Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Chad,
It’s late. Well, after one in the morning. I can’t sleep, and since you have to be up at the ass-crack of dawn, and I can’t call you, a letter it is. I’m really struggling with this job situation. I have three offers. One from Cooper Elementary and two from surrounding elementary schools. All three are good schools, in good neighborhoods, and not a far drive from Cooper.
I hate that I’m being so difficult, but my heart is telling me to hold out. It feels as though I’m settling, even though I know that’s not the case. I’ll still be a teacher, still helping to shape young minds, just not the new young minds I was hoping for.
Anyway, I hope that you’re settling in well. I miss you. Be safe.
Love,
Faith
Closing the notebook, I place it on the nightstand as a reminder to drop the letter in the mail tomorrow. Turning off the lamp, I snuggle back beneath the covers, and finally, sleep claims me.
I’m back in my room, hiding from my brother and best friend. I’m once again scouring the internet for jobs when my cell alerts me to a message.
Chad: Can you talk?
Me: To you? Always.
I’ve barely hit Send when my phone rings. “Hey,” I greet him.
“It’s good to hear your voice.”
“It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since we last talked.”
“Too long.”
“How was your day?”
“Long, exhausting, overwhelming. This new position is more responsibility, and while I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity, there’s a lot to learn.”
“You’re going to be amazing, Chad. You’re hard-working and dedicated, and I have no doubt you’re going to be kicking ass and barking orders in no time.”
He huffs out a laugh. “How about you? How was your day? Any luck with the job search?”
“Nope. I’ve applied for a few more. I’ve also been researching the three schools that offered me positions. Creeping on their websites and social media. Just trying to get a feel for each of them.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“I don’t know why I’m letting this stress me out so much. I should be thrilled that I have three offers to choose from. It’s not that I’m unhappy, but I really had my heart set on kindergarten.”
“I think you should take a step back. Take a break for a few days. Don’t look at jobs or research schools. Just chill and try to clear your mind. Maybe then you’ll feel more confident in your decision.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right.”
“That does sound nice, but it’s not like I have a job and am rolling in the dough to take a trip.”
“Come to me.”
I freeze. Pulling the phone away from my face, I make sure we’re still connected. “What?” I ask, placing the phone back to my ear.
“You heard me. Come to California. Visit me. I’ll rent you a room and buy you a plane ticket. Come here and enjoy the sunshine of the West Coast for a while. Clear your mind.”
“I can’t just come to California.”
“What’s stopping you, Faith? It’s the summer, you’re not committed to a job yet, and it’s California. I have the weekends off for now, except team workouts, and we can spend a day at the beach.”
“Are you even near the beach?”
“Yeah, well, kind of. Closer than you are,” he teases. “I heard some of the guys talking tonight, and Moreno Beach is just about one hundred miles from where I’m stationed.”
“That’s a long drive.”
“But it will be with me.”
“We’ll get there and have to turn around.”
“No, we can leave early, then spend the night, and drive home early the next day.”
“That’s a lot of driving when we could be visiting.”
“Babe, we’ll be together the entire time. Come on. It will be fun.”
“We don’t have to go to the beach.”
“Fine, we can do whatever you want. We can lock ourselves in your hotel room for all I care. We can have dinner each night and then explore the area on the weekends. I haven’t had time to do that yet. I need you here to experience it with me.” His voice is pleading, and I admit seeing him already has a strong appeal.
“I can’t let you buy me a ticket and a room. I have money saved up.”
“I can and I will. Look, I’ve saved almost every dime I’ve made while enlisted. I can afford to bring you out here, and I want to see you. Please say yes. I’ll take care of it all right now. You’ll have the details in your inbox within the hour.”
“I don’t know.” My heart gallops inside my chest. Can I really just pack up and go see him for a few days? I miss him like crazy, and honestly, I’m not doing much here right now. Excitement bubbles up inside me.
“Come on. Come to California, clear your head. Even if you get a position, I know you, and you won’t be taking any time off except for school holidays that teachers don’t have to come in for. You’re too dedicated. Please.”