My brows arch as I look at the time on my phone.
Ash
Holy shit doc. It’s already 9pm.
Our neighbor when I was a kid used to complain that teachers got paid for a whole year while only doing nine months of work, but it seems like they cram a whole year’s worth of work into the nine months.
Gray
And only three more hours of work to go. {{winking emoji}}
Ash
At least you get summers off?
Gray
Not really. That’s when most faculty catch up on research. If they don’t teach a summer class.
God damn.
Ash
And why did you choose this career again?
Gray
For the prestige. Or the children. I forget.
I chuckle. She’s snarky, and I like it.
Gray
If you didn’t play hockey, what would you be?
I think for a minute. There was never really a time I considered doing something other than playing hockey, and luckily, I was always good enough that pursuing a career in it was a viable option. Now that my future in hockey is threatened, though, maybe I need to start considering alternatives. The thought makes my gut clench, and I shake it away.
Ash
I went through a dinosaur phase when I was young, so there was a brief period I wanted to be a paleontologist.
Ash
Actually, I wanted to be a dinosaur trainer, but when I learned that wasn’t an option,paleontologist was a close second.
She sends a laughing emoji.
Gray
I’ll observe a moment of silence for the death of that dream. It’s a good thing you found hockey to fill the void.
I respond with my own laughing emoji.
Ash
It still hurts a little to know I’ll never ride a T-Rex.
Her crying emoji comes through.
