Page 28 of Devotion

“Not really. He wants to get it approved so he can announce it on his fifteenth.”

The day President Vincent became president fifteen years ago. There are already plans for a huge celebration spanning the entire Central Cities. It makes sense to announce an all-consuming overhaul at that time, but it’s really not fair to Gabriel.

All the pressure on his shoulders just got twice as heavy.

“Did you try to get him to see reason?”

“Yes.”

“But he wouldn’t listen? Doesn’t he understand the position he’s putting you in?”

“Vincent? You think he would care?”

The bitterly amused skepticism in his tone tells me something I didn’t know before about the president. I always saw Vincent as personable and reasonable, but Gabriel obviously doesn’t believe that about him.

And Gabriel’s view is the one I trust.

“Do you think you’ll be able to get it done in time?” I finally ask.

“I… I don’t know.”

“How much have you gotten done so far?”

Gabriel straightens up and slides his chair closer to the desk so he can open the top drawer. He pulls out a sheaf of papers in his small, neat print and hands it to me.

I flip through the pages. It’s several sections of an organized report, complete with headings and carefully drawn graphs. “This looks like a lot.”

“It’s the first half.”

“Oh well, that’s good. If you’ve gotten half done in less than three months, maybe you can do the other half in the five you have left.”

“Maybe. But the second half is going to be a lot more complicated.” He exhales and closes his eyes for just a moment. Then he straightens up and reaches for his notebook, left open on the desk. “I better get back to work.”

“Okay.” I pause but then risk the request. “Can I read this?”

He tilts his head to give me a tired, curious look. “Won’t it be boring to you?”

“No! I’d like to read it if it’s not private.”

“It is private. No one has seen it yet. But this first half should be the final draft, so you can read it if you want.”

Gratification washes over me as I thank him and carry the papers back to my window seat. I start on the first page.

It’s not an easy or a fast read. I’ve always known Gabriel is brilliant, but I’m afraid I might have underestimated the depth and complexity of his mind. I pore over each page until I’m satisfied that I understand it and only then flip to the next.

About halfway through, my throat begins to tighten with emotion. A few minutes later, my hands start to tremble, and by the time I make it to the final page, there are tears sliding down my cheeks that I can’t possibly hold back.

When I look over at Gabriel, I discover he’s watching me.

“I’m sorry,” I say with a sniff, swiping away my tears with the fingers of both hands so none of them accidentally land on his finished draft.

“You’re crying over my boring proposal?”

“It’s not boring! Gabriel, this is… This is…”

His eyebrows pull together as he waits for me to finish my sentence. He genuinely doesn’t understand what I’m reacting to.

I get up and take several rushed steps toward him. I place the papers carefully on the top of the desk and then sink down to my knees beside him.

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