-Present-
A lesson I learned is that you can't even trust the people you care about, not even your family.
I sent Josiah a one-word reply.
Me: No
Another text message arrived a little while later.
Josiah: Sigh. Fine. Just keep in mind that he wants to speak with you.
Me: I have trust that you'll let him know I'm not prepared for that.
He texted again.
Josiah: I know, and just so you know too, you can count on him to find you quickly.
I let the conversation stop there.
I was more focused on the calls I got for the job interviews, I had a range of feelings. Early excitement was followed by a strong fear that was difficult to overcome. The fear was mostly sparked by the feeling of failure. It's a good thing for me because I can predict what will happen and overcome any failure that might try to come my way. Truth be told, I am in charge, and with the right preparation, any job interview, including landing one, will be my success. I was aware that my job began much before the interview, even as I looked over the job description.
I knew the secret to getting hired for any position would be my résumé. It is simple to respond to a job listing when you always have a prepared résumé and cover letter on hand. I did a lot of preparation, formatted and proofread appropriately, and was glad my hard work paid off.
I stood up and rummaged through my closet, trying to figure out what I was going to wear. It had to be suitable for all three interviews since they were happening on the same day. Now, this seemed to be my toughest challenge ever, in all of this.
*****
I had three job interviews the following day, and just like that, I received my employment offer on the same day for all three. They all needed my expertise. Being an account manager was my go-to; a person who was accountable for overseeing sales and maintaining connections with special clients. With my strong communication skills, creative mind, and highly sought-after reputation in Boston, I was a valuable candidate for any firm that wanted me.
I thought my apparently sudden resignation had affected me. So, when the question was asked why I left the company in Boston, my simple response was that I missed my hometown, and all that mattered was when I could start working. Even though I had received an excellent reference from my colleagues with whom I had collaborated back in Boston. My fame had done all the work for me, plus, thanks to their franticness, I simply needed to choose who I would receive.
Since no one knew better than me, the word negotiations. I demanded my salary and my work schedule. When I was growing up, my dad often warned me to 'never let them see you sweat,' since I was a timid and chubby child. I had a tendency to feel anxious and second-guess myself. But now, when it came to my work, I never did.
I agreed to negotiate a salary that was above average for my position, Tuesdays and Fridays off, and the possibility of a raise after six months and a bonus payout if I sign a client contract for at least two years. Of all three companies, two seemed to be more pleased with my suggestions.
Even though they might not have seen me sweat, I could still feel it after making my demands. After reviewing both firms' acceptance, I looked at their status and class in the industry they were in. After carefully evaluating each company, I decided to go with the one that was motivated and thrilled to create and develop the technology that would fundamentally change the lives of its customers.
I then jumped in the shower soon after I typed and sent my acceptance letter and rejected the other. When I heard a knock at the door, I had just turned off the water.
"Just a second," I called out, stepping out of the tub.
"Take your time," I heard Leon's voice. "I need to ask you something when you're done. I have a co-worker here."
"Oh, Okay!" I finished up fast and threw on a fitting t-shirt and a pair of jeans.
Leon and a coworker were eating Chili's to go when I joined them in the living room, and the aroma made me realize that I hadn't had anything to eat since that morning.
I commented as I sat on the ottoman beside them on the sofa.
"It smells nice in here," I said.
"You smell fantastic, yourself," said Leon's coworker. He was a flirt like Leon, and I knew it right away. His blue eyes sparkled with slyness. I was certain that it kept him busy with the ladies when combined with his sandy golden hair.
"Thanks," I smiled.
"George, this is Katy. Katy, this is George," Leon introduced us. Leon pointed to a bag sitting on the coffee table. "I got you a bacon avocado chicken sandwich."
I smiled at him. "You're awesome, thank you."
I was digging through the bag when Leon asked, "How'd the interviews go?"
"Great! I got all three jobs," I answered.
"Congratulations! Wait, What?" Leon cheered and was in shock at the same time.
"Yeah, my celebrity status is well known, apparently. News travel. But you know I can only accept one."
"Where will you be working?" George asked.
"I'm one of the new account managers at Amazon."
"Awesome," George said simply. I found my sandwich and an order of chicken tenders. "Who are the chicken fingers for?" I eyed Leon suspiciously.
"I was going to ask you that. I need to return to work. We need to draw up a fresh planogram. Would you like to watch CJ today? Only a few hours, for me," Leon explained.
"That's great! I was going to wait until the next weekend he has with Carter to go see him, but this is so much better."
Leon nodded. "I'm going to go pick him up from school, and Shana should pick him up around five thirty later on."
"Sounds good. I'm going to call and ask Carter," I announced. I wanted to call mainly to chat with him, but also partly to avoid stepping outside of my boundaries again.
"I already texted him. Besides, you already asked, remember?"
I shook my head and started chopping my food.
Following my meal, I nervously got to work cleaning and getting ready for CJ. While I was in Boston, we spoke and exchanged pictures, but he hadn't seen me in a while. I was concerned he wouldn't feel at ease around me any longer. When I heard the front door open, I inhaled deeply.
"Well, who's going to watch me if you and Rocks are at work?" I heard CJ ask, indignantly to Leon. His familiar tone made me grin. He often whined when he thought someone had wronged him, such as when they took away his games or had him clean his room.
"I had planned to, but if you don't want me to…" I replied while grinning at him in the den beside the entrance. As he turned to face me, his eyes sharpened before recognition filled his face.
"Katy!!!" He yelled, before running to me. I took him in my arms and cuddled him while wishing the tears would dry up. Leon grinned as he looked at us.
As Leon bid me farewell, I cradled him in my arms with his calf encircling mine. "I'm leaving for work. You listen to Katy. Do your schoolwork before your mom arrives, okay," CJ nodded as he turned to face Leon and briefly took his large eyes off me.
"What are you doing here?!?" CJ asked me when Leon left.
"I moved back, CJ," I told him, setting him down while holding his hand and inspecting him. His lean frame was all arms and legs. His multiracial heritage was still evident, in his skin tone, as he reminded me of sugar cookies. When he was four years old, I used to make fun of him for it while I pretended to eat him. I recognize a lot of Carter in his features, but he also has his mother's honey-brown eyes, straight hair, and short haircut. Regarding appearance, he truly outdid both of his parents.
He looked at me surprised. "Really? You're going to be a manager just like dad, here?"
"I sure am!"
"And you're gonna babysit me again?" He asked, excitedly.
"Every chance I get!" The smile he gave me warmed my heart.
The soul connection of our gaze, the tender touch, and the strength of the eagerly anticipated hug all speak to the emotional reunion me and CJ were having. I could be happier with joy to know he felt the same way I was feeling. It was a wonderful release to know he didn't dislike or forget me.