“I dunno, Grif,” Lorraine said, just a touch of whine in her voice, “a press conference, really?”

“Absolutely,” Griffin said. “You were amazing at that press conference back in Denver, not to mention what happened at that rally.”

“I wish you wouldn’t.”

“Lorraine, why do you brush that off? Not only did you save my life, literally, but you were a national hero, your face was everywhere for six months.”

“Don’t remind me.”

Griffin smiled, resting his hands on her arms, gently stroking her smooth skin and inspiring goosebumps to rise up in the wake of his powerful fingers. “I will remind you. Our rally was a hit, the Springsteen show in New York, but there was no promising it would ever happen again. Now they call it Lorraine Devonshire Day! You’ve got a day named after you, Lorraine, you know how big that is?” Lorraine nodded, not wanting to admit the truth of what Griffin was saying. “That’s clout, Lorraine, that’s like currency. Now it’s time to invest it in your learning center program.” He paused, and although neither of them really thought it was necessary, he added, “I’m investing, we’re investing as a family, you need to throw in everything you can, Lorraine. And this is something only you can do.”

Lorraine knew he was right, but she dreaded facing the press for all the reasons Griffin had just made so terribly clear. “All right, well, I guess we’ll have it in the lobby?”

Griffin smiled. “Best spot for it. How’s tomorrow morning at ten?”

Lorraine tried to smile, but it wasn’t easy. “Sounds perfect.”

* * *

What was left of a free New York press corps came out to the lobby of the Phoenix Enterprises building the next day. Griffin and Lorraine had been pseudo celebs ever since the shooting, and even before that when their library rallies had become front-page news thanks to superstars like Bruce Springsteen. But after the shooting, the story of the lonely billionaire and the shy librarian reached epic proportions, getting coverage on broadcast television, cable, internet, and the tabloids.

Lorraine never liked the vulnerability, the sense that somebody could burst out of the crowd at any time with guns blazing, this time with better aim and better luck than Donal Roland had possessed. Fame was the last thing she wanted.

Griffin began the conference with, “Phoenix Enterprises is proud to announce a new and sweeping project, one we hope will continue our efforts to keep America well educated. Keeping the libraries open was a good first step, and of course we have Mrs. Phoenix here to thank for that.” The reporters clapped, Lorraine nervously surveying the crowd. But she saw no Tony Gardner creeping up with a murderous sneer, no old Mrs. B. coming back for her final revenge. Lorraine smiled and took a deep breath, only a bit less nervous as Griffin went on, “But, we’re embarking on a new venture, also my wife’s brainchild, so I’ll turn the mic over to her as she can better explain it. You folks remember my wife, the brilliant Lorraine Devonshire Phoenix.”

Griffin stepped back as the reporters clapped, and Lorraine knew it was her time to take the mic. Do it, she silently urged herself, don’t be afraid, not anymore. You can do this, you’ve done a lot more and been through a lot worse. Prove to Griffin he made the right choice, prove it to everybody in the room, Lorraine Devonshire Phoenix more than anyone.

Lorraine stepped up to the mic, memories of that violent day in Denver flashing in the back of her imagination: the terrified screams, the gunshots, the burning pain in her gut, bleeding out, lightheaded …

She cleared her throat and looked around at the faces of the reporters, men and women waiting to hear her speak, increasingly worried expressions on their faces. Feedback bled out from the mic and Lorraine ease back an inch or two.

“Thank you for coming,” she finally said, noting the nervous quiver in her own voice. She couldn’t help but notice Griffin looking at her with a reassuring half-smile on his concerned face. Focusing on the crowd, Lorraine went on, “I’m very proud to announce the Phoenix Enterprises Educational Centers, which we’ll build, staff and fund as a part of the nationwide PEEC project,” which Lorraine pronounced peace. “Every educational center will provide free tutoring in all the core subjects during after-school hours. We’ll offer other types of guidance as well, I should think: family therapy, the arts. These centers will be established in lower-income areas where schools are lacking in funds and effectiveness, where more and better education is especially and desperately needed.”

The reporters clamored, one introducing himself and then asking, “What are you going to do to prevent these centers from attracting various criminal elements?”

“We’re planning for an armed guard at each center, actually. These centers should be a refuge from the chaos of street life and from the downward cycle of ignorance and crime.”

One reporter asked, “Are you saying that all minorities are ignorant criminals?”

“Not at all,” Lorraine said, fear slipping away to be replaced with stubbornness and willfulness. “People in all corners of this country are poor and poorly educated, and we hope to build centers in each of these areas. It’s not about race, it’s about income inequality. Education is the best way to reverse a downward spiral and create an upward spiral of achievement and success. I don't think anybody here would argue against a better education for our kids, all of our kids. It takes a rare man like Griffin Phoenix, a rare company like Phoenix Enterprises, who are willing to sacrifice their own funds, their own resources, to make that happen.”

“You’re not looking for donations then?”

“Of course we are,” Lorraine said, the reporters all chuckling. “This is a big project. It’ll take a lot of time and a lot of money, yes. But, Phoenix Enterprises is funding the pilot center right here in New York. Once we’ve proven that this will work, we will need some help opening up similar centers across the country. When we called upon America’s biggest companies to contribute to the public library system, they did. When Phoenix called Ringo Starr, Ringo didn’t say, ‘It don’t come easy,’ he said, ‘Hold on, I’m comin’!’”

The reporters laughed, Griffin smiled to see Lorraine loosening up, once again finding that blossoming strength she’d discovered in the first few weeks of meeting Griffin.

“I know that other companies, other men like my husband, will come forth, that these centers will bring a dramatic change to the tenor of our streets, instantly enriching the lives of poor American children everywhere.”

There was a rumble of questions, another dominant reporter asking above the others, “Are you worried things will get out of hand?”

“Out of hand?”

“Well, the last time you did something like this — ”

Griffin eased Lorraine away from the mic and leaned in. “I’d like to remind you all that the rally you’re referring to three years ago in Denver, Colorado, resulted in a shooting incident against me, I was the target. My wife, then my fiancee, was willing to sacrifice her life for mine, stepping in front of me to take bullets that were meant for me.”

“But he was in love with her, wasn’t he, Donal Roland?”

“I’d made a fool of him in public, and yes, he was heartbroken over an unrequited love for my wife here. But, the shooting incident was my fault, not hers. There’s no reason that should reflect on my wife's experience or her talent. She’s capable of anything she puts her mind to, this project in particular. She has my utter and complete confidence.”

Griffin leaned back and let Lorraine resume her place at the mic as the questions crackled out of the crowd, cameras flashing.

“What do you make of Albert Jenkins’ run for governor of Colorado?”

Lorraine shrugged. “I think Albert’s a good man, I know he’s done well as city councilman. If the people of Colorado have confidence in him, then I wish him well.”

“Even though he left his wife to marry a fellow library employee?”

“Yes, actually. That’s none of my business and none of anybody else’s business. I know Carmen Jenkins personally, I worked with her for many years. I can’t say I approve of anybody having an extramarital affair and I do feel badly about Deloris Jenkins, though I understand she’s doing just fine. Basically, I don’t think that reflects on Albert or Carmen’s characters, certainly not on his ability to govern … or hers, for that matter.”

Griffin leaned forward into the mic. “That’s all, thanks for coming everyone.” The reporters muttered as Griffin led Lorraine away from the mic and toward the private elevator.