Chapter 22

Leverkusen, Germany

“… for that reason, Bayer AG will step up and help the United Nations continue to provide aid to the less-fortunate countries in sub-Saharan Africa. With the next planting season, in less than six months, we will be joining in this great humanitarian endeavor.”

The small auditorium was less than standing room only, as it was a routine, weekly press briefing. That it was conducted by none other than the new Chief Operating Officer was noted by only one of the newer correspondents. All but the first three rows were vacant.

In the last row, the sunset-glow of the exit sign washing down over him, Warin Schader sat and watched Katrina Günther announce the company’s latest initiative to help the world’s less-fortunate. His eyebrow raised in approval at her appearance; blond hair rather severely restrained and, his smile joined his eyes, a pair of totally unnecessary eyeglasses. The overall effect was of a dignified, if not somewhat young, academic giving a lecture.

The board of directors, true to Fraulein Günther’s prediction, named her chief operating officer and her first decision was to proceed with the final, in vivo, test of the GMO that was the core of the Tree of Life project. Any of the sub-Saharan countries would have done, Burundi was chosen, in part, because, as the young woman put it in closed session, ‘When was the last time you saw Burundi in a newspaper outside of Africa?’

Warin watched the woman paint the picture of a benevolent company determined to help the helpless. He marveled at the sincerity in the young woman’s voice and how comfortable she was on stage. He smiled in admiration when, as a demonstration of her self-assurance and control, she interrupted her presentation to tweet answers out those present only by virtue of the internet. It was clear the newest COO of the venerable, albeit a bit staid, company was very much at home in the multi-channel world of the 21st century.

During the private meeting, Warin recalled one of the older board members suggesting that he should be afforded the honor of announcing the initiative. Smiling modestly, he said, “For the record, this project has been in the making for half a century. We are, however, in a new century. Our Ms. Günther is more a citizen of the future than I will ever be.”

This response, of course, reinforced Warin’s reputation not only for modesty, but for always putting the company first. Being young, Katrina Günther was more than happy to comply.

“Are there any questions?”

“Do you see any negative consequences of Bayer’s effort to make up for the withdrawal of the United States?” The reporter from the Breitbart syndicate leaned forward in anticipation of raw meat for his twitter followers and readers back home.

“None whatsoever. If America should decide to rejoin the program, we will match their contribution. Surely there is no such thing as too much seed to grow food for a starving country.”

*****

Bujumbura, Burundi

After a full day teaching at the university and half a night at the hospital still to go, Gabriel Nisabwe’s primary goal was to rest his chin on his wife’s shoulder, if even for but a moment. He got as far as the kitchen counter of the small single level home, when she turned with such natural grace that his day-old whiskers grazed the toffee-gold of her neck with less friction than velvet on a pearl. She smiled, “Professor Nisabwe, just in time to help set the table.”

A tired smile accentuating his dark walnut complexion, he asked, “You’re the psychologist in the family, should I be worried about olfactory hallucinations? The wonderful aroma of Boko Boko greeted me at the door. I know, for a fact, our anniversary is not for another two months and three days.”

“No, Gabriel, it is not a holiday or our anniversary, but still a special occasion.”

With a cautious silence, he took a single step back, still holding her hand and stared at his wife. Seeing an excitement beginning to flare-up, deep in his eyes, Iniko smiled and said, “No, Gabe not that. Remember, we are still preparing for the life of a family. Soon, when you are a physician and I have my doctorate, we will proceed into the next stage of our life together.”

Pulling her chair away from the table, Gabriel remained standing as Iniko put their plates of food on the small table. He smiled, “God willing, our children will have your beauty and practicality and my persistence.” Waiting until she was seated, took his place across the table from her.

After she whispered grace for the two of them, she said, “In less than a year you’ll trade your white shirt and bow tie for scrubs and a stethoscope. And, by next year, I should have my dissertation completed.”

“Speaking of good news, my department head told me our efforts to compensate for the shortfall in next year’s seed-stock have yielded results. The UN’s agricultural assistance program has found a new donor to make up for the United States pulling out of the program. Bayer AG, the German multi-national, has agreed to come to Burundi’s rescue and supply maize seed. They even said that it would be some of the new hybrid strains they’ve been developing.”

Iniko Nisabwe smiled to herself, thinking that perhaps there was a bright future for her husband and her family yet-born.