Demokracy: Nation Awaits

Chapter 79: Gift of Appreciation

Lux 23, 1942

The sun was just beginning to rise over the rolling hills of Aegar, casting a warm, golden hue over the small village where President Denver Brooks had spent much of his youth. It was a quiet morning, the kind he had come to cherish in his final days as president. The weight of his office seemed far away now, replaced by the simplicity and peace of his ancestral home.

But there was one more thing he needed to do.

"Are you sure about this, Mr. President?" Leona Frod asked, her brow furrowing as she watched Brooks prepare to leave the house. "It's unconventional, even for you."

Brooks smiled, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I've always believed in connecting with the people, Leona. They supported me when I needed it, and now, I want to show them my appreciation. I want them to know that even though my time in office is ending, I'll always remember where I came from."

Leona hesitated but nodded. "Very well. Just... be careful. People might not expect this."

"I know. That's what makes it so important," Brooks said, his voice resolute.

He stepped out of the door, a small basket in hand. The basket was filled with local goods—fresh bread, fruit, and even a few bottles of homemade wine from the village's farms. It wasn't much, but to the people of Aegar, it was a gesture that meant everything.

As he walked down the winding road, he could see the sleepy town beginning to wake up. Small houses lined the streets, smoke rising from chimneys, and the sound of birds chirping in the trees. It was a stark contrast to the bustling halls of the Felora'n Palace, and Brooks found solace in its simplicity.

The first door he came to was a small cottage on the edge of town. He knocked gently.

A woman in her fifties answered, her expression one of surprise as she saw the President standing before her.

"President Brooks? What... what are you doing here?" she stammered.

Brooks smiled warmly and handed her the basket. "I wanted to come by and thank you, Mrs. Marshall. For everything you've done for this town. For everything you've done for Eldoria."

The woman blinked, utterly shocked. "You're... you're thanking me? But... you're the president. You've done so much for us already."

"No," Brooks said softly. "I haven't done nearly enough. I wanted to give something back to the people who supported me from the very beginning. A small token of my appreciation."

She looked down at the basket, tears welling up in her eyes. "This... this is too much."

"It's not much," Brooks replied with a chuckle. "Just a little something to say thank you."

He moved on to the next house, and then the next, until word began to spread. Before long, people were coming out of their homes, eyes wide in disbelief as they saw the President of Eldoria standing on their doorstep, handing them baskets of goods and thanking them for their support.

"Mr. President!" shouted a young man from a nearby porch. "You... you're here?"

Brooks grinned. "I am. I wanted to thank you, too, Carl. For everything you've done for this community."

Carl shook his head, his voice shaking with emotion. "I never thought I'd see the day. The President of Eldoria, in our town, giving us gifts. It's an honor."

"It's a small gesture," Brooks said, his tone humble. "But it comes from the heart. The people of Aegar helped shape who I am today. You all deserve more than just my words. You deserve action."

He continued his journey through the town, visiting house after house, surprising the citizens who had once only seen him on the television or in the papers. Now, they stood face-to-face with the man who had led their nation, and they were overwhelmed by his kindness.

As he reached the center of town, Brooks paused. A crowd had gathered, murmuring excitedly as they watched him hand out more baskets.

"Mr. President!" shouted an elderly man, walking slowly toward him with the help of a cane. "I never thought I'd live to see this day."

Brooks stepped forward, offering him a basket with a smile. "You've earned it, Mr. Jenkins. Every bit of it. Thank you for supporting me all these years."

The elderly man looked up at him, his eyes filled with gratitude. "You've done more for Aegar than any president before you. We'll never forget that."

"I hope you'll never forget the importance of community," Brooks replied, his voice low but firm. "The work I've done has only been possible because of people like you."

The crowd around them grew, and Brooks could feel the weight of their stares. There was something about this moment—about being here, among these people—that felt right. It wasn't about politics, or power. It was about the bonds he had forged with these people. It was about them, and the country he had served for so long.

Leona arrived a few moments later, her face slightly flushed from the unexpected turn of events. "Mr. President, you've made quite an impression," she said, trying to stifle her amusement. "But we should probably wrap things up. There's a lot left to do before tomorrow."

Brooks nodded, reluctantly tearing himself away from the crowd. "I suppose you're right, Leona."

But as they made their way back toward the car, he couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment that no political speech or address could ever provide.

In that moment, he knew he had given something more than just his presidency. He had given a piece of himself to the people who had raised him, and it was something they would carry with them long after his term was over.