It didn’t.
The interview was a disaster.
Mister Jameson laughed his ass off when he saw me like a lost puppy in his office. He didn’t even
look at my file, didn’t ask me any questions. He just made me leave his office, saying “I’m not looking for a kid to babysit, I’m looking for an assistant and you’re not that.”
I cried all the way home. Waking up in bliss was already forgotten after the nightmare of a morning that followed. I was glad Becca wasn’t home when I came in. She would freak out at my tears. Going directly to bathroom, I wanted to erase the morning from my body as I continued to cry.
For four months, I hadn’t found a job. I didn’t know what I was, a student, a grad, or simply unemployed. I was so excited for this interview, I was ready for it…yet it turned into a disaster.
I sighed, toweling my body dry when my phone started to ring.
I took a deep breath before answering, “Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, my beautiful girl. How are you?” she said with a cheerful voice.
“I’m great, Mom. Are you back from your honeymoon? How is Brad?” I wasn’t planning on telling her about the job interview fiasco. She sounded so happy, I didn’t want her to worry about me.
“Yes, baby. We’re back. Paris was amazing. Brad is fine and he wants to invite you to dinner tonight. What do you think?”
“Umm… it is so nice of him, Mom. But you’re just back and I’m not sure if it’s good idea.”
“Of course this is a good idea. Our marriage was sudden, you two didn’t get to know each other well. I think this would be a great opportunity for it. He also invited Kellan, his son, hoping he would show up,” my mom tried to convince me.
Know each other well? Nope, we didn’t… a ten minute Skype call with my mom and her husband didn’t count.
I didn’t want to say no to her. Even though Brad and my mom got married like a crazy couple in Vegas, I could sense that she was happy. After my dad’s death, mom deserved to be happy with someone who cares about her. Her whole life became about me after our loss and I wanted her to live for herself again. If this guy, Brad, was doing that then they had my blessing from the bottom of my heart… and if my mom would be happy when I went to this dinner, then so be it.
“Okay, Mom. I’ll come. That will be a good change for me, too, I think,” I sighed.
“Melody, sweetie? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah… just looking for a job, you know. It’s an exhausting process,” I gave her the least detailed answer I could.
“Oh, don’t be nervous over a job, baby girl. You’ll find a great place in this world. You’re a brilliant young woman, I know any company will want to make you a part of their team,” she said with the certainty of a proud parent.
I wished I could believe that… but I still gave her the answer she expected, “You’re right, Mom. It’s only been for four months anyway. I’ll get a good job.”
“Yes. That’s my baby girl.”
“When should I be there, Mom?” I asked to change the topic.
“Dinner is at seven, baby, but you should come early so we can catch up,” she answered happily. I smiled at her giddiness. She sounded young again, like when she was with my dad. After that, her voice lost its excitement, she became almost dull and now hearing her voice like this gave me happy tears.
“Okay, Mom. I’ll be there early,” I said, before adding “And Mom?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“I love you.”
“Oh, baby… I love you, too. See you tonight.”
Brad’s house was a total family home that had a great garden full of flowers and barbeque equipment ready to use. The house had a happy feeling with the stupid “welcome” signs that was hanged on the door and printed on the doormat. It looked really good, like out of a family magazine kind of good. But the best thing about this house, the thing that made it feel homey for me, was the delicious smell of my mom’s cooking.
I knocked on the door, excited to see my mom after her two month long honeymoon. Instead, Brad opened the door. He looked so different than I remembered from our Skype talk. At that time his face was flushed with the effect of alcohol, but now he looked cool and handsome. He was a silver fox with tanned skin, bright blue eyes, and a well-built figure for a forty-something aged man.
“Melody… welcome. It is so good to finally meet you in person,” he welcomed me, holding out his hand. We shook hands as I let him guide me inside the house, “Hi, Brad. Thanks for the invite.”