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Beach Newsbecame even crazier with increased ad sales and more story opportunities. Sofia found the rhythm she’d longed for in the job, the cause and effect, where she could see in dollars that her efforts were paying off. Her father had unofficially been the publisher and she the editor.
On Thursday before the long weekend, Steven came to the office to propose a change.
“My interest in the paper has diminished to the point that I’d like you to take the publisher’s title now and hire an editor to take your place. You’ll still be the reporter and writer for the paper, but you won’t have to sell advertising or do the copy editing for the ads. What do you think?”
She really didn’t want the responsibility but couldn’t tell her father that. Being the publisher meant more than just having the title, it meant dealing with the art staff and the printer, distribution, accounting. And less time for writing her book.
“Dad, I really appreciate the confidence you have in me, but I don’t see how I’ll have any time to write if I take that on.”
“You’ll need to delegate. You won’t have to do cold calls or deal with advertisers. I know it’s a lot. But you’re doing well enough with the start of summer to hire out those two positions. Place a full-page ad in the paper. The positions will be perfect for a new grad, too. Tell the ad executive that it is completely up to him or her if the job extends beyond the summer months.”
“Okay,” she said, still doubtful. It was time to grow up and she didn’t want to. Having daddy in charge made everything easier. “I’ll work on it this weekend.”
“What are you doing for the holiday?” he asked, hoping she wasn’t expecting an invitation. He wanted to relax around the pool, smoke cigars and drink beer.
“I live at the beach. Just hanging out is a celebration,” she said, laughing. “You’re welcome to stop by.”
“I’ll pass, but thank you. Watch out because Isabella is looking for an invitation.”
“Tell Isabella I’ll be crushed if she doesn’t come by. She can even stay the weekend if she wants.”
“What about your tenant?”
“What about him? That’s just a friendship, Dad. I sort of thought we were having a date last weekend, but then it’s been completely platonic. I’m a little confused.”
“He’s got a lot on his plate. Uncle John told me that he’s going to have to fight to get his license back. They’ll be watching every move he makes the second he appeals. Do you know if he’s done that yet?”
“No. He hasn’t said a word. I know he was going to apply for some refresher course.”
“Okay, well, according to John, he’ll have his work cut out for him.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s not easy. Even for a seasoned doctor.”
“It’s yet another thing I have zero control over.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“Dad, you have nothing to be sorry for. I let a homeless guy move in with me. Why on earth do I have any expectations? Like you said, he has a lot on his plate.”
They chatted a bit longer and he had to leave. Feeling defeated, she gathered up her things to leave for the day even though it was early. She could work from home. For the first time since Ryan had moved in, she wished she could have the house to herself for a change, walk around in her underpants and a T-shirt. Leave her hair in a messy bun and not brush her teeth first thing.
The doorbell rang five minutes after she walked through the door. It was the mailman with a certified letter for Ryan. She signed for it, and her heart started pounding like a drum in her chest. Looking at the return address, it was from UC San Diego Physician Refresher Program, Benjamin Hartford, Chief Medical Officer.
Looking up at the wall, a wave of heat starting at her feet spread over her body. Benjamin Hartford was Jake’s father. He was on the faculty at UCSD.
The Hartfords had contacted Sofia just once after Jake died. They’d greeted her warmly at the funeral, but after that, it was as if they couldn’t forget about her fast enough. She often wondered if they had bothered to embrace her, if the trauma of his loss could have been lessened. But no. The apartment he’d shared with his surfing buddy was off-limits to her right away. She’d never stayed there overnight, Steven and Karen would have had a fit, but she did keep a few things there, makeup and shampoo and a change of clothes.
“You should ask them where your stuff is,” Isabella ranted. “They are so disrespectful.”
“They lost their kid,” Sofia murmured. “It’s okay if they’re not thinking about me.”
But it really wasn’t. Now she wondered what the impact of Ryan Albright living with her would have on his reentry into medicine. Deciding that this was yet another thing over which she had no control, she’d inform him as soon as he got home that afternoon, and let him handle it.
She sent him a text about the letter, however.
You got a certified letter from the reentry program.
