"A Letter to a Friend"
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Sorkin, et al. I am a college student on Winter break
who is looking to stay busy but not be sued.
Dear Josh,
I spent a great deal of time thinking about this letter before writing it. The fact that I
have put pen to paper or finger to keyboard, in truth, says many things. We became very
close friends during the campaign. In doing so, we promised to always be there for each
other. Lately, that seems not to be the case, Josh, and I am very concerned. You are not
yourself. Neither am I, for that fact. I don't honestly know how to bring this up, to
broach the subject face to face. I'm so good with words when it deals with others'
problems, fears or scandals. Usually when it comes to my friends, I am right there.
Lately, though, I feel that I am falling short in that area as well, especially when it
comes to you.
You seem to be moving away from me and I don't know where you are going. Do you? Please
let me in. I am here for you in whatever way you need. I cannot help you with the details
of that night because they are only just now, and very slowly at that, coming back to me.
Eventually I will need to talk to someone about that night but right now it is you who
needs to speak. Joking around or yelling at everyone is not going to help. Please remember
that I am always here for you. Whenever and wherever you need me, just call and please
know that whatever I am doing, I will stop for you.
All my love,
CJ
CJ dropped the letter enclosed in the envelope on her friend's desk. Quickly returning
to her office, she prepared for her next meeting with the Press. Upon the completion of
the final briefing of the day, she intended to return to her office and, hopefully, go
home at a decent hour for once. Josh called her name as she was passing through the
corridor outside his office. She hesitated a split second before entering.
"Hey, Claudia Jean, how's tricks?"
"What? Are you okay, Joshua, because...."
"Because you're worried about me." He finished her sentence for her.
"First, I would like to say, thank you, and second, I would like to say that your
concern, although greatly appreciated, is not necessary."
"How can you say that? You have been going through hell lately. Even though you're in
therapy, you're not automatically healed, Josh. It takes time."
He stood up before he spoke. "What do you want me to do, CJ? Do you want me to cry?
Do you want me to scream? Oh, no, you mentioned that I do too much of that already. Do you
want me to sit down and talk endlessly because I don't know what to say or where I'm going
with anything?"
"Yes, that." She closed the door and moved closer to his desk.
"I listed three things, CJ, help me out here." He was looking paler then he had
when she first walked in.
"I want you to go some place with me, Josh, whether it be my place, your place, a bar
or the park, and talk to me until you can't anymore. I want you to let me see Josh, my
friend, because I miss him. I need to know that he's still here." Her eyes misted
over as she spoke, hoping that Josh would hear and understand the urgency of her plea.
He sat back down, running his hand through his hair. "When?"
"Whenever you want. Wherever, you pick the place." She was waiting although she
was not sure if he was going to answer her right now. Suddenly, he got up, walked around
the desk, and threw his arms around her. Holding her tightly, his body shook a bit and she
realized that he was crying. She held onto him tightly whispering assurances that he would
be all right and that she was there for him.
Leaving the office together that night, their arms linked around each other's, CJ knew
it was only the beginning of the path of healing for her friend but he was allowing her to
travel it with him; and for that, she was grateful.
The End
|