she
couldn't go back to her apartment the press were still
camped out. She couldn't stay here and Donna didn't
feel like explaining to any of her friends why she
needed a place to stay. So where did that leave her?
Donna sighed and continued to pack. She'd have to stay
at a hotel....but that could only be for so long. No
job, no money to pay off the credit card bills.
One thing at a time, Donna chided herself as she
zipped up the bag with a grim smile. First a place to
live then a new job.
Donna slowly walked toward the door and paused near
the dresser as she turned to look at the small
bedroom. She tried to capture as many happy memories
from the room before turning and leaving the apartment
with a heavy heart.
end of part 9 TBC