“Hey Sam. Do you have a
minute?”
I look up to see Donna in my
doorway. She looks unsure, hesitant, unhappy. I wonder briefly if it is Billy
and his wife or Josh that makes her look this way.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“How did the thing with the
speech go?”
I am sure this is not what
she came to talk about. “Good. Toby spent about an hour hashing it out with Andie,
but we’re sticking with what we’ve got.”
This brief distraction seems
to strengthen her resolve. I watch her straighten her shoulders and take a deep
breath. “I was offered a job tonight,” comes out in a rush.
I am surprised. I hadn’t
known she was looking for a new job.
“Really?”
“My friend Casey Reid from
college. He has a dot.com start-up. He wants me to be Issues Director.”
“What did Josh say?”
That unsure look crosses her
face again. This time it is mixed with sadness. I have my answer. It is Josh
that has caused her sad mood tonight.
“He doesn’t take it
seriously. His counter-offer was a title bump – Senior Assistant to the Deputy
Chief of Staff for Strategic Planning.”
“But that’s your title now.”
“Yes.”
I can see the discomfort in
her eyes. Her relationship with Josh has been strained for some time now.
Something happened during the MS hearings, but I don’t know what. To be honest,
I was going through my own crisis of faith and hadn’t cared much. But the
conflict has become worse since Josh started dating Amy, and the tension
between them is now palpable.
“So will you be taking the
job?”
My question is answered by
silence.
“Donna, I can’t tell you to
take the job or not, only you can make that decision. But I do know that Josh
needs you. Work out this problem between you two before deciding.”
“I’m not sure we can. And
why bother? I’m just his assistant.”
“You will NEVER be just his
assistant. You’re friends. You’re … you.”
It may not have been the
most eloquent statement, but I’m glad I used it. I can see a hint of a smile
begin on her face. “What I mean is this – you and Josh have a history. You’re
unique. From the day you walked into his office to … Rosslyn … to the day you
helped him, and all of us, through Mrs. Landingham’s funeral, you’ve been there
for each other. And no matter what’s happening right now, you will always be
there for each other.”
“I don’t know Sam. He’s got
Amy. He’s got a staff of over 100. What makes me so special?”
Aah, now we have gotten to
the heart of the matter. Amy. She doesn’t think Josh needs her anymore.
“Because you ARE. And maybe Josh doesn’t show you that right now, but he does
need you. You’re so much more than just an assistant. You keep him on time. You
keep him grounded. And if you weren’t around to keep his ego in check, I don’t
know what we’d do.”
This time, the smile on her
face reaches her eyes. At this moment, she is absolutely beautiful. How can
Josh not see this? Because he is ensorcelled. Because he is caught in the
moment. Because he is in a competition to win. Because he is an idiot.
“Donna, talk to Josh. Really
talk to him. And don’t let Amy get to you. Guys like him? It’s more than just
the chase. They know how to commit – when it’s the right woman. Amy is not the
right woman.”
Again, she smiles. As she
leaves my office, she appears much more hopeful then when she came in. She has
made a decision. I do not know if she will stay or go, but I know that no
matter what, she and Josh will get through it. Together.
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