Page 37 of Ace

“I can see that being a good thing.”

“Great PR, I bet we get even more donations, more missions.” His eyebrows wiggled.

“What would I do without all this energy?”

“It’s your energy we need to clone. You’re a hero around here.”

She laughed. “It is nice to be home for a while though, I will admit.” She lifted her files on the table. “Let’s talk about what we need to pitch to the senator.”

“We have three more orphanages or potentials in the Pacific Islands.”

She nodded. “So priority situation. And then perhaps some continued promises of aid?”

“Always good.”

They talked some more strategy, and the more they brainstormed and planned, the more she was able to explain why some issues were more important than others, the more grateful she was for this time at home. Their efforts would be much more efficient and relevant to the people they were trying to help.

A young woman peeked her head inside. “Senator Callison is here.”

Gianna stood up. “Great, send him in.” Her mouth dropped as the senator entered with what looked like a whole news crew. His gaze scanned the large room and then rested on her. “And there she is, right there.” He waved. “Gianna.”

She raised her hand, finding a smile, but more than anything, she was wondering what he was doing.

As soon as he was in front of her, the news crew had caught up and cameras were rolling.

“I hope you don’t mind. These good folks followed me from the office, so I invited them in. Let them ask their questions and give them the great news about everything you’re doing.”

“Absolutely!” Her smile felt more natural. “Why don’t you come on in here?”

She clicked the remote, and a global map with her orphanages marked filled the opposite wall. If they stuck around, she’d go through the whole press kit slideshow.

“You see on this wall all the homes we’ve been able to set up and teach the locals how to maintain. It’s quite remarkable.”

“And where were you just recently?” The senator stood at her side.

She lifted her finger to point to Panau. “This island right here has some of the most incredible people in the world. They’re industrious and good to each other. And they’re in a bit of a tough spot right now.”

“What is your take on the takeover in the Pacific?”

She nodded slowly, giving herself some time to think. “I think it is usually better to let countries govern themselves.”

“Do you support an active military presence to encourage the swift departure of Mantuk?”

“I feel that those kinds of decisions should be made by those who have all the information in front of them. But I do support aid. Lots of aid to help those most affected by this international situation. It should not prevent basic sustenance from reaching those who are desperate for aid.”

They held phones up to record her words.

“If I could, I would like to thank you on behalf of my dear friends on these islands. I wish you could see the face of a hungry child after he’s finally eaten, the light turn on in an adult’s face who finally learns to read. The village that has fresh water. Your work to support our organization has worked to keep people in a sustainable lifestyle. And they would like to thank you.”

She clicked her remote and a ten-second clip of children holding up food and clothes and saying thank you in all their different dialects.

Her heart ached for those people.

When the clip ended, the senator clapped his hands a couple times. “And I think we’re going to get to our meeting now. If you’ll make your way back out the front there, we will take some time in here.”

They looked like they might stick around, but a couple of his staff held out their hands and shepherded the news crew toward the door.

As soon as they left, the staff members returned and shut the doors.

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