Crashing From a Sugar High
By Ginny Kinneman
Disclaimers-Not mine
Feedback-Pretty please?
Archive-If you can find an archive still around, go for it!
Next in a series of post-ep glimpses into the mind of Jed Bartlet following:
Thoughts of a Future Statesman
Treading Water
All I Ask
Patriotic Wrestling
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 creme 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 occured 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 me and this place. 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 shirt sleeve. 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 nailbiting scene in the Senate Chamber
Thinking about Abbey and the deal
And let's not forget the creme 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