The lack of definition in their relationship probably accounted for some of the lack of traces of Donna, I was sure, but that didn�t make it seem any less unnatural.
�In fact,� I continued, �you should just buy a lot of things when you get there. You said somewhere tropical, which means you�re going to need a bathing suit. Other than that time you were so drunk that you thought you were on fire I have never seen you swim�you didn�t even swim that time, you just sort of flopped around in the tidal pool�so a bathing suit, as well as sandals of some kind should go on your list.�
�I�d already thought about that,� Josh said proudly. I looked at him, eyebrow arched sceptically. �Okay, Donna thought about that, but I did think about making a list before she told me to buy a bathing suit. I even had some things on it.�
He round a pad of paper and handed it to me before disappearing into his bedroom. I read over his list. Other than �bathing suit� and �sandals� Josh also had �sun block�, �beach towels�, �some kind of sun hat thing� and �disposable cameras X 4�. I assumed the cameras, or at least the specific number, were also Donna�s suggestion.
I added �toothpaste� to his list and, as an afterthought, I scribbled �condoms�, just in case he hadn�t thought to pack any that hadn�t expired.
Josh came back into the living room with a bunch of clothes that he dumped into the suitcase before tossing a couple of books on top and zipping it up. If he had more time I would have insisted he fold everything, not only because it was going to make all his clothes wrinkly but also because it was going to drive Donna crazy, but there was no time for that. Donna was just going to have to deal with that facet of Josh when they got where they were going.
Which I still didn�t know the exact location of.
Josh would only tell me was �Hawaii�.
Hawaii is made up of approximately 137 islands, including the eight �big islands�, the 11 �north-western islands�, and the 19 islands and atolls, not to mention the islets and seamounts.
�You�ve dealt with your fridge?� I asked as Josh started going around to make sure that the windows and doors were locked and the lights were out. I took that time to check his backpack to make sure he wasn�t taking any work with him.
�That was easy this time. I haven�t been grocery shopping since I was still at the White House,� Josh replied with a smirk once he returned to the living room. He shouldered his backpack that contained a book, some gum, his pager that was for emergencies only, and a couple of spiral notebooks and pens.
Josh stopped at the front door. �You think she�ll actually come?� he asked, sounding incredibly vulnerable.