Page 24 of Dump and Chase

Great. I had my three references. I’d spent all evening working on my resume and had Jill read over my cover letter. Then I’d sent Ethan the text asking him to be my final reference. I figured it would show that I had an interest in hockey and had connections with the professional team. I didn’t know what to expect. I probably didn’t have the experience they were looking for, but based on what the job was paying, not many in Vancouver could afford to take it unless they had another supplemental income. I had the luxury of free housing.

I’d filled my parents in about being fired over dinner, but I wasn’t going to elaborate on any plans until something actually happened. Of course, when Leah got home that night, Mom couldn’t wait to tell her, so my sister found me in my room. She was munching on an apple as she leaned up against my doorframe.

“Sorry about the job. But didn’t you hate it?”

“I didn’t hate it. I hated the shitty hours and the terrible pay.”

Leah smirked. “Then what did you like?”

I hated when she was right. “Fine, nothing.”

“What’s the plan now?” she said, standing over me at my desk.

“I’m not sure. I’ll send out some resumes.”

“Newman’s is hiring.”

The thought of being on my feet all day made me cringe. I was also pretty sure pregnant women wouldn’t make the cut at Newman’s. “I appreciate the offer, but I want to stick to my field.”

She turned to leave, but stopped to face me again. “Something is different about you? Something going on?”

I shrugged. “Maybe I’m just relieved to be moving on from my old job.”

She didn’t seem to be convinced, but let it slide. “All right. Well, good night.”

* * *

I woke up the next morning and checked my phone, more out of habit than anything else. I was yawning when I saw the email from the Ravens. Could I do an interview that afternoon? I shot up in bed in a panic. An interview already? I’d only just sent the resume. After having to pee because suddenly I needed to do that every hour, I paced my bedroom. This was suddenly serious. A job with the Ravens would push me closer to my old life and much closer to Ethan. On the flip side, I’d be away from the gossip and prying eyes here.

Since I had no idea what to do, I texted Jill and Wolseley in our group chat.

Ravens want to interview me this afternoon.

Wolseley replied first.

Woot!

I know, right! I’m going to do it, even just for the experience.

Good luck! ??

I’d showered and gone down to breakfast when Jill replied. As expected, she was my sober second thought.

If you take this job, you’re back in Ethan’s life. I don’t want you to go down the same road. I want you to live for yourself. Remember that when you do this interview. Is this a career move you want in the long term?

What did I want? Right now, I wanted a job. I wanted out of Minneapolis where everyone would be judging me. I could hear Leah tell me that I shouldn’t care, but how could I not? At least if I was in Vancouver, no one would talk about me. I’d be free to live my life. Pregnant and mostly alone, but free.

What if I said this was a steppingstone to something else? I’m never going back to being Ethan’s plus one. I didn’t work hard to finish my degree to sit around and look pretty all day.

Good. That’s what I want to hear.

I spent the rest of my morning doing interview prep and figuring out what to wear. I didn’t have to worry about Mom and Dad being around because they were out playing golf for a few more hours. When I told Leah about a job interview on Zoom, she said she’d go to the gym to give me some privacy.

I scoured the house for the perfect place to do the interview and chose the dining room table with a backdrop of some of Mom’s favorite artwork. I checked my hair and makeup one last time, making sure it was simple and natural looking. Then I flipped open my laptop, took a few deep breaths, and connected to the Zoom call.

I was greeted by three faces in what seemed to be a boardroom once the host let me in. A Ravens HR rep named Kathleen, the Ravens head athletic therapist named Allan, and the assistant athletic therapist named Jim introduced themselves. I subtly wrote down all their names. After some niceties, they dove in.

“Tangi, tell us a bit about your past experience,” Kathleen, the HR rep, said.

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