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1
Dakota
Do you believe in signs from the universe?
I didn’t used to, but there’s something special about the billboards on this highway I’m traveling on.
Every half a mile, I see a variation of the following:
“World’s Best Cherry Pie.”
“World’s Largest Ball of Yarn.”
“Curiosity Spot—Don’t You Wanna Find It?”
“The Mayor Doesn’t Bite—But He Might Lick You.”
I feel compelled to pull over.
See? It’s a sign from the universe.
Or it could just be that my butt hurts from driving for hours.
As I signal ahead of the exit, the dashboard screen changes from my music to a phone call from my dad.
I swallow down my anxiety and tap the answer icon.
“Hi, Dad,” I say, a little too perky.
“Hey! How was the interview?”
If I weren’t driving, I would squeeze my eyes shut out of shame. The most I can manage is to wince as I follow the signs for the place with the cherry pie.
“It was…uh…memorable?”
I ignore the pregnant pause while I scope out the vintage neon sign above the busy diner, then park in one of only two open spots.
“Uh oh. What are you not telling me?” Dad says.
“What do you mean?”
“Whenever you’re hiding something, your voice goes up at the end of your sentences,” he says.
The man is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for a reason. Although he started out writing sports, uncovering a hazing scandal set a fire under him, and he shifted to investigative reporting.
I really, really don’t want to break this man’s heart.
“I do?” I ask.
“Cody,” he says sternly, using one of my nicknames. He hasn’t busted out my middle name yet, so I’m not in deep shit yet.
“It could’ve been better,” I lie. “I was nervous the whole time, and I flubbed some basic steps during the test article.”
Dad laughs. “Did Old Mike put you to work during the interview? Still a cheapskate, I see. Anyway, there’s nothing to be nervous about. You are just as qualified to work for theHeraldas anybody. Maybe more so.”
With as many horrifying stories about curmudgeonly “Old Mike” whom Dad used to work with at one time in his storied career, I’m surprised that he would so readily dismiss my nervousness.
“I know, Dad.”
