Rating: G
Disclaimer: Yep, yep
This is my take on the follow up to Asogist's "Dear Abby." It can be found here: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/CJDannyFanFic/message/7557
But here's the story thus far:
Dear Abby,
My friend, "Jane," recently began dating a really nice guy, "Rick," who got divorced last year. Jane and Rick dated in college. It didn't work out, but they remained friends. Here's the problem: Rick is still in love with his ex-wife, and Jane is in love with a guy we work with, "Fred." Jane believes she can't date Fred because they work together. I'm glad Jane and Rick can offer each other some comfort, but I worry that their relationship will prevent both from getting on with their lives. Is there anything anyone can do?
Clueless from Connecticut
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I'm done with this, but if anyone wants to write Abby's response or CJ's response when she reads this in the advice column, or other people's letters to Dear Abby in response to this one, I'm interested in reading them. :)
****
She slammed the paper onto her desk. "Joshua!"
She was sure the building went silent for a moment after her scream, but Josh didn't appear at her door.
"Carol!"
Carol peeked in hesitantly. "Yeah?"
"Get Josh over here now."
Carol nodded and hurried to do as CJ asked, glad to turn the anger over to Josh.
A few minutes later, Josh wandered in. "What's up?"
"Close the door." CJ told him through clenched lips.
He stared at her, wide-eyed, before whispering, "Do I have to?"
CJ stomped to the door and slammed it, glad when Josh winced. She moved back to her desk and grabbed the newspaper, waving it at Josh. "Are you an idiot?"
"What?" Josh stared at her, a confused expression on his face. "What did I do this time?"
She threw the paper at him, vaguely upset when he caught it.
He held it up. "Which article?"
"Dear Abby."
"You read Dear Abby?" Josh raised an eyebrow at her, forgetting for a moment how angry she was.
Her eyes widened. "My mother and I used to read it to each other every- shut up! Just look at it."
He shrugged and glanced down. "The first letter?"
"Yes." She stood silently as he quickly read.
"Okay. And?"
"You wrote it."
Josh laughed shortly. "What are you talking about? You think I'd write to Abby? Wait, you think you're Jane?"
"Josh." she warned him. "Don't mess with me."
He studied it again. "And Rick is Ben?"
"You wrote the stupid thing, you should know."
"Who's Fred?"
CJ fell silent, glaring at him.
"You said this was you." Josh persisted. "Ben's still in love with his ex-wife?"
CJ hesitated, then nodded. "I thought you knew that."
"And you're in love with someone we work with. Tell me it's not Leo."
CJ laughed and relaxed a little. "It's not Leo." Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hand as she realized what she had said.
"But you're in love with someone here?" Josh persisted, his expression one of confusion. "Who?"
CJ opened her mouth, then closed it again when no words came out. She dropped her hand to her hip as her body collapsed slightly.
"CJ?" Josh whispered.
"I have to dump Ben." CJ whispered back. "That letter isn't me, but it's exactly... It's not fair to him. Or me. Or..." she closed her eyes.
"CJ."
"Or Danny. It's not fair to Danny." She opened her eyes. When they met Josh's, he saw they were filled with tears.
He shook his head. "No, it's not fair to Danny. But I'm most worried about you." He dropped his voice again. "You know, I have a feeling Danny will be back soon."
Her expression turned hopeful. "Really?"
"Don't give up on him, CJ." Josh told her, giving her an awkward hug.
She smiled. "Get out of my office."
Josh smiled back, glad she seemed to be feeling better. "You okay?"
"No." CJ stood tall, the tears gone. "But I will be."
Josh nodded. He left her then, to go send Danny an email urging him to return. On his way back to his office, he began thinking of another note he had to write.
Dear Abby,
Thanks from "Clueless from Connecticut." You published my letter and "Jane" has now figured out who she really wants, thanks to seeing it in print. Things aren't perfect yet, but...
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