Page 84 of Hitting the Gap

“Hi Howard. How are you?”

“I’m doing well. Listen, I know you aren’t supposed to start work until September, but I was wondering if you’d be able to come in and discuss a speaking opportunity.”

Speaking opportunity? “You want me to guest lecture?”

“I’d like to discuss a couple of opportunities. Do you have time today or tomorrow to meet?”

“I’m available either day.”

“Wonderful. How is today at 3:00? I can get you setup in your new office at the same time.”

“3:00 works great.”

“See you then.”

Bailey hung up the phone. A couple of opportunities. What could that possibly be about?

At 2:30 pm, Bailey strolled around the University bookstore, familiarizing herself with the books they carried for the sociology department. She’d wandered around the campus a couple of times since she’d been in town but hadn’t really spent much time here yet. When the school year started in September, it would become her home away from home. No point in spending too much time there already. She hadn’t planned on getting her office set until July or August. It was barely June.

She glanced at her watch and slowly made her way toward the sociology building.

A few students sat scattered across the lawn, studying. The scene would look completely different come September when classes were fully in session.

Bailey pulled open the door to the Social Sciences building.

She wandered down the hall in search of Howard’s office. She checked her watch one more time. 2:55 pm. Perfect. Better early than late. Bailey knocked on the door.

Howard stood as she entered the room and shook her hand. “Bailey, good to see you. Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.”

“Of course.”

Howard gestured for her to take a seat, and he sat back down at his desk. “How are you enjoying San Diego so far? Are you getting settled in?”

“I am yes.”

“Wonderful. You’re probably wondering why I’ve asked you in today.”

She shifted in her seat. “I am.”

“Two reasons, actually. First. Would you be interested in teaching a summer session?”

“This summer?”

“Yes. Daphne was supposed to teach a class in July, but she’s had something come up and needs a leave. We’d rather not cancel the class, so I’m hoping you’d like to teach it.”

“What’s the course?”

“Social perspectives in a social media age.”

“With what focus?”

“Daphne’s specialty is social change, but we are open to narrowing it down to something in your area, since the course description is deliberately vague at the moment.”

July wasn’t that far away. Not a lot of time to plan a course, depending on the subject matter. “Although I’ve taught lessons on social media, I haven’t taught an entire class on the subject. I’m not sure I’d be ready.”

“Daphne has left all of her course material and lessons for whoever takes over the class. I’m confident you will be able to pull it together. We’ve had an overwhelming response to your upcoming class this fall. It seems the students here are extremely interested in your expertise. We believe they’d also be interested in something similar in a class about social media.”

Could she get a course together by then and do it well? Yes, it would certainly mean a change to her current routine, but she was finding herself a little bored when Gonzo was out of town, anyway. “I’d be happy to teach the course as long as in my evaluation you take into account the short notice.”

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