"You are everything we've been looking for," the Director of Education tells me as he shakes my hand after the interview.
I nod in appreciation. "Likewise," I tell him, happy to be out of the hot seat. "I hope to hear from you soon."
I walk to my car, thinking about the last question I was asked.
Do you see yourself settling down here in Spokane Valley?
The question was innocent enough. And the answer should have been easy too.
But over the past week, my answer has changed.
When I answered, saying that I can imagine myself in a town like this I wasn't lying... exactly.
I blink back the memories of my night with Mike. Memories I can't afford to think about.
We had fun together and even though I can imagine so much more with him, maybe everything with him -- he hardly knows me.
Yes, he is handsome and an amazing father and makes me feel safe and wanted and...
Ugh.
I need to stop this. I pull out of the parking lot wondering if, when push comes to shove, do I even know if Mike is the kind of man who's going to help me get back up when I fall?
My stomach rolls, I know the answer.
But instead of thinking any more about that, I need to focus on the drive home.
I get back on the freeway, stopping to get myself a cheeseburger and fries and a milkshake halfway through. It's been a long day, and I'm ready to get back home. The longer I drive, the more I can’t help but think through all the what-ifs.
Maybe I'll be offered the job and I'll have my answer.
My game plan for the future.
I turn on the radio and try to cool my thoughts. Soon enough, I am rolling back into town, and my shoulders relax. Nothing has to be decided right now. It’s not like I've even been offered the position.
When I'm nearing home, I feel my car beginning to clatter. Shake. Looking in the rearview mirror, I realize smoke is emitting from the tail. This cannot be happening again. The hood of the car is smoking too and know I can’t keep driving.
I turn right, to pull over, and my stomach lurches. Here I am. Once again. In front of the Malone Brothers Auto Shop.
Is it destiny? Kismet? Fate?
I pull my car to the side of the street and drop my head to the steering wheel as I turn off the car. My phone rings and my heart skips a beat.
I answer.
"Hello, Clementine." The man's voice is warm and sincere, but not the voice I was hoping to hear. "We met today during your interview with the Spokane Valley School District. We were all so impressed with you and are pleased to invite you to our team as a full-time kindergarten teacher."
Tears fill my eyes. I look across the street at the auto shop, it's closed for the day. And maybe that's my answer. Maybe that door has closed. Maybe it was never really open.
"Wow," I say, knowing this offer is everything I was hoping for.
But then a light turns on in the shop.
And I know exactly what I need to do.
Chapter 13
Mike
There's a knock on the door to the auto shop and it catches me off guard. We're closed for the day. Besides, I have plans.
Then I look up, and I grin. Clementine got here sooner than I thought she would.
But there she is. Looking cute as ever. It's a little after five in the evening, and the early summer sun is still out. There's a breeze outside, and a gentle wind blows through her hair.
Like the winds carried her straight to me.
I push open the door and let her in.
"So, you got my note?" I ask. I assume she's been home by now, saw the note I left her on her kitchen table.
"Note?" She frowns, shaking her head. "No, it's my car." She points across the street where exhaust fumes cloud the air, her engine in trouble again.
"Oh," I say, trying to recover. "I'm glad you got here. I wanted you to come by once you got home. Did the drive go okay?"
"It did, but it's the strangest thing. As I was driving home my car started acting up again, then just as I was pulling on to this street, it sputtered out. There I was, again, right in front of your shop." She smiles, shaking her head in disbelief. "I ended up exactly where I started a week ago."
"Destiny?" I ask with a smile.
"Kismet?" she adds with a shrug. "But I've got to admit, I'm questioning your ability as a mechanic. You said the problem would be fixed with coolant, yet here I am again." She puts her hands on her hips playfully. But she should do things like that in public. She looks so damn good.