Page 15 of The Crown

“Ugh!” the pillow hit the wall, his retreating figure already out the door.

7

Jo finished her speech and the entire room leapt to their feet in applause. Except Monique. She slowly stood, but did not applaud. Her scathing expression could have burned a surging hole through the crowd all the way to Jo.

“Look at Monique.” Trane, behind her, whispered, “Do you think you could do that expression when we get home?”

She snorted and bit her lip to keep from laughing. Instead, she waved and smiled at all the support in the room. They were good people, willing to support a great cause. Torren was almost a completely literate nation. They would keep working, keep reaching, keep searching for those who need to learn and help them. She was so proud of the queen’s cause and took it on as her own.

Even as she thought it, Nico leaned over and whispered. “And now on to the new queen’s cause.” His eyes shown with love. Then he stood to speak.

“We pledge to continue with this great cause for a fully literate Torren until every last citizen can read. And every child is supported as they learn.”

The room erupted again in applause. When they quieted, he added, “And we would like to add another group of citizens to our watch care.”

Jo sucked in her breath. She suspected…

“The elderly among us.”

He held out a hand. “Will all the grandparents in the room please stand?”

They did, and those in wheel chairs waved from their spots up front.

“Thank you.” He motioned for them to sit. Then he reached behind him for Jo. She stood up at his side immediately. He spoke to the group of the growing percentage of their population who were aging. He talked of the lack of centers of recreation or venues that would cater to their age group. “One by-product of all of our aging is that our memory suffers. But there are studies that show we can delay the process. We can continue with active minds well into the latter portions of our lives. Alzheimer’s can be stalled. New neural pathways can be built. It is our goal,” He held up their linked hands. “To offer more to our elderly citizens. And we have donated a portion of our land to build a full, comprehensive center, complete with the latest research, activities, and staff who can provide entertainment, as well as care, to our elderly citizens.”

The crowd again erupted in applause. A few of the news reporters scribbled furiously on their pads. Jo’s tears fell down her face. She smiled with as much love as she could muster through tears into Nico’s eyes. “Thank you.”

He kissed her cheek. “You’re welcome.”

The cameras flashed. There would be nothing but good news to report today.

She rode home from the event with her father. Nico and the others stayed to handle some details of the center.

“I love what you are doing, Jo.” Her father leaned back in his chair, a tired and somewhat concerned expression on his face. “But you don’t need to do this for me.”

Surprised at his reaction, she leaned forward. “Of course I do. Whatever we can, to give you a better life now.” She moved across the limo to sit beside him. “And it’s not just for you, Dad. These efforts will help fund further research geared toward an eventual cure.” She didn’t say it, but it gave her a lump in her throat to think that whatever research or cures they discovered would be too late for her father.

“If you are certain Jo, because of all the causes in all the world, you don’t need to do this for me.” He seemed troubled. And she worried for the first time, in a long time, if his old anxiety and fears were resurfacing. She hadn’t had as many concerns for him since the start of his new medicine. But the doctors had said the medicine wouldn’t work to cure him, it could only delay symptoms.

“Dad. I love you. Now, tell me how you think it went, the reaction of those around you.”

He grinned. “They seemed to love you. As they should.” The pride shining from his face warmed her.

“We can do some good here, Dad. This whole thing is a remarkable opportunity.” She paused, trying to hide her fears.

“What is it? What is troubling you?” He placed his wrinkled aging hand on her own.

“I just hope I am up for it, you know?” She fidgeted. “Queen.” There she’d said it to the safest person she knew, but she trembled with fear inside at his response.

“Of course you are Jo. You can do anything you put your heart into.” He winked. “And from what I can tell, your heart is engaged.”

She felt her face go red. And she didn’t even try to hide it. “I love him. Even more than before. I think I’m going to be very happy.”

Before he could answer, shouts outside the limo startled them both. They were pulling into the palace gates at the base of the canyon and people lined the streets and stood at either side of the entrance carrying signs, shouting, marching. A crazed face approached their window shouting, “Keep out!” Another shouted, “Reform your own country.”

She used the intercom to speak to the driver. “What’s going on?” She tried to keep her voice steady.

Her phone dinged with a text. “Are you in the palace?”

---