“Already? I was told that it takes years.”
He nodded his head. “It can, but your test scores have been nothing but amazing, and the spot will be open. The college is getting a little more funding due to your scores, and it would be dumb of us not to take the opportunity to keep you here long term.”
She took a breath in. She wasn't expecting this. This was wonderful news.
“Thank you.” She beamed. “That's ... an amazing honor.”
“We can talk more later, but for now, I think you have a class starting soon. I'll email you the details later today.”
She did. A morning class and she was excited. She couldn't wait for lunch and to tell Jake about this.
As she let her class go at noon, she dialed Jake up, bouncing on her heels. The phone rang three times before he answered. “Wow, early phone call today. Did you miss me that much?”
“I got tenure,” she said, not able to hold it in. “I can't believe it. The president came into my room this morning and said they were offering it to me because Ryan is retiring.”
“Honey, that's amazing. Good for you. I'm so proud of you.”
“My scores are great, and the president said he was impressed. The whole board was.”
“Honey, that's an amazing accomplishment. How about I come home early, and we go somewhere nice for dinner.”
She liked that idea. She looked around her space, realizing this was hers for a while. Everything seemed to be going just as she had wished it would.
“I'm so happy,” she said, smiling. “The new marriage and the baby on the way. Now, this. Everything is looking up.” After everything she'd gone through, she liked it. She was proud of where they had come.
“Everything is as we promised in our vows. I'll talk to you later. I was in the middle of a meeting. I'm proud of you, Casey. Love you.”
“I love you too.”
She hung up the phone, and she relaxed into her chair. She looked forward to dinner. She looked forward to calling her friends and telling them the news.
Her life had changed so much in the span of a year. She didn't think it was possible, but here she was, and she couldn't be happier. Casey had everything she ever wanted and so much more.
The End