Page 17 of The Crown

She swallowed.

The queen reached for his hand. “We could have never predicted such a reaction. But it looks as though the citizens’ response to your Alzheimer’s initiative is predominantly negative.” She shook her head. “They haven’t rallied like this in over a decade. Their complaints are many, but the tourism department is concerned we will get an influx of elderly tourists and it will destroy the more active part of their industry, the tours, the hikes, zip lining, jet-skis and similar things. The literacy community is upset because they incorrectly feel this will divert funds and resources from our initiative to have a fully literate nation.”

Jo shook her head again.

The queen held up her hand. “I know you are as dedicated to the cause as we all are. And we thank you.”

She adjusted the papers to her front. “But what matters here is what the people understand.”

Jo listened, still unsure what the family thought. What did the king and queen want to do about this?

The king continued. “We have not yet pinpointed the cause of the initial complaint, the one who is exciting the press. But we agree that this outrage is a concerted and organized effort, and we have people working on the origin.

Nico fidgeted in his seat. His phone dinged again and he turned it upside down. “Groups have been courting me, pestering me for months, years even, to choose this cause or that one. But I always knew I hadn’t heard the right cause yet.”

Jo needed some clarification. “But is there not room for more than one cause? Why can we not lend our voice of support to many?”

“The new crown generally assumes the causes of past monarchs, like the literacy effort. But with that cause, at last we have succeeded. And we can thank our current queen for the vast success. Which places us now in the happy situation to be the first in many generations, to choose a new direction, to map a trajectory for future monarchs.” He leaned back and turned his electric blue eyes on her. They seemed bothered, stressed, sad even. “Whatever cause we choose as our main initiative is guaranteed success. We make it so.”

The strength of his declaration struck her, filled her with love for him. “And you chose my idea for my non-profit for this?” Her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you. I didn’t realize what a huge gesture that was.” She was so touched, but felt a need to not be the reason the country was in an upheaval of complaint. “Is there a way to alter our chosen effort? To perhaps have a dual effort? I don’t mind supporting any number of other things.”

The king shook his head. “If we backpedal now, we show our weakness and it diminishes your cause.”

Her father cleared his throat. “Might I say something?”

Jo was touched by the deference they showed him as they gave him their full attention.

“I feel responsible for this direction of Jo’s heart. Naturally she has the desire to help ease my situation. But we all know that whatever comes of the research, the attention, will be too late for me.”

Jo’s eyes filled with tears again, and she squeezed his hand.

“But Jo, if you need to step away from this, to give it less attention to smooth over the upheaval, I won’t think you love me any less.”

Francisco cleared his throat. “Thank you Mr. Finley, but I have decided. We will move forward with the Alzheimer’s and elderly research.” He drank from his cup. “And we will consider how much of the crown’s support to give to these other causes, like the environmental concerns Jo has also mentioned.”

The king sat back, a spark of pride lighting his eyes. “I must say Jo has already been a remarkable addition to our Valdez team. Stirring up trouble and urging us all to seek other ways to make a difference.”

Nico’s phone rang. His eyes glanced from Jo to his phone and back. “I should take this.”

“Who could you possibly need to talk to right now?” His father’s tone demanded an answer.

“Monique.”

“Oh Brother, what could she want?”

Nico waved them off and left the room. An uncomfortable silence settled, and Jo said, “She’s been texting him, and he says she is trying to help.”

Daniel humphed and Trane raised an eyebrow.

Jo laughed but it sounded hollow. “And I’m sure you can guess how much I believe that.” She lifted one side of her mouth.

“You are wise to see her for what she is.” The queen nodded in her direction. “But she is a valuable resource, has her fingers in the public relations of this nation better than most of us.”

The king turned on the television.

Images of her father played out across the screen. Jo gasped, watching her father. They showed the marina, with the manager they hired to keep things going while they were gone. They had images of her father coming out of the hospital after his first visit, when he was originally diagnosed. His eyes, wide, fearful, his hair mussed, carrying a hospital bag, the big plastic ones that hold all your belongings.

Then it showed his nurse, June, their house, and their town.

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