Started 4/30/02
Title: ???
Author: Christine
Spoilers: Anything up until now.
Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be.
Notes: Answer to the 2nd anniversary challenge. (Yes, I realize I’m very slow.)
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“I don’t understand him sometimes. He’s got these pajamas – they’re, like, 2 sizes too big – that he insists on wearing. What kind of grown man --?” Amy stopped when she noticed that Donna’s hand had flown to her mouth and she was staring at her wide-eyed.
“He still has the pajamas,” she whispered to herself.
“Donna, are you OK?” Amy asked. Normally, she didn’t worry about Donna, but her deer-in-the-headlight look and Josh’s recent moods made her wonder what she was missing.
“Amy, I can’t… I can’t talk right now. I have to go,” Donna said in a rush. She turned abruptly and dashed in the direction of the Ladies’ Room.
CJ noticed Donna’s swift departure and cautiously approached a stunned Amy.
“What happened?”
“I’m not sure. I was talking to her while I waited for Josh. I just mentioned that I was worried about him lately. And then I mentioned these really big pajamas he has. Something about the pajamas set her off.” Amy explained.
“Oh,” CJ said with a knowing nod. “Listen, Amy. Be gentle on Josh this week. It’s a bad time of the year for him. For all of us. Excuse me, I need to go find Donna. And remember – be gentle on Josh.” With a last look at Amy, CJ walked off toward the nearest Ladies Room and found Donna hunched over the sink.
“Donna, honey, are you OK? What happened?” CJ asked in a gentle voice. Donna was normally so calm and even tempered, even when Josh was being a jackass. To see her this upset worried CJ.
Donna looked up at her with wet eyes and tearstained cheeks. She tried to manage a brave smile, but failed miserably. “Oh, CJ, it’s just… she mentioned his pajamas – you know, the ones you got him around the midterms – and, well… It’s silly.”
“Whatever made you cry like this is NOT silly. Tell me what happened. Did Amy say something hurtful? Did Josh?”
“No, nothing like that.”
She looked less pale and a little more composed, but CJ was still concerned. “Then what?”
“I didn’t know he still had the pajamas,” she whispered. “And it’s May. Everything always happens in May.” At this last part, she started to cry again, but it wasn’t the devastating sobs from earlier. This time her tears were calmer, almost like a relief of emotion flowing out of her.
“Donna, it’s OK. Josh is still alive. He’s still with us,” CJ reassured her.