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lakester.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crack_van2006-05-30 11:25 am
lakester.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2006-05-30 11:25 am
Entry tags:
Opportunity Cost by the stylus (PG13)
Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: CJ, Abbey
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
thestylus
Author Website: t.m.t.r.d
Why this must be read: Because personal really isn't the same as important, especially in the White House; and the position of First Lady is isolated from the hustle and bustle while still restricted by it.
The story is focussed on Abbey's return from her mother's funeral - with her family, but not with Jed - and her friendship with CJ, concerned about the state of her father's health. It captures both women very well, not only in the context of themselves, but also their separation from the boys' club. Abbey's reaction to the imminent loss of her medical licence rings very true.
Abbey looks away for a long moment, staring out of the window of the dining area into the darkness of the winter night. "You know," she begins, "I thought about developing a drinking problem. Just for the oblivion of it." One pale finger traces the rim of her glass: around and around. "To be able to blame this on something other than..." Her voice trails off.
She is wondering about Leo, C.J. is, sitting across the table from Abbey's profile. Wondering how much Abbey had seen, had known. Probably all of it, she decides. In one of his paternal moments with her, the President had once called his wife "my priest" so softly that C.J. hadn't been sure she'd heard correctly. But she's pretty sure that he's not the only one to come here for absolution.
"I resent my father," C.J. finds herself saying. "He calls me all the time but we can't have a conversation because he doesn't remember anything- what day of the week it is, where I work. Last week, he called because he wanted to know if I knew where Mom was. I had to tell him that she wasn't coming home again, ever." She looks down at her empty plate and blinks back the tears that suddenly threaten. "I keep wondering why, why if he forgets all that other stuff he can remember my number." She looks up, stricken and stretched thin to find Abbey looking back at her and the understanding in that face only makes her want to weep again. "I wish he would forget it."
Opportunity Cost
Pairing: CJ, Abbey
Author on LJ:
thestylusAuthor Website: t.m.t.r.d
Why this must be read: Because personal really isn't the same as important, especially in the White House; and the position of First Lady is isolated from the hustle and bustle while still restricted by it.
The story is focussed on Abbey's return from her mother's funeral - with her family, but not with Jed - and her friendship with CJ, concerned about the state of her father's health. It captures both women very well, not only in the context of themselves, but also their separation from the boys' club. Abbey's reaction to the imminent loss of her medical licence rings very true.
Abbey looks away for a long moment, staring out of the window of the dining area into the darkness of the winter night. "You know," she begins, "I thought about developing a drinking problem. Just for the oblivion of it." One pale finger traces the rim of her glass: around and around. "To be able to blame this on something other than..." Her voice trails off.
She is wondering about Leo, C.J. is, sitting across the table from Abbey's profile. Wondering how much Abbey had seen, had known. Probably all of it, she decides. In one of his paternal moments with her, the President had once called his wife "my priest" so softly that C.J. hadn't been sure she'd heard correctly. But she's pretty sure that he's not the only one to come here for absolution.
"I resent my father," C.J. finds herself saying. "He calls me all the time but we can't have a conversation because he doesn't remember anything- what day of the week it is, where I work. Last week, he called because he wanted to know if I knew where Mom was. I had to tell him that she wasn't coming home again, ever." She looks down at her empty plate and blinks back the tears that suddenly threaten. "I keep wondering why, why if he forgets all that other stuff he can remember my number." She looks up, stricken and stretched thin to find Abbey looking back at her and the understanding in that face only makes her want to weep again. "I wish he would forget it."
Opportunity Cost