Page 48 of The Liar in Room 5

“Really? I’ve only met him twice, but I like him.”

“Same.” Marcia glanced at him and smiled fondly. He noticed our attention and waved. We both waved back. “He wasn’t a fan of me in the beginning, but I’m happy to say I’ve grown on him.”

“Oh, I can’t imagine that,” I answered with a smile.

“Ha! True story. Anyway, we’re lucky you had time to join us today.”

During our conversation, we’d moved to a bench closer to the play equipment so we’d have a better eye on the kids. The other assistants and chaperones were on the other side. We, quite literally, had the kids corralled.

“That’s what happens when you’re a bum,” I muttered.

“What’s that?” Marcia asked with a puzzled expression.

“Oh, just saying that I didn’t have work today.”

“Cool. What do you do?”

She sounded genuinely interested, so I took a leap. Too bad Daddy wasn’t around to hear it.

“I’m between jobs at the moment.”

“Oof, that’s rough. Before I started my school, I was in corporate curriculum. When they start talking layoffs, the anxiety automatically spiked.”

“Is that why you opened it?”

“Yep. I got laid off in a restructuring, but they gave me a decent severance package, so I used it, plus my savings, to open this place.”

“Still use that curriculum?”

“Not even once. We like to focus on hands-on outdoor learning rather than worksheets. I know the kids like it, and I’m pretty sure parents aren’t sad about how worn out their kids are when they get home.”

The pride in her accomplishments was evident in Marcia’s voice. It was hard for me to imagine what it would be like to actually be accomplished like that. I went shopping and spent someone else’s money really well, but that wasn’t the same. I’d never admit it aloud to her, but I was thoroughly jealous.

“Yeah, I think Marc mentioned that.”

“So what do you normally do?”

Indecision paralyzed me. Did I admit the truth—that for twenty years I’d been someone’s arm candy and entertainment—or come up with a lie? Every part of me screamed for the lie, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“I’ve never had a real job. Just kind of floated, I guess.”

Marcia didn’t look shocked at all by my explanation, which was surprising in itself. She nodded knowingly.

“Yeah, sometimes we fall into patterns before we realize they’re the trap.”

“Exactly right.”

We sat in silence, watching the kids play chase or climb on the wooden rope pirate ship.

“But if you’re looking, we have an opening for an assistant. You’d have to get a formal background check and fingerprints. There are a few classes you’d have to take that we’d pay for, but they’re online. The fingerprints can be done next week, but the classes have to be completed within a month of starting. You could be working in a week if you’re interested.”

Marcia paused, then laser-focused on the bow of the ship.

“Eleanor, we don’t make our friends walk the plank…”

She left to solve the assassination plot, and I was left in shock at the suggestion.

Well, isn’t that something. A real job offer for a real job? I’d never had one of them before.