Page 8 of Passing the Red Line
With Gus gone, I'm left standing in a hallway with two big glass doors that have a huge Dark Knights logo right in the center.
As an artist, the Knights logo is my absolute favorite in all of sports. There’s something about it that just fits so perfectly with the team and the city. There is no other logo like it. And maybe it’s just me, but it has almost a vigilante of the night feel to it.
Like whoever named the team really liked and thought it was the best idea in the world to name a hockey team after the caped crusader himself. And honestly, it works.
You’re distracting yourself.
I am.
For years, I told myself that I was happy traveling and it being just me and my camera. When it came to settling down in one place, I thought I would find something in my forties and take it one day at a time.
But when the email from the Knights landed in my inbox, a part of me relaxed because if I was able to get the job, I wouldn’t have to think about where or when my next assignment would be. I would have a steady paycheck and not have to worry about if I can afford a roof over my head for the next two months.
It was like a relief washed over me and I wasn’t expecting. Especially given that if I were to do it, I would be working for the same team as my dad.
Now here I am, about to walk into an interview that could settle me down, sweating through my blouse.
“I can do this. I candothis.” I square my shoulders and push open the glass door and walk into the madness that is an NHL team’s front office.
I guess this is what it's like when your team is on a hot streak and has a high chance of making it to the playoffs. Madness, madness anywhere.
“Are you Elaina?” a female voice says from my right as soon as the door closes behind me.
Turning, I find a woman that looks about my age standing a few feet away from me with a smile on her face.
“I am,” I say, walking over to her and extending my hand.
“It’s to meet you. I’m Heather, the person you are meeting with today. I’m so glad you were able to make it.”
“Me too.” I say to her, really meaning it.
“Should we get started? Your email said that you were just finishing up an assignment down in Puerto Rico, and I want to hear all about it.” Heather guides me to a conference room and for the next two hours we talk about everything.
What the position entails. A handful of my assignments and if I have any knowledge about hockey or the hockey world. When I told her just how extensive my knowledge of the sport really is, I knew I got the job in the bag.
The team’s photographer is retiring at the end of the season, so I would start in this position at the start of the next season. I have a summer gig lined up in California for the summer and nothing after that so if I get it, it would all work out.
“So I think I have everything that we need. The team loves your work,” Heather tells me, giving me a big smile that I can’t help but return.
“I’m glad.” My words may not project it but I’m bursting at the seams to jump from my seat and start giggling like a mad woman.
“Is there anything you want to add to the interview before I go and draw up the official offer letter?”
This whole interview has been about my work and how I would be perfect for this position. The whole time, there has been no mention of my parental background.
As much as I want to keep who my dad is a secret, I have to tell her. I can’t start a job with secrets.
“Actually, yes.” I start, squaring my shoulders again like I did when I first walked in here. “You should know that the name Eliana Solis is what I use professionally. My legal name is Elaina Solis-Anderson, as in Dark Knight’s head coach Shawn Anderson. I’m his daughter.”
“Oh,” Heather answers, surprised, but she quickly fixes her expression. “I didn’t even know that coach Anderson had a daughter. Maybe if I had, this whole process would have been a whole lot easier.”
I let out a laugh with her but it’s a little strained. “So me being his daughter isn’t a problem?”
Heather shakes her head. “Of course not. The Knights are a family blood or otherwise, and your work speaks for itself. We would have hired you with or without Shawn.”
I let out a fist bump in my head.
“Great.” I say, my smile stretching so big, it's hurting my cheeks.
