Disclaimer: Jeez, if you think I own `em, you're even crazier than I
thought. They belong to folks like Aaron Sorkin, et al, who don't
know I'm playing with their toys. Shhhh, don't tell.
Archiving: Sure. Archive away, ye webmasters.
Rating: call it PG.
Author's notes: My first story in a while. College is busy, and I'm
lazy.
More Author's notes: This story explores a relationship that we don't
know much about, but I imagine it plays a very important role in the
undercurrents of a relationship that we DO know about -- relationship
that we learn more of in Noel. Which I haven't watched yet. (Stupid
real politics!) But I'm weak and read some spoilers from Canada.
We've never seen one of these characters, and to underscore that I've
decided to write this is a slightly different style. Just call me
Bram Stoker. Hope you like it.
Spoilers: A little bit from Noel, but really nothing that the teasers
wouldn't tell you, and three lines in ITSOTG2. I'm about to write
them down, so if you don't want to know, quit now.
"Come to Nashua Thursday night."
"Why?"
"Because that's what sons do for old friends of their fathers."
Friend of the Father
By bluejeans
Human lives are fleeing. At first glance, this seems to be a terrible
tragedy. But perhaps not. Perhaps it is the very fragility of life
that makes it so precious.
Though a life can disappear, the effect of that life echoes on. In
the history of the planet, there has not a single life that has been
completely worthless. Every person who has ever lived has left some
sort of impression on a friend, a lover, an enemy, a child. The
impact of a single being can sweep across generations and indirectly
touch people who never knew each other. Usually, this effect is
intangible, only noticeable to those who knew the departed.
But sometimes we get lucky.
Sometimes words remain. They need only be collected. Once this is
done, the words can stand alone as proof that someone once filled the
hollow places in a living heart.
*****************
Office of Housing
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Mich.
July 1, 1962
Dear Mr. Noah Lyman:
Thank you for choosing university housing! I know you have many
living alternatives during college, but I think you will be pleased
with your choice. The activities you participate in here and the
friends that you make will undoubtedly enrich your life for years to
come.
Your assigned roommate for the fall semester is:
Leo McGarry
1647 E. Maple
Boston, Mass.
You may want to contact your roommate before the school year begins
in order to coordinate the supplies will make life in university
housing more comfortable.
Please review the housing agreement enclosed. Sign and return the
appropriate sections.
See you in the fall!
Sincerely,
John Smith, Director, University Housing.
***************
Hey Leo,
It's Sunday evening at about 8. When you get back from visiting your
friend at Notre Dame, come over to Jack's. We're playing cards. Bring
your wallet. After last time, you owe me!
Noah
****************
Noah,
I really don't know how to say this. I guess the blunt way is best.
Here goes.
I'm not going to be able to go to law school with you in the fall
like we planned. I've enlisted in Navy flight training. I know this
is probably crazy. And I know you don't care for the war. Neither do
I. But . . . I feel in my bones that if I didn't enlist, I'd get
drafted into the Army. This way is better. At least I won't be on the
ground.
I'm going to serve my country, Noah. Is that so wrong?
Leo
************
My dear idiot friend
No, dammit. I don't pretend to understand, but . . .
At least write me.
Shalom, buddy.
************
Dear Mr. Josiah Barlet,
You don't know me, but I hope you've heard of me. My name is Noah
Lyman, and I'm a friend of Leo McGarry's. I know you're his friend
too, so I'm hoping you can help.
I'm writing you to ask if you've heard anything from Leo recently. I
haven't received a letter from him in over a month, and I'm getting
worried.
Thanks
A friend of a friend,
Noah Lyman
*************
Dear Noah,
Of course I've heard of you!
No, I haven't heard anything from Leo either. I've been calling his
sisters and mother almost every day to see if they have any news.
They're nearly frantic too. Frankly, I'm getting very worried. It's
not like him to quit writing all of us. I'm just clinging to the
knowledge that he's as tough as a bulldog and wouldn't go down
without a fight.
I'll write you if I hear anything, and would appreciate it if you
would do the same favor for me.
Jed Barlet
************
From: Lt. Leo McGarry, US Navy
To: Noah Lyman
Sorry I haven't written in a while. I was . . . otherwise engaged.
But I'm fine, pretty much. I'll be able to come home soon, at least.
*************
So, Mr. Hot-Shot Lawyer, do you still give free advice?
I'm going to start off this story, as all stories start: there's this
girl, see . . .
No, really! Jennifer. Pretty name, isn't it? Even prettier girl. So
how does an ugly, half-crippled, former flight jockey Mick ask a
pretty girl on a date now days?
I'm waiting for your wise response with breathless anticipation.
*************
It's a girl! We're going to call her Joanie! She's 7 pounds, 2
ounces. Come visit!
**************
A boy this time, Leo! A boy! We were thinking Ebenezer . . . no, just
kidding. Joshua is a good name, don't you think? 8 pounds. You've
got to try this fatherhood thing. There is no other feeling like it
in the world, old friend.
