Page 104 of The Player Penalty
“A couple more events like that, at different races around the country.”
Planning skills are not my strong suit. “Do you want an event coordinator?”
“Oh, no, no, not like that.” Maddie raises her eyebrows, realizing how her earlier statement could be interpreted. “NASCAR has people who will do that. We need someone to work with drivers and other staff members to train and provide direction. Are you interested?”
It would mean staying on the road and having more travel opportunities with Julian. I’d have a purpose and a way to contribute toRMS’ssuccess without the unwanted job.
There’s also the opportunity to teach preschool, which is the exact job I pictured for myself.
It’s strange. I was embarrassing myself during an interview less than a year ago, and now two offers drop into my lap with no effort on my part at all.
Now, all that’s left is picking one. Unfortunately, deciding under pressure isn’t one of my strong suits. “Can I take a few days to think about it?”
“Take all the time you need,” Maddie says with a pleased smile.
∞∞∞
“The chicken is done,” Julian calls out from the other room.
I open the oven, pulling out the glass dish before turning everything off. Tonight’s dinner is baked chicken, brown rice, broccoli, and a side salad. It’s not fancy, but it’s Julian’s favorite meal. Since I’m not picky, we eat it all the time. “Dad, what would you like to drink?”
He grunts. “I can get my cup. You sit down and relax.”
Sure enough, Dad pours a glass of his favorite lemonade and sits opposite me, with Julian joining last.
Sometimes it doesn’t seem real. It wasn’t that long ago when Dad made a point of repeating his beloved diatribe about Julian’s poor character and lack of professionalism. My ego makes me want to claim some credit, but it’s all Julian’s doing. He convinced Pete Webb to change his mind, and my father is nothing if not stubborn.
Now, we sit down for dinner together at least twice a week, like other families do every night. Sometimes, we eat at Dad’s place, but usually, he comes to us.
For the longest time, there were only the two of us. Dad was my family, and that was more than enough. Now, there is Julian, and our little family unit is growing and changing into something new—something better.
I once told Julian that no matter what happens, it was important not to leave my father behind. We were each other’s only family. That’s still true if not quite the same way it was before.
Julian lives in his big house, with the one-bedroom guest house sitting empty. My clothes and everything else are slowly moving from my childhood bedroom to here, with him. It’s a gradual change, which suits me fine.
Still, I regularly stare out the kitchen window at the empty guest house and wonder. Julian’s experience shows it’s the perfect size for a bachelor who values simplicity.
“You’ll do great this weekend,” Dad says.
“I worry we’ll jinx it,” Julian says with a chuckle. “We wrecked in the spring.”
“This is the playoffs, and you’re going for the round of eight. You’ll have two drivers on the track who’ll step in to help.” Dad grunts as he removes his hat. “That was stupidity on someone else’s part. You won the year before and always finish in the top ten. You don’t even need to win.”
Julian blinks. “Is that how I’ve done? One track runs into another; it’s difficult to keep track.”
“It’s my job to keep track.”
I listen rather than contribute. There isn’t much to contribute; hearing them talk is better than anything I might say.
They discuss caution and fuel strategies before moving on to other drivers’ weaknesses.
My interest peters out, which is fine because it allows my mind to wander. Two job offers in one day, and I need to decide. One gives me time in the classroom, while the other gives me time with Julian and everyone else atRMS.
Why are decisions always so difficult?
“I had a job offer today. Two of them,” I blurt out as soon as there’s a lull in the conversation.
“What? Tell us about it,” says Julian.
