An American Cinderella

“Perfect,” he said, pulling out the blanket and setting it on the floor. He put the basket smack in the center and began pulling out food items.

“You really did bring me a picnic,” I said, watching as he pulled out a roast chicken, bread, cheese, veggie sticks, a bottle of wine, and some sort of delicious looking potato salad.

“The weather was so nice the other day that I wanted to eat outside with you,” he explained. “But, I couldn’t get away.”

I looked around at the private picnic he had just created for me. “This is perfect,” I told him. “Plus, we don’t have to worry about weather or bugs.”

As if hearing my words, a peal of thunder shook through the building. We both froze for a moment, waiting to see what would follow. The steady beat of raindrops on the roof began not long after, filling the room with a comfortable white noise.

“Definitely better than outside,” Henry agreed. He held out a hand for me to join him. I took it, and together we sat on the blanket.

“What exactly are you doing with all these boxes?” Henry asked, handing me a paper plate.

“I’m scanning trade documents into the computer system,” I explained. “It’s not glamorous or exciting, I promise. Once I finish, I can go back to my real job.”

“Being the assistant to the senator, right?” Henry took a plate for himself and began putting food on it.

I nodded. “Yup. Someday, I will be a senator. Or a house representative. I want to be a part of government and make things work.”

“President Ritter,” Henry mused. “It doesn’t sound too bad.”

“Oh no, not president,” I assured him. “I don’t want the responsibility. I want to be a part of government, but I don’t want to be the leader. I’d rather be behind the scenes than being the face of a country.”

Henry smiled. “Like me then.”

“What do you mean?”

Henry looked up at me as if surprised. He thought for a moment before answering. “My brother is the leader. I’m second born, and as such, expected to do all the behind the scenes work as you called it. Some have asked me if I would trade places with my brother, and I’ve always said no. I like my position behind the scenes.”

“That’s it exactly,” I agreed. “I didn’t know it was like that in business, too.”

“Our company is rather unique,” Henry replied. “It’s a family thing.”

I nodded, and then frowned. “How did you get up here? I’m not actually sure I can have you in here.”

“Relax,” he said, holding up his hands. He reached into his pocket and handed me a US government ID card. “I have permission. I already had the background check. I have a friend in government who I like to visit, so I have access.”

“Oh, okay.” I let out a small sigh of relief. I didn’t think that Gus or any of the other security guards would let Henry up if he wasn’t allowed, but I also didn’t want to get him in trouble. I smiled at him.

“My dad was going to run for president someday,” I said, going back to our original conversation. “I never understood the appeal, but he would have been good at it. Me? I just want to make things better and I think I can do more on the sidelines.”

“What kind of things?” Henry asked. He made himself comfortable on the blanket, his eyes focused on me as he ate his meal.

“Everything,” I said with a laugh. “I want to make people safer, healthier, and kinder. I think the world could be an amazing place for everyone.”

Henry smiled at me, and I blushed.

“I know it sounds idealistic, but I think it could happen. I want to believe that most people are good and that we can make the world match that,” I said with a shrug.

He sat up and kissed my cheek. “I love it,” he said. “We need people like you in the world.”

“Naive?” I asked, making a sour face as he put more vegetables on my plate.

“No.” Henry shook his head. “Hopeful.”

I smiled and took another bite of food. “This is really good. Thank you for bringing me dinner.”

“Thank you for bringing me hope,” he replied.