I made my way to the office of Mr. Drew, the camp administrator, to fill out the necessary forms. He’d filled his space with hand-drawn artwork from campers and a collection of educationalawards and certificates he’d amassed over his career. Mr. Drew himself looked to be in his early fifties, but it was hard to tell. People who work around kids have a certain youth about them. He had a kind face and a smile that sparkled with passion for his work.
Listing Terri and Gabriella as alternate emergency contacts, I found myself touched by how important Gabriella was becoming in my life. She wasn’t just my housemate anymore; she was a friend and someone I could rely on.
“How did you hear about our summer camp?” Mr. Drew asked casually as he looked over my completed forms.
“A friend,” I replied. “I’m new to the city. Retired from teaching and moved back here to my grandmother’s home.”Goodness gracious, I’m turning into Miss Mary. TMI.
“Oh!” He gave me that if-you-know-you-know look that everyone who spends their days with kids knows. It’s a thankless job that most wouldn’t trade for anything. “You’ve worked with kids, too?”
“Taught several elementary grades, team leader,” I said proudly. “Lots of experience signing kids up and making sure everyone’s happy and accounted for.”
“We’re glad to have Elijah here.”
“Well, I hadn’t planned on enrolling my grandson in day care, but I’m job hunting now and needed a place for him to go.”
“Ah, I see.” Mr. Drew leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. “Well, if you’re interested, we’re actually looking for someone to manage and coordinate adult educational and recreational programs part-time. Our last person found a remote position, and we can’t really compete with that. But, uh… Would you like to apply?”
“Really?” I busted out a bright smile at the unexpected opportunity. “I’d love to!”
“Great! When you leave, go past the weight room and you’ll see the main offices. You can fill out an application there.”
* * *
A few weeks later, after a strong reference from Eileen, I found myself sitting in the recreation center’s conference room on my first day as a program coordinator. I was only guaranteed twenty hours a week, but it paid better than a minimum-wage job would have offered, so I think I came out pretty good, given the math.
Yessss!!!
The mandatory training video about blood-borne pathogens droned on in front of me, but despite the boredom, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I had landed this job right when I needed it.
As I tried to focus on the video, my phone buzzed with a text message. Glancing down, I saw it was from Eric. My stomach tightened as I read his words:Will I get any time with Elijah this summer?
He was trying to play the victim, but I decided to take the high road.I’d be more than happy to trade off Friday and pick him up again Sunday night,I replied.Would you meet me halfway?
No. You’re the one who inconvenienced me,came his predictable response. I could practically hear the smugness in his voice as he typed his next message.It’s really sad that you’re so lonely you had to kidnap our grandson for company. Richard must not be very amusing.
My hands trembled with anger as I stared at the screen. How dare he? Was it Terri who had told him? Or had Elijah said something to his mother? Perhaps word had gotten around town and back to Eric. But in that moment, I realized it didn’t matter how he found out. What my ex-husband thought of me was irrelevant.
Have to gowas all I replied before putting my phone away. Iwouldn’t give him the satisfaction of engaging in his petty attempts to undermine me. Instead, I focused on the training video and the promising future that lay ahead of me.
The door to the training room swung open, and Gabriella appeared with a bright smile on her face. “Hey! They said you’d be in here. How’s it going?”
I paused the video and turned to face her, grateful for the distraction. “It’s going fine. Thanks for using your lunch hour to get Elijah so he can go to the library for the LEGO club meeting.”
“Ah, no problem,” she replied, waving off my gratitude. She glanced at the computer screen and made a face at the fake blood oozing from a fake cut on a young actor’s leg. “Ugh. Blood?”
I laughed. “Tell me about it. But I suppose it’s necessary for this job. People get hurt from time to time.”
“I guess,” she agreed, nodding. “Last week, the new dishwashing guy slammed his hand in the door.”
“How?” I tried to imagine.
“We have no idea.” She laughed. “Maybe he should have watched some safety videos, too. Gotta go pick up Elijah. See you at home tonight.”
A few hours later, I finally clocked out, relieved to put the mandatory training behind me. Eager to see Elijah, I headed to the library. I arrived halfway through his LEGO club meeting, so I decided to join the Chapter Chatters group that was already in session.
“Joyce, how nice to see you!” Christine exclaimed as I took a seat among them. The others nodded and echoed greetings as well.
After our welcome session, the group continued discussing a book about a woman who discovered her son was involved in ascandal at school—a prank gone wrong. Although I hadn’t read the book, I found myself enjoying their easy banter and thoughtful insights.
