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I rubbed my forehead. It wasn’t that I didn’t like talking to them. They were awesome parents. They were just also co-captains of the PDA club, and that was the last thing I needed at the moment—undying, romantic love between the two people who gave me life. Gross.
“Denver, you there?”
“Yeah, Dad. I’m here. Sorry, just thinking about something.”
“Oh, yeah? Lay it on us.”
“Who are you dating right now?” Mom added. “Is it still Makenna?”
“Makayla. And no. She broke up with me.”
“What? Why? You barely started dating. When you mentioned how much she liked to bake I thought this one might last.”
“What does baking have to do with a lasting relationship?” Dad asked. “You don’t bake, and I like you just fine.” From the scuffling and giggling sounds that came right after, I was pretty sure they were chasing each other around the kitchen.
“Hanging up now.”
“No, Denver. Don’t go yet. I’m really sorry about Makayla. Does this mean you don’t have Friday night plans? You can come over and eat dinner with us. I made your dad’s favorite. Sour cream enchiladas.”
“I’m fine, Mom. And I have plans.” I didn’t, but while I’d been mindlessly driving and talking to them, my subconscious had taken me in the direction of my gym. I wished I had my swim bag with me. Lap after lap in the pool sounded amazing right now.
“Anything else going on we should know about?” Dad asked. It was like he sensed there was something different, but since GoWithFriends had left me hanging, it was better not to mention it.
“Nope. Everything else is exactly the same. What about you two?”
That was all the encouragement they needed. For the next ten minutes, I heard about the cooking class they were taking together, my nana’s latest shenanigans in the retirement community, and how Buster was being tormented by the neighbor’s cat.
By the time I got a word in edgewise, I was walking into my gym. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”
“Okay, son. Don’t be a stranger,” Dad said.
“And bring your next girlfriend over so we can meet her,” Mom called out.
“I’ll get right on that. Love you, bye.” I ended the call before they could tell me anything else, and sighed over Mom’s insinuation that I’d easily find a replacement Makayla tomorrow. It was an oft-repeated joke of ours, but I was really starting to get tired of it.
Chapter 7 – Sadie
Brenda from GoWithFriends called me on Friday morning as I was heading into work. Jenny was walking with me, and I frantically pointed at my phone. “It’s them!” I mouthed.
“Good luck,” she mouthed back.
I made an immediate U-turn and headed back to my car, shutting myself in for privacy. “Hi, Brenda. It’s good to hear from you.” At least, I hoped this was a good call and not a cross-us-off-your-list kind of call. I didn’t have a list. It was this or staying at my current job.
“Sadie, I’m reaching out because I have some good news for you. We’d like to offer you a position in data management. We’ll start you with vetting and approving new users of our service. Can you begin two weeks from Monday?”
“Absolutely.” I gave my steering wheel a fist bump and did my best to stay focused.
“Sadie, we really liked all the questions you asked in your interview and your fearlessness in speaking your mind. Keep doing that. We strive to be flexible in our methods and we’re always looking to improve and innovate. Do you have any questions for me right now?”
Normally, I’d have a thousand. But there was something about being asked that stalled my brain. “I don’t have any at the moment, but I’m sure they’ll all come to me the second we end this call.”
Brenda laughed. “That’s how it works, isn’t it? Write them down as they come to you, and we’ll see you soon. I’ll have someone from HR reach out later today. They’ll want to email you paperwork.”
“Thanks, Brenda.”
As soon as she hung up, I bolted out of my car, waving my fob behind me and locking the car as I ran. I glanced up at the big clock on the wall when I skidded up to the elevators and caught my breath. Two minutes late. That was okay. I was never late without a good reason, and this was the best reason ever.
Not wanting Carmen to spill the beans to everyone, I kept the news to myself all morning, only calling Jenny at lunch time since she pretty much already knew.
