“Glad you’re here,” said Ross.“Mike and I have been discussing how best to use you for support.Please, have a seat.”He indicated the leather chair in front of his desk.
Mike pulled up the other leather chair, and they sat in a circle.
“Ross and I are used to setting up our own classes and private lessons,” said Mike.“But we need someone to handle other details for us.”
“And someone to run the front office, so to speak,” said Ross.“In other words, someone to run the Center.We need someone willing to work all jobs from receptionist to helping camp counselors, to typing up schedules, to working on promotional material.”
“You won’t be involved with the financial end of things.We’ve hired an accountant for that,” said Mike.“He’s someone who will handle all the forms, reports, and payments required to operate a facility like ours with reporting responsibilities to the city, county, and state.”
“But the details of running the administration would be in your hands,” said Ross.“You’d have to be willing to be flexible and fulfill our requests,whether you agree with them or not,” said Ross, giving her a steady look.
Hazel’s cheeks grew warm.“I assure you, I can do that.”
“Good,” said Mike.“But we want you to feel free to speak up when you see a need for improvement.I hope you noticed the changes at the reception desk.”
Hazel grinned.“I did.And I thought it was a commendable way to greet guests.”
“So do we,” said Ross, giving her a thumbs up.“Now for the salary and benefits.The benefits are about the same as you were getting.”He handed her a piece of paper with everything printed out for her to see.
Hazel let out a breath of relief as she went over the numbers.“This is certainly fair.I hope to prove that I’m even more valuable to you.”
Ross laughed.“I like that response.I know you have a couple more weeks of school, but I’m hoping you will be able to work for us on the weekends as we get camps and classes scheduled.”
“Tracy will handle my private student sessions for me, setting up a schedule and assisting me,” said Mike.“She will head the tennis camp for kids.Ross tells me you’ve played tennis on a high school team.Perhaps we can use your help with the camp.We’ll see.”
Hazel nodded agreeably, though she privately hoped she wouldn’t have to work with Tracy.
Ross stood.“Well, then, we’ll have you fill out the employment paperwork and return it to us as soon as possible.Congratulations, Hazel.Welcome aboard.”He shook her hand.
Then it was Hazel’s turn to shake hands with Mike.
His fingers gripped her hand, sending a stream of nervous energy up the length of her arm.At least, that’s how she was willing to accept the sensations that shot through her.The last thing she wanted was to get involved with someone at work.She knew how that went.
###
Hazel left the center and went directly home to fill out the paperwork.The job was much more than what she’d hoped for, both in scope and salary.She knew she’d be busy but felt secure about doing the job, even if it meant she’d have little time for anything else this summer.
After she’d completed filling out the papers, Hazel poured herself a glass of pinot noir and took it out to the deck to celebrate.Sitting in the peaceful surroundings, Hazel felt a wave of relief wash over her.She had the perfect reason not to go home this summer, as her mother wanted.
Rather than wait for the weekend to do any work at the Sports Center, Hazel used the next couple of afternoons after school to walk through the Center, to see what was happening in various parts, and to check for postings on the bulletin board.
Hazel made a list of things she could do from home, and during the evenings there, she set up both weekly and monthly activity schedules to post.
She also started separate files for Ross and Mike, including listings of classes with names, addresses, and phone numbers of participants in their classes, and for individual classes.
###
On Saturday morning, Hazel brought in her computer to show Ross and Mike what she’d done so they would approve of her posting the schedules on the bulletin board and at the reception desk.
Ross wasn’t there, but Mike was in his office with Tracy.
Hazel explained what she wanted to do and showed him her work.
He looked at it.“I’m impressed.This is the sort of thing that needs to be done.”
Tracy shrugged.“I could’ve done that.”
“I’ll look around to see what else I can do to get things organized,” said Hazel, anxious to leave his office.
