"Yes, this is that Sawyer," I managed to state calmly despite my internal freak-out. Was this really happening? It felt like a teenie bopper was jumping all around inside my head at her statement. I think I was going to pass out. This hadn’t been what I’d expected at all when I’d picked up the phone.
The Aldridge School, TAS for short, was the premier school for winter sports. Student-athletes who wanted the upper hand for college scholarships or were even hoping to make a team for the Olympics went to this school. It was a college preparatory program that allowed students to focus on studies while they trained and competed at a more advanced level than public high schools provided. It was the Walt Disney of high schools and any athlete would sell their soul for a chance to train or work there.
Most winter sports didn’t have the same trajectory as other sports. There wasn’t a national team that bobsled on Sundays, or songs sung about taking you out to the ice rink for some nachos and a root beer. So outside of the Olympics, there weren’t many career options. TAS offered injured, retired, and troublesome athletes a chance at a career in something they’d spent countless hours doing and loved. It was everything I needed at the moment with the addition of being the one place I could get answers. I’d desperately wanted to be there; in that moment it felt as if my entire future hinged on what happened next. Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself for what was to come.
The voice on the line let out an audible exhale as she exclaimed, "Oh wonderful! Somehow we’d lost your contact information, but I’d remembered you worked at an ice rink in Iowa from your audition video. I’ve been calling all the ice rinks in the state for the past week after we had an unexpected job opening. I’m so overjoyed to have found you, Ms. Sullivan. I am hoping that you are still available and interested in the position at TAS? You see, we have had an unexpected opening and would like to offer you the position. However, it starts in two weeks, and you would need to be here a couple of days before the term starts for staff meetings…" She kept talking, but I was no longer hearing what she was saying as my head got stuck on the job offer.
I had wanted to leave this state for the past three years, ever since I had turned eighteen. It was time to find the truth and stop hiding. This place only served to remind me of what I’d lost and suffocated me in grief and complacency. These years have shown me that if I don’t find answers, I will be stuck in this holding pattern forever. So, I worked, planned, trained, and hoped. Hoping that I would get to feel joy, acceptance, and connection again. My goal became my focus, and it helped to stave off the depression by not letting the 'mind monsters' win. The past six months had started to feel hopeless and that I may be stuck here forever no matter how much I wanted out. My life would amount to this ice rink where I taught four-year-olds how to properly fall on their butts and mopping up the damn bathrooms until I was old and as grey as Charlie.
"Do you accept that offer, Ms. Sullivan?" the voice squawked at me from the receiver. I quickly refocused on the conversation, but I decided to stall since I had no idea what she was referring to.
"I’m not sure, Ms... I'm sorry I don't recall your name, but it is awfully short notice, and I would have to rush a lot of things to be able to be there on time. Not to mention I would need to give notice at my current job, and I would hate to disappoint my students," I spoke with false sincerity, needing her to repeat the offer so I could perceive it this time. Shocked by the offer was an understatement.
"Of course, Ms. Sullivan, here at The Aldridge School, we would like to offer a generous salary, housing accommodations, meal planning…," she droned on. I sat listening to the "amenities package, wages, housing, and equipment package" that the squawky lady (still did not know her name) dribbled on about; I started to become faint. This could not be real. Things like this did not happen to me anymore. When she finally finished, I sat there quietly, digesting her words.
Squawky cleared her throat loudly, "Well, Ms. Sullivan, do we have a deal?" I didn't even have to consider it. For the opportunity to be there, I would have accepted the job for much less. It was finally happening, and it seemed I was getting out of here and getting a chance to pursue something more with skating too. My future was finally headed somewhere. But mostly, I was getting closer to finding out the truth. The truth that still haunted me every night.
"Yes, I accept," I replied vehemently. Squawky may not be able to see my head, but it was nodding vigorously, nonetheless.
"Wonderful, Ms. Sullivan," responded Squawky, who now sounded like the cat that got the cream. "I will email you the contract, travel arrangements, medical information needed, and personal documents that you will need to submit before your move."
After a few more details, we ended the call and I placed the phone back on the cradle. Sitting there in shock, I processed her words. Slowly, a huge grin spread across my face, and I squealed in delight while doing my happy dance. Now...to just tell Charlie. Crap.
Chapter 2
Elias
Looking over the students that I would be tutoring this semester filled me with a sense of achievement. I liked to have a general idea of where they were in their studies, their weaknesses and strengths, and what sport they were committed to. Each student had a different lesson plan, and I liked to complete them before the term started. Only having four students from each grade made it feasible. It was one of the advantages of teaching here. I was able to focus on individuals instead of having to educate a whole class.
My job provided me with the ability to change my teaching based on the students' preferred learning style, which I felt was necessary for the best possible outcomes. It was also part of my doctoral thesis comparing the different learning styles, techniques, and how the traditional school system failed most students because they were only geared toward one type of learning.
I had been tutoring here for four years now and able to implement my unique learning techniques, and I was happy with the results that I was cultivating. It was almost time to publish my findings and finish my doctorate. If I had not let myself get distracted last year by a pretty face, false promises, and thinking I could have it all, I would be closer to finishing. That was a mistake I would not make again. Now, I was focused on my career and where I wanted to be in five years—no more distractions. Speaking of distractions, my phone vibrated with a text message.
Voldemort: I really think you are making this into a bigger deal than it needs to be. It's been over a year. Haven't you forgiven me yet, Eli? It was only one time. I was drunk, and it was a stupid mistake. It didn't mean anything. We are good together. We belong together.
And ignore. I did not need her constant vitriol in my life anymore. If I did not love my job here as much as I did, I would have left a year ago to avoid having to see her everywhere.
Voldemort: Come on, Eli, forgive me, and I'll do that thing with my tongue you like. I'll even let you do anal.