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Her proximity was alarming. I could smell the dehydrated peaches and mimicked roses on her skin. The perfume she wore was cheap, unflattering, and offensive, to say the least. I was insulted and offended immediately.
“You smell like shit,” I grunted, finally removing the hat from my face as I sat up in the chair.
The moment I saw her beautiful face and anguished eyes, I wondered if I’d ever regretted anything in life more than I did agreeing to interviewing the woman before me. Deemed speechless, I gazed into her round, oversized eyes that seemed far too large for her slim face. There was only one other person in the world I’d known with eyes like those. And, unfortunately, I hadn’t seen them for a while.
Anna. She reminded me every bit of my wife. Her presence reminded me she wasn’t here with me today, pissing me off. I could feel the muscles in my face tighten as my expression changed. Disgust was displayed but it was pain I felt.
“I’ll compensate you for the journey, but I don’t think you’re fit for the job.”
Standing to my feet, I allowed the loaded shotgun to fall at my side. I started my journey into the house, but was stopped midway.
“That’s unfair.” The woman who reminded me of my misery raised her voice.
Just as quickly, she altered it, lowering it a few notches, yet still commanding my attention. “That’s unfair,” she repeated herself, this time, much slower and much calmer.
I turned to face her, needing to have just one more look at her before vowing to never have another.
“Neither is life. You’re not fit for the job. End of story.”
“I’m the only one for the job,” she stated as a matter of fact.
With a titter, I broke the vow I’d made and gave her another look. And then another. And then another. Each time my eyes left her, they made their way right back to her. She stood, dressed in beige from head to toe. Her slim frame was etched in my head. I’d made love to one just like it for over twenty years. I’d never forget it.
“Oh yeah?”
“Please. I came all the way from Channing. I’m not sure why, but I’m here for a reason. If you’d just take a second to get to know me, you’ll see that I’m exactly what your dau—child needs in an educator and caretaker. I’m attentive, patient, understanding, persistent, knowledgeable, reliable, passionate, nature-focused, creative, kind, nurturing—”
I zoned out, not hearing another word she spoke as she described a woman I once knew as if she’d known her, too. Pulling in a deep breath, I released it just as she concluded her speech. I had only one question and it wasn’t for her. It was for the man upstairs that seemed to think my life was destined to be a circus.
Discernment had always been a gift of mine, but today it felt like more of a curse. Staring at the long-haired woman with luggage at her side, I knew, without a doubt, that she was the woman for the job and Aussie would love her. However, I wanted no parts of her and I wanted that raggedy ass luggage off my property sooner than later.
“Aeir, is it?”
“Yes,” she responded.
“I’ll call you,” I lied.
“You won’t.” She called my bluff.
“Why do you have luggage?”
“Because your home was my first stop after landing. I couldn’t risk tardiness. It’s unlike me and I didn’t want to give you another excuse not to consider me for this position.”
“Hmph.”
“So, if you could find it in your heart to continue with the interview as planned, I’d love that and I won’t feel as if my energy, time, and effort has been wasted.”
“August 1st, 7:30 a.m. sharp. School starts. Be here.”
I didn’t wait for her to gather her thoughts before making a run for it. But, again, she stopped me.
“Wait. I thought it started sooner.”
“August.”
“But even if that is the case, I can’t just show up on August 1st. Years of teaching a first-grade class taught me that preparation is key. The environment won’t be prepared for learning August 1stif I show up on August 1st. There’s so much that needs to be done before then. I’ll need time. I’d like to start preparing for the day school begins now. Compensation isn’t needed. I’d also like to get to know your child, figure out what type of learner they are and what methods work best for them.”
She wasn’t a newbie. She was well-versed. That wasn’t up for debate, but the idea of her hanging around until August didn’t sit well with me. Essentially, she was a stranger. But the idea of inviting her on August 1st, when Aussie was ready to start school, only to discover she was psychotic or wasn’t mentally stable, didn’t sit well with me either. I’d seen a mind break right in front of my own eyes. It could happen to anyone, and if I could catch it before Aussie was in the mix, I wanted to.
