Save Me

Chapter 6

The room was buzzing with activity as the Adventures in Wonderland staff rearranged the other side of the room, the opposite of where the signing was still taking place, for the next part of the day.    I assumed the Question and Answer/Meet and Greet was going to start shortly and I wanted the girls to have a good view. 

"It looks like they're setting up another table over there.   I bet that's where the Meet and Greet is going to be.   Maybe we should head over there and get a good spot."   I pointed it out to Kenzie.

"Yeah.  Can we?   I wanna be in the front this time."   She said, looking directly at Lily.

"I wanna be in front too."   Lily pouted.

"Alright, let's start walking over there before everyone else."  

It was a wide area and there were some chairs set up but with the amount of people in here right now, nowhere near enough for everyone.   I didn't mind sitting on the floor, in fact, I thought it would be more comfortable.

"There's a spot on the floor right in front of the table, let's sit there."   I suggested. 

All four of us sat down and although we were the first people over there, it didn't stay that way for long.   As others saw the set up, they made their way to us.   Actually, it was more aggressive than that.   There were grown women pushing past others, practically dashing towards the seats in the front.    I was glad I was paying attention enough to realize where we were going to need to be before everyone else.  If I didn't, we'd definitely be stuck in the back and the girls wouldn't be able to see anything. 

"If everyone wants to make there way towards the chairs over there, please."   Reni announced,   "After a short break, the guys will be out for the Q and A." 

The girls and I were just getting comfortable when I heard my phone ringing.    Digging through my purse, I managed to grab it before the call went to voicemail.   Looking at the screen, I knew I had to take it.

"Hello?"   I answered,   "Yes, this is Vivian Abbott."   Moving Lily off my lap, I stood,   "Can you please hold for a second so I can move to a quieter place?   Great, thank you."

"I'll be right back, don't move."    I told the girls.  

Seeing a door to my right, I had no idea what was on the other side but I did know it had to be quieter than it was in here.   

Going back to my call,  "Hi....how can I help you."  

Normally I wouldn't take calls at events like this but this particular call was important and I couldn't miss it.    The medical facility I was going to in Kisangani is internationally funded and the Red Cross coordinates those efforts but there is only so much money to go around.    That's where my talent at gaining outside donations comes in.    For those that donate, it's a tax write off but for the people these supplies are going to benefit, in many cases, life saving.  

The atrocities, mostly due to political conflict, in many of these countries never stops so the need for extra medical supplies like vaccines and antibiotics is always there.    Knowing this, each time I head to one of those countries, I do my best to gather as many donations as I can.    This is very personal to me.   I do it because I can but without my credentials and the Red Cross backing me, donations would have far more red tape to go through before they got to where they needed to go. 

"Yes, absolutely.   I'll be there Monday morning.   You'll have everything on dry ice, correct?"  

I was pacing, so engrossed in the call and confirming the details of the supply pick up at the University of Chicago that I wasn't paying any attention to my surroundings at all.