We had rented out the hotel restaurant, and they had decked it out with wreaths and lights. It reminded me of the resort and all the memories that came with that. I breathedin the smell of pine trees and a fireplace and straightened my shoulders.
Did Penny and Christian require all family and the wedding party to wear red and green? Sure did. I looked like a fancy Christmas tree, while my mom wore an elegant red dress that matched my dad’s tux. We were utterly, without shame, ridiculous. I had it better than Garrett though. He was assigned to dress up as Santa, beard and wig and all. His obnoxiousho ho hos could be heard across the entire restaurant, but I had to hand it to him. He played the part well.
Old Me would’ve eaten this up. The gingerbread men on the tables, the cutout snowflakes dangling with twinkle lights from the ceiling. The place looked magical.
My phone buzzed with a familiar area code. It was Christmas Eve, so the timing was a little strange, but I answered. “This is Charlotte.”
“Hi, Charlotte. I apologize for the call on a holiday, but I figured this would be a great gift,” a professional yet friendly male voice said.
“Love the positivity, but who is this?”
The man cackled. “It’s Mitch, the junior high athletic director.”
“Oh, hi, Mitch.” My stomach swooped in the horrible, missed-a-step-and-almost-fell-to-your-death kind of way. I slammed the drink down on the floor, like he could see me right now. “Uh, what can I do for you?”
“Be the softball coach at the junior high. Start the program for us. Create a dynasty of young players. We host clinics every summer for young players, but we have nooversight. It’s parents running it, and it’s a mess. You impressed the hell out of me at your interview, and Peter… well, he’s missing out. I couldn’t be sure we had the opening yet, but I found out today. Be our coach. Let’s make the best softball program in central Illinois.”
“You want me… to be your coach?” I asked, breathless.
“Yes. If you’re still interested.”
“Yes! Yes!” I screamed, the joy overtaking me to the point that I jumped into the air. “I would love to do this with you, Mitch. Ah! Thank you. I could… yes. We could start a summer camp for the girls and have the older girls run it, and—”
He laughed. “This is why I wanted to hire you. You have the passion and vision to build something long term. I saw your plan and how you can certainly do this successfully. I want to build something special for our young female students, and you’re the person to partner with on this.”
“Thank you, Mitch.” I closed my eyes, smiling like a total goober in the closet of a restaurant. “I won’t let you down.”
“I know, Charlotte. Now, sorry to interrupt your family time.”
“Oh, it’s nothing, I’m not—We’re good. This is better.”
He laughed. “Holidays with the family overwhelming?”
“Something like that.”
“Merry Christmas, Charlotte. I’ll email you after break with the official offer, and you can stop by to talk.”
“Merry Christmas!” I replied, spinning in a circle and fist pumping the air. He hung up, and I let out a squeal as butterflies fluttered in my gut with anticipation.I’m going to be a coach.
I impressed him.Me.I would get to grow a program. He wanted to partner with me.
A horrible combination of a laugh-snort left my mouth as I squeezed my hands together. This was amazing. This was what I wanted. This was… perfect. I had to tell my family!
Bolting from the closet, I ran smack-dab into Garrett’s large frame.
“What the heck are you doing in there?” He rested a hand on my shoulder, balancing me.
“Why aren’t you at your post, Santa?” I fired back, the adrenaline causing my voice to come out way too loud and fast.
“Sometimes, Santas have to use the restroom. Don’t tell anyone though.” He winked before studying me. His white beard tilted to the side as he arched a brow. “What’s up? You have this… look on your face.”
“Garrett.” I jumped up and down and held his hand. “The junior high athletic director, the one on the interview panel, called me. He wants me at the junior high location. He wants to hire me as their softball coach!”
“No fucking way!” Garrett said, beaming. “This is great news, Char. Ah!”
“Right?”
He pulled me into a bear hug, walking backward toward the tables. “I need to use the bathroom and get back before Penny or Christian yells at me, but you need to tell everyone. I’m so happy for you, Char. You deserve this.”
