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MY GUESTBOOK
It�s laughable how blind people are to what is right in front of them.
The OEOB was busier than I could remember seeing it. I was directed to Josh�s office by a haggard looking intern, though I was pretty sure I could find him by following the aura of panic and stress to where it was strongest because that would be where Josh was. Right in the thick of it.
As always.
Through the window I could see Josh shaving while reading a file and perching himself on the edge of his desk. I knew that the only rest Josh was allowing himself was during cab rides to and from meetings, and even then he would be working. He was going to end up killing himself at the rate he was going.
�I may have forgotten about the hours,� I said as I stopped in the doorway to Josh�s office.
He actually looked shocked at my presence.
�You�re here.�
The truth was that I knew he wasn�t.
�It would seem.�
Unfortunately neither was I.
�Outstanding. Here,� Josh said, picking up a pile of files off a chair and dropping them in my arms.
�Hey. Stop. Your sentimentality is embarrassing us both,� I said dryly as I adjusted the large stack of files I had just been given. �When was the last time you took a vacation?� On Josh�s blank look I elaborated. �Vacation. Time off from labour. Thought to be restorative; salubrious for body and soul,� I said, my inner speechwriter coming to the fore the way it had a tendency to do whenever I was around anyone from the Bartlet Administration. �Not to mention mental health,� I added, needing to take that little dig before moving on.
There was a moment�s pause where I wasn�t sure if Josh was going to faint of throw up or both. �I don�t remember.� I knew that, of course, but the fact that he admitted it was a testament to how he was feeling. The Josh Lyman I knew, the Josh who was at his peak, would be hiding behind humour and sarcasm. This Josh scared me.