**************
I've got a daughter! Mallory O'Brian McGarry, 5 pounds 5 ounces. A
little small, but she's doing fine. She's got red hair and looks
nothing like me, thank heavens! Mallory gave Jenny a tough time. It
looks like she might be our only one. And I'm going to kill the first
boy that looks at her.
**************
Dear Noah,
I don't know what to say. I don't think I was much help on the
telephone this afternoon. I was too stunned. Maybe I'll do better
in a letter, but I wouldn't count on it.
Noah, I'm so sorry. Joanie was so beautiful and talented. That her
smiles and her hugs are gone forever seems unbearable to me . . . I
can't imagine what you're going through right now. I don't have the
words to make it better. I can only tell you, from experience, that
the sting of death goes away after a time. The ache will always
remain, but sweetness will return to your life.
Do you remember the time she was at our house and played that piano
piece? I thought it was amazing that she sight-read the music. You
thought it was amazing that she could play the piano since she'd
never done it before. Or what about when she asked where Josh came
from? You went into the whole "your mother and I love each other
very much" story. She waited patiently until you were done, and then
told you that she just wanted an address so she could write a thank-
you letter to whoever brought her little brother. Those are the
memories to cling to!
Remember you do have a son! One child remains! If nothing else,
remember him. Joanie loved her little brother so much! A part of her
lives on in him. If you need some time alone, send Josh to me for a
while. Jenny and I will take care of him. Hopefully he's little
enough that he won't remember any of this.
I love you, my friend. Someday things will be better.
See you soon
Leo
**************
Hello Leo,
I have a favor to ask you. My son (you know, the Fulbright
Scholar . . . maybe I haven't mentioned that to you?) is moving to
Washington to get involved in politics. I would have liked him to
come to Debevoise & Plimpton with me, but he seems bent on throwing
himself on the altar of government. It's your corrupting influence, I
know.
Anyhow, he's coming to Washington. Keep an eye on him for me, will
you? Be there if he needs you, quietly help him along, open doors
for him before he even knows what doors he needs to walk through . . .
Josh knows you're around, and I told him that he can always turn to
you if he gets in trouble. If he must be away from us, I feel better
knowing that you're near.
As always, thank you.
NL
**************
Dear Mr. Secretary of Labor,
Congratulations, Leo! I've been going around telling all the
neighbors that I have a friend in the president's cabinet. They are
thoroughly sick of me, though I'm not quite as bad as when Josh was
admitted to Harvard and then to Yale (I told you about that, right?)
I feel important. I'm proud of you. Can I stay in the Lincoln
bedroom? Kidding, of course.
Sincerely,
A citizen of the country you're serving yet again,
And your friend,
Noah Lyman
**************
You're a moron. Jenny just called again, frantic about you. I told
her to come and stay with us for a while. You stupid, bullheaded
idiot! Don't you know what you're doing to your wife and daughter?
You're an alcoholic, Leo, and you know perfectly well what that
means. Jenny thinks you're on drugs too. You work for the president,
for crying out loud! What happens when the press finds out? If you
don't clean yourself up, you're going to lose everything, including
me. Do you want that? Get help. Get it now.
**************
Hello Leo
Noah asked me to write this letter to you for him. He's quite weak,
but we're all optimistic that he'll beat the cancer. He's back in the
hospital for more surgery. Hopefully this time they will get it all.
Even through the pain and the nausea, he's worried about Josh. He's
also worried about the squirrels that run our house. In his mind,
the two problems have the same significance, ha ha. No, in truth he
really is concerned for Josh. You know how Noah gets. Josh is working
on Senator Hoynes' campaign, and he's obviously miserable. When he
calls home he tries to brush it off, but it seems to me that this
Senator is wasting Josh's talents.
Maybe you can think of a way to help him. To be honest, if you could
get Josh off of this hollow man's campaign, it would probably be the
for best. I know you're busy, but if you could just talk to my boy I
think it would help.
Oh, and if you know any pretty Washington girls, I would like
grandchildren someday. Maybe you could give Josh a shove in the
right direction?
Love
Sarah (and Noah)
************
Dear Noah,
Obviously, you're not going to get this letter. But you were always a
man of faith. Maybe you know what I'm saying. I hope so, because I
need you right now.
Josh is hurt. He was shot. He's in the hospital, maybe dying.
Probably dying. He's going to die.
I've done what you asked. I've watched Josh for ten years, watched
him become a brilliant political operative, watched him fall in love,
though he doesn't know it yet, watched him become a man. I've
protected him where I could, let him take lumps when I thought it was
good for him, but right now I can't do anything more. I can't close a
hole in his chest or put air in his lungs, for godsake. It's your
turn to watch, Noah.
Help him.
Oh, my friend, make him live. He's all I have of you.
************
Dear Noah,
Today, as I watched your son yell at the President of the United
States in the Oval Office, I could imagine your letter to me:
"Dear Leo" – I could see the words in my head – "I'm worried about my
son. Since I'm not there, could you help him?"
Yes, I will.
I've been in the same hole he's in. I'll get him out. You have my
word, old friend. I won't leave him alone. And as long as I can
remember the words that you would say to him, I know you won't leave
him either.
Leo
*************