Page 3 of Fight

I straighten my pressed slacks. The dryers in the women’s locker room didn’t get hot enough to pull all the wrinkles out of my cotton blouse, but it got most of them. Living out of a suitcase will do that—living out of acarwill do that.

Hopefully, my attire isn’t a make-or-break factor for getting this EMT job. If I get the offer, I’ll be able to put a deposit down on a small studio apartment in Sky Ridge. The landlord said I could pay with cash on a month-to-month basis. I’ve already agreed to take it, sight unseen. As long as it has a roof, four walls, and a bathroom, I don’t care what it looks like. I’ve already listed it as my address on my paperwork, and so far, no one haschecked.

A man steps out of one of the offices. “Hi, Prescott? I’m Noah, we spoke on the phone earlier.”

I school my face into a smile and glance up into the kind eyes of a large man. He’s the hiring manager of this municipal office, where they handle some openings for county resources—like the EMT position I’m hoping to land.

Rising to my feet, I eagerly take his hand. “Yes. So nice to meet you.”

Gripping his palm, I maintain a firm handshake. I’m not weak.I’m not weak.

I have my qualifications, I’ve done this job before, I’ve completed all the paperwork. I’ve earned this on my own. I’m ushered into his office and take the chair across from his desk while he takes his seat on the other side.

The tan metal desk is littered with papers and calendars. I swallow as he sifts through the piles until he snatches up a manilla folder. When he opens it, I see my name.

“It appears all your quals and packets are up-to-date,” he mutters, flipping through some of my application paperwork without looking at me.

I nod. “Yes, sir.”

“How soon are you wanting to start?”

“As soon as possible.”Was that too quickly?I don't want him to know how desperate I am.

“I think we can accommodate that.” He flips through the papers again, searching for something. “Did you have your vaccine records faxed over?”

Shit.

“Oh, I thought I did,” I lie, leaning forward for emphasis, as if I’m surprised they aren’t in the file. “My apologies, would it be all right if I email a copy of them this afternoon?”

“That’s fine.” He closes the folder. “As you know, we have an opening for an EMT at the Sky Ridge Fire Department, it’s off County Road 2, not far from here.”

I’ve driven by it at least a dozen times, each time saying a whispered prayer to the hiring gods. With this being such a small town, the competition is down, putting the odds in my favor.

“They’ve got a great crew over there. I think you’ll fit in well.” He slides another paper from the folder.It looks like an offer letter.My heart gallops, and I bite back tears. “Thirty-six hours a week. Three on, four off.”

Perfect.“I’m used to working twelves.”

“Pays twenty-one fifty an hour.”

“Great.”

Please let me sign.

“Any other questions?”

“No, sir. I’d love the job.”

He grabs a pen, seemingly pleased to have me out of his hair.

“Excellent. I’ve already drawn up the offer letter.”

He hands it over for me to glance at, and I nod, resisting the urge to squeal.

“We’ll hold onto it until we get your vax records. After you send that over and everything looks good, then I’ll email a copy of the offer letter, just sign and email it back. That way you don’t have to make another trip out here.” He clears his throat. “Once that’s complete, you’ll be authorized to start next Tuesday. Good?”

“Great!” I smile, it’s my first genuine one in a while. “That’s no problem at all, I’ll email a copy of them as soon as I get back. Thank you.”

I got a job.

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