News Flash by Liz Botts Page A

grumbled, and I decided to buy treats for me and the crew after the segment was over. There were several small white wrought iron tables and chairs scattered throughout the space, along with a bright blue sofa in one corner.
    Behind the counter there was a grandmotherly looking woman, her white hair pulled back in a bun and secured with a hairnet. She wore a bright pink apron with a winking owl on the front. I liked her immediately. As I approached the counter, she caught sight of me, and a smile lit her face. She adjusted her glasses as she waited for me to approach.
    â€œEdna Eubanks?”
    â€œThat’s me.” Her smile widened.
    â€œI’m Allison Jones from Channel Eight news. Are you ready to do our interview?” I shook her hand, hoping she wouldn’t notice how young I was.
    â€œAbsolutely. Where would you like to set up?” Edna smoothed her apron, and patted some imaginary stray hairs back into place.
    â€œUm, how about over on the sofa?” I nodded to Steve and the sound guy, Barry. The two of them both went over, and began moving tables so they could position the camera. I surveyed the surreal scene one more time before turning back to Edna. “I really like the way the light comes in through the windows. Natural light is so important to a good shot.”
    â€œI’m sure it is,” Edna agreed, not seeming to notice that I was babbling. “I’m just so excited to get the word out about Edna’s Eats. I really appreciate you doing this.”
    Her words humbled me, stopping me in my tracks. I hadn’t thought about the benefit to the person I was doing this for, just for what I got out of it. That must have been the problem with my first batch of ideas. None of them were truly going to make a difference, so how could they be newsworthy? I’d read Edna’s mission statement in the file, and the woman had a vision. She’d seen a problem, and had created a way to fix it. My throat felt dry, and I was having trouble swallowing.
    â€œCan I have a drink of water?” I croaked.
    â€œOf course, where are my manners?” Edna clucked. “Ask your camera crew if they’d like anything too.”
    The water washed away the stuck feeling in the back of my throat, but not the slightly sour taste in my mouth that came from my own selfishness. I had a chance to change the world, just like Mr. Fisher was always waxing poetic about in class. I could not screw this up.
    When we were seated Steve handed me the microphone and checked the lighting. Edna looked like the perfect grandmother taking time away from her mountains of baking to talk to a young friend, to impart her wisdom. The audience was going to love her. I had to admit that Marika had chosen well. I’d have to tell her that when we got back to the studio.
    â€œAnd we’re rolling in three, two, one.” Steve counted us down.
    â€œI’m Allison Jones, and I’m sitting here with Edna Eubanks from the new bakery and deli, Edna’s Eats. Edna, could you tell us what makes your bakery special?” I tipped the microphone toward her.
    â€œWell now. It’s special to me, of course, because it’s my very first business. But more than that it serves a need in community that hasn’t been fulfilled until now.”
    â€œAnd what’s that?” I prompted.
    Edna smiled, and glanced around the bakery with fondness. “We feed the hungry in a way that doesn’t take away their dignity.”
    I knew that that would be Channel Eight’s sound bite for the story, maybe even for the whole lead in. Edna sounded convicted but serene. She had authority based out of love. I really liked her. She was totally different from any of the people I had proposed, but she was perfect.
    â€œCan you tell our viewers how Edna’s Eats operates?” As I angled the microphone back in her direction, I quickly glanced at the notes in my lap.
    â€œWell, we have a simple