Jethro looks thoughtful before throwing me a long look.
“Well, if nursing’s not your thing, then what do you want to do?”
I sigh again, the depression beginning to spiral despite the incredible setting and company.
“I don’t know,” I mumble. “That’s the problem. Most people figure that out in college, but I didn’t really have that option.”
Jethro nods thoughtfully again.
“Okay, but is there something that you really enjoy? Besides being a wardrobe assistant of course,” he winks.
I sigh once more and think for a moment. Should I tell him? I decide to just go for it.
“This is really embarrassing, but I’d love to do something related to birdwatching. It’s always been a hobby of mine, and I find it fascinating. I’ve loved birds for years, but that’s the problem. There aren’t any jobs related to my particular interest.”
Jethro is thoughtful for a moment. “Yeah, but there must be something out there.”
I shrug despondently again.
“Yes, but what? I mean, I can’t just sit all day in peoples’ backyards refilling their bird feeders while watching avian life come and go. I wouldn’t be able to get anyone to pay me for that.”
Jethro thinks again, his handsome features pensive.
“Well, what about a museum or national park?” he asks reasonably. “I’m sure they hire bird people there.”
I smile and then take a big bite of my hot dog.
“Yeah, I’ve looked into it a little, but the thing is, you have to be an ornithologist to get a job at a museum or zoo. I don’t even have a bachelor’s degree, let alone a Ph.D. I’ll be lucky to finish my associate’s at Clark when the time comes,”I say in a rueful tone.
“You could always finish your associate’s and then continue on to a B.S. and then Ph.D if you really wanted to,” Jethro offers.
I sigh, shoulders slumping. “I know, but I don’t want to because I’m not in love with my studies or even with school in general. Plus, this stuff is expensive! I already have student loans, and it seems like those are practically a death knell these days. You can get them forgiven, but only after twenty-five years of indentured servitude, it seems like.”
Jethro nods solemnly.
“Yeah, I’ve seen some articles about that too. Student loans are like weights chained around your ankles.”
I nod before shooting him a wry smile.
“Yeah, that’s why my best course probably is exactly what my parents want: for me to get a nursing certification and start working at a doctor’s office or even a hospital. That way, I know I’ll have a job when this all ends.”
Jethro cocks his head to the side, those blue eyes pensive.
“But it’s not what you want, and remember honey – that matters, too.”
I smile sadly. “Yeah, I know but sometimes real life intervenes right? We don’t always get what we want. Besides, my parents just want what’s best for me, and they don’t want me to struggle the way they did when I was little. If I become a nurse, I’m pretty much guaranteed a job forever.”
Jethro nods.
“Totally get it. Reality can be a bitch sometimes, but still, I think it’s possible to pursue your true passion, if not now then definitely at some point in the future. It’ll be worth it in the end, you’ll see. Honestly sweetheart? Your face when you mentioned birdwatching is a lot happier than the one when you’re discussing the nursing profession.”
I shoot him a droll smile.
“You think?”
He grins back.
“Hey, I know so, from experience too. I mean, family is one thing, but you can’t live your life for them. You have to live for yourself.”
I sigh.
“Yeah, but nursing is a really safe profession.”
Jethro nods.
“So is firefighting, especially after twenty years with the department. Think of how horrified my family was when I announced I was going to move to Vegas to become a male stripper.”
I burst out laughing at that.
“Okay, yeah, I guess that would be pretty crazy.”
He grins.
“Honestly, I thought everyone in my family was going to have a heart attack, especially my dad and uncle. They freaked out, and understandably so. After all, who does this? Hell, I think my dad was going to have a heart attack and a stroke when he found out. You know they were both firefighters too, and in the same station where I got a job. So yeah, they were pretty embarrassed about my choice of second career, in addition to being totally stunned.”
My jaw drops. “Holy cow.”
Jethro nods humorously.
“I mean, don’t get me wrong. Lots of firefighters have second careers because of the twenty-year pension thing. But there are a number of standard paths for second careers that usually involve taking some desk job, or getting into related fire safety work. Male stripper? Not so much. Hell, my dad’s still praying for me to change my mind and come back to Jersey.”