Executive War

Day 3

Hsiao stood in his room, he had a glass of water in one hand.  The TV was broadcasting the Truth Chronicles.  He sat down on his bed.  "President Thyra Carcamo has announced that the World Intimacy Concert will continue.  This concert is to take place tomorrow at the Washington Podium."  Hsiao pressed his lips together.  He remembered being a kid when the Washington Podium was built.  He was there when President Tharren gave a speech for the children who attended the schools in Washington DC.  There, Edmond had become interested in politics.  From his motivation, he had recieved his place as Chief of Staff.

"However, President Carcamo's proposal is still being denied by the Senate.  Officials say that until there is another solution, there is not much that can be done," the female reporter stated. 

"Watcha watching?" a tiny voice asked.

            Startled, Hsiao flinched and whirled around to see Xuan.  "Xuan, it's way past your bed-time, why are you still up?"  His six-year old neice peered up at him with wide, dark eyes.  "I couldn't sleep.  Can I stay in here tonight?"  Hsiao, sighed.  "All right, but you must go to sleep.  OK?"  Xuan nodded.  "OK."

She jumped onto his bed.   He sat down on it.  Xuan stared indifferently at the TV.  "Uncle Edmond, why do you always watch the news?"  Hsiao answered, "I'm a grown-up.  I have to watch it."  Xuan was admittingly a little naive.  Xuan tilted her head.  "Grown-ups always watch the boring stuff.  Can we watch some cartoons?"  Hsiao shook his head.  "If I let you watch cartoons, there's no way I'll ever get you to go to sleep."  Jokingly, she pouted.  "Uncle Edmond?"

"Yes?"

"Are they talking about that nice lady you work for?  Ms. Carcamo."

            Hsiao froze.  President Carcamo had met his neice when she read to a class in an elementary school.  Hsiao was amused when Xuan came home that day saying that she met the President.  Surprised the next day when the President said that she didn't know that he was obsessed with nacho-flavored chips.  He still wondered what they had talked about.

"Yes, it's that lady they're talking about."

Her innocent, dark eyes blinked.  "Why do they seem angry?"  Hsiao was puzzled.  "Who?"

"The people on TV.  They don't seem to like Ms. Carcamo.  I don't know why, she's so nice."

            Hsiao stared at the girl he had taken in after her parents had died.  How do you explain it to a little girl like Xuan?  He grit his teeth.  "Some people don't think she's nice.  There are a lot of people with different opinions, Xuan."  She stared at him.  "What do you think?"  Hsiao froze.  Carcamo's words seemed to echo in his head.  I am entitled to many opinions.  This includes yours.  Xuan expected an answer, he could see that. 

"I think... that she's someone I would respect.  She is really smart and she is usually calm, even if things get tough."

Xuan smiled.  "I think she's a really nice lady."

            As Xuan fell asleep, Hsiao thought of all that had happened earlier today.  President Carcamo was not happy to learn that Congress had refused her proposal.  In the Oval Office, Hsiao found her with her head buried deeply in her hands.  He had turned to leave, but Carcamo had stopped him.  President Thyra Carcamo had simply asked him to stay there and talk.  They did, about things other than the politics.  Despite the conversation, Hsiao could see that she was agitated.

He now glanced back at his neice.  She was now asleep on his bed.  He gently kissed her on the forehead.  Thankfully, you're too young to understand.  There's only so much we know.