Page 97 of Beginning Fate

“I promise you, Lauren, you have far more experience than the last three ASL teachers we’ve had combined. Please, just think about it. Talk it over with your mate and your sister if you need to. But you’d be filling a big need here at Archibald Reynolds.”

“Wh-what would it entail?” I asked, still unable to believe this was really happening.

“The students are requesting an uncredited conversational class. But several have inquired about changing their schedules for ASL101. It’s technically still listed as Jones did not give her notice prior to the semester schedule release. You can look it over and see if there are any times that don’t work for you. It would be two 101 level courses, plus a 201 class. Denny was the only person who requested to take 301 and was making arrangements for it to be an independent study course. Though, I’m certain given the opportunity now, he would very much prefer a one-on-one class.”

The man had a twinkle of humor in his eye as he said it.

I groaned.

“I’m sure he would,” I muttered.

The dean just stared at me, waiting for a response or something until I was squirming in my seat.

“This is crazy! I’m not qualified for this?”

“If it were any other academic class, I would agree. But for ASL, you would be a tremendous asset to our language program.”

Then he slid a piece of paper and pamphlet across the table to me.

“This is the salary I’m prepared to pay, along with a list of benefits the school offers. And of course your mate and sister would both receive free education here.”

My jaw dropped as he spoke and I nearly fainted at the number he’d written down. I didn’t come close to that working three jobs back home.

My heart raced with excitement, but I knew I needed to rein it in.

I cleared my throat. “I’ll need to discuss this with Denny and Kylie first. I’m working on boundaries to allow her to live her own life here. I’m not sure how she’ll handle such an intrusion from me, if I’m being honest.”

“Very well. But I’ll need an answer by Monday.”

I nodded, shook his hand, and thanked him for the opportunity.

As I left his office and walked back across campus, I was battling shock. Was this really happening? Could I do it?

I’d been teaching ASL for most of my life. How hard could it be?

When I got back to the house, Tyler and his mate Josie were there hanging out with some of the guys. I’d briefly met the other mates, but I didn’t really know any of them yet. I did know that Josie also worked for the school though.

“Hey Lauren,” she said.

“Hi, Josie. Can I talk to you for a minute?”

If I was going to seriously consider the offer, I wanted to know more about the environment I’d be working in.

“Sure, let’s go for a walk.”

I nodded and followed her out.

“What’s up?” she asked once we were out of earshot of the house.

“I had a meeting with Shannahan today. I’m not sure what to think about it.”

“Okay . . .”

She patiently waited for me to continue.

“You work here at the ARC, right?”

“Yes. I’m a physical therapist. I work in the sports center handling therapies for all the athletes here.”

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