“Thank you for respecting the privacy of the women inside,” Olivia commends. “I will not comment on any of their stories—they aren’t mine to tell. I do have time for a few questions, but only if you continue to respect the work that this shelter does. You in the black blazer.”
“Ms. Harris. Patricia Brown from News 4. You mentioned to another reporter earlier that you’ve been volunteering for years. Could you please explain why you’re still volunteering today as a newly elected official?”
“Someone I care deeply about told me I was meant to lead, but he’s wrong—I’m meant to serve,” Olivia explains, and I pause with my fork halfway to my mouth. Someone she cares deeply about? There’s no way she’s talking about me, but after what she admitted last night, maybe she is. “Just as I intend on serving my state, giving my time isn’t enough, because I’m only one person. Food and shelter are basic needs, and as Governor, I intend to ensure both are addressed on my first day in office—with an emphasis on children and women in shelters like this one. It’s not enough; we need to do more. This should come as no surprise, as it was one of my campaign promises. And, yes, I will still be volunteering for the foreseeable future. Next question. The man in green.”
“Bill Richards, San Francisco Media Group. Follow-up to the question from News 4: how do you intend to address food insecurity here in California?”
“We have to start small, but as I’ve mentioned during the campaign, we’ll expand our program that provides breakfast and lunch to all school-aged children,” she replies matter-of-factly. “It’s a baby step, but a necessary one to ensure no child is hungry, regardless of income. We’ll also partner with shelters to help take care of our unhoused population, who rarely have access to enough food and water.”
Olivia goes on to answer several more questions, all of her replies polished but not rehearsed. She’s right on all accounts, and we need to do more here in Canada too—globally, really.
One of my staffers knocks on my open door before walking in to remind me of my video call with President Taylor in a few minutes. I open my laptop and click on the secure video link to begin our call. The image is black for a moment, and I’m surprised when the video appears that it’s Ileah on the call instead of Jaclyn.
“Good afternoon, Madam Vice President,” I greet, adjusting the volume on my laptop before she speaks. My last call was with a diplomat who spoke so softly I could barely hear her at maximum volume, and I need to shift it before Ileah speaks or it could blow out my speakers. “Congratulations on your win last night.”
“Thank you. Sorry Jaclyn couldn’t be here. I’m sure you saw the news about the storm in the Midwest? She’s been busy speaking with state and local officials this afternoon. I’m just glad there were no casualties.”
“I saw and completely understand,” I hedge, making a mental note to look into it later. I can’t seem to recall a single damn thing in American news today other than the final election results and the report on Olivia. It’s my own fault for being distracted. “I’ll admit, I was surprised to see the last-minute request a few hours ago to meet with me so soon after the election. If it’s regarding the storm, what can I assist with?”
“Not the storm, actually. As you know, Jaclyn and I are not of the same political party. When there are issues that we both feel passionately about, we have to assess what makes the most sense for who will be championing the policy or program that we want to bring attention to. What I’d like to discuss with you falls under my umbrella. Olivia Harris is making waves out in California as one of the youngest to be elected. Even before today with the viral videos, she’s suggested nationwide nutrition programs for children, and the President and I would like to make it an international campaign. We’re going to approach Olivia about it once she’s sworn in as Governor.”
“I’ve seen a few headlines about it,” I muse, “but I’m unsure why any of this would involve me.”
“We were thinking we could start with a global summit,” she beams. “You’ve worked tirelessly with the UN to help women and children in addressing food scarcity, so we were hoping you’d join us in creating a coalition of sorts. And we were hoping you would be open to hosting it.”
“Host?”
“Yes. Maybe including symposiums featuring experts,” she replies, not skipping a beat. “Canada has championed many of the policies the United States still has yet to adopt. It’s the best choice.”
“I’m sure we can work something out,” I hesitantly agree, but am flattered by her assertion.
“I’m certain Olivia Harris would want to be involved in the planning.”
“Olivia? Yes, I’m sure she would as well. When were you thinking?”
“The sooner the better so we can capitalize on the media attention. We could announce this week and plan for February or March once she’s sworn in. I know it isn’t a lot of time, but President Taylor and I are in agreement that we need to address this sooner than later. Strike while the iron’s hot. We can assist with some of the planning, but will need Canada to be the leader in presenting this as your own to avoid the attention on us. The President’s base wasn't exactly fond of the idea when we did initial polling.”
“How the hell do the two of you work so well together?” I ask with a huffed laugh. “I can’t get anyone to agree on anything here, and the two of you won the last two elections being in oppositional parties.”
“We agree on important things and compromise to achieve them. It helps that we’ve been friends since college. Jaclyn is more conservative than I am, which is why we need to make this look like it’s America partnering with Canada, not the other way around,” Ileah remarks hopefully, then mutes as she glances up to talk to someone. When she unmutes, she adds, “I’m about to step into a meeting with Governor-elect Harris, but if you’re able to help us?—”
“We’ll do it,” I blurt. While I’m agreeing to this mostly because it’ll mean Olivia’s involved, it’s an important issue.
“Wonderful. Thank you, Isaac.” Ileah’s smile is wide, and she reminds me so much of Olivia with her dark hair and crimson lipstick. They could almost be sisters. “I’ll have my assistant reach out to gather details, but on a personal note, I’m truly grateful for your help. I’ve been complaining to my husband that we needed to push this issue for the past decade, and now I have the perfect stage to help not only Americans, but children and their families globally. We’ve never had an opportunity like this.”
“I agree, and be sure to tell Finn I said hello,” I chuckle.
“I will. I’m sure he’ll convince you to have a drink with him when you’re here for the inauguration."
From the few encounters I’ve had with Finn Gallagher and his brother, Mickey, they’re passionate about the same causes I am. I’ll admit, upon hearing how Finn waited over a decade to be with Ileah when he proposed to her publicly, jealousy speared my chest—I won’t have the same luck.
After we hang up, I close my laptop and pick up my office phone to check in with one of my assistants about looking into venues. Olivia should be leading this, not me. Worse, she’ll be here for this conference, close enough I can touch her, and I won’t be able to. Watching news coverage is one thing, being in the same room with Livy and not wanting to set her on a conference table to feast on her for an hour will be nearly impossible.
Hosting this summit is a mistake, but it’s for the greater good. I have to risk seeing her again, even if I’ll be fantasizing about stealing her for myself the entire time.
If she doesn’t come, I’m going to spend the rest of my life wondering if the few months we spent together were in myhead. Best case, we work with the UN to promote programs for women, children, and the unhoused.
Worst case…
