Page 5 of Minor Trouble
“Yes, that’s right, it was a maternity cover position. While they would have liked to have kept me on, the budget wasn’t there for more guidance counselors. I’m sure they’d provide you with a reference if you needed it.” I would gladly have stayed in the last school but understood their reasons.
“Ah, that makes sense.” The principal appeared to stall for time, flipping through her portfolio presumably looking for a list of interview questions. “Let’s move onto the more practical examples now. Could you tell me about a time when you’ve been able to identify behavioral problems in a student and act appropriately to remedy the situation?”
For the next hour, she asked questions about the value of individual and group counselling sessions, how I’d helped students evaluate their attributes and get them to realize their objectives, how I’d advised them on their college applications, examples of where I’d worked with parents, academic staff and external partners, and I provided more evidence around problem solving and conflict resolution. When we spent more time on the last two areas, I wondered whether Cali Cross High had experienced problems in that area. I asked her a few things which I wanted to know, and she happily answered.
“I see you’re not local.” Principal Collins tapped on my address. “Are you considering relocating?”
“Absolutely,” I asserted. “There’s nothing keeping me where I am, and I’d like a fresh start.”
Opportunities for guidance counselors where I currently lived were few and far between. Despite my mother’s assurances I’d find something, I hadn’t and had set my sights further afield. While I’d miss my family and friends, my career was important to me, and if it meant leaving them to do the job I loved, I’d find a way to deal with it.
“Good.” She ran a finger over her notes, made a few check marks, then looked across the table at me. “I think that’s all for today, unless you have any more questions?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. You said you’d show me around campus?”
Principal Collins tucked her pen inside her portfolio and closed it. I wondered if I could ever have nice stationery like that. “Of course, Ainsley. I’ll get Lyla to give you the guided tour. We have a couple more candidates to see, but I should be able to let you know by the end of this week.”
“Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you.” We stood and shook hands again. “It was lovely to meet you.”
On the drive back home, I mulled over everything that had happened today. The nice lady at the cafe, my interview with Principal Collins, and the campus tour courtesy of Lyla. Cali Cross seemed like a good place and I really,really,wanted the job there.
The next few days dragged interminably. I busied myself making half-hearted applications for other positions in other schools and sorting out my wardrobe with the intention of buying new clothes as soon as I found out about the job. Every time my phone rang, I leaped on it, only to be disappointed when it turned out to be a cold caller or worse, my mother asking if I’d heard anything. By the time Friday rolled around, I was expecting the worst. They would surely have interviewed the other candidates by now and probably offered it to someone who would think about it over the weekend. I’d have to wait until Monday to find out the bad news.
I was contemplating whether to order in or cook when my cell rang. This time, I didn’t even bother to look at the screen before answering.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Ainsley?”
My heart stopped at the sound of Principal Collins’ voice.
“Hi, yes, hello!” Flustered, I could barely get my words out.
“First of all, I wanted to thank you for taking the time to come and see us, and then your patience in waiting for a response. I was a little longer getting back to you than I wanted, but I needed to see all the applicants before making a decision.” The principal’s tone was measured and gave nothing away. I needed her to put me out of my misery.
“Of course, I understand.” I found the ability to string a sentence together.
“I am pleased to tell you we’d like to offer you the position.”
I squealed down the line. “Omigosh, that’s fantastic, thank you so much!” All sense of professionalism went totally out of the window as I bounced around my living room.
Principal Collins laughed. “You sound pleased, so I’ll take that as a yes? Congratulations, Ainsley.”
“Yes, it’s definitely a yes!” I stopped twirling for a moment, practicality finally taking over. “When would you like me to start?”
“As soon as you can. I’ll get Lyla to sort out all the paperwork, and we can email you the packet to look at over the weekend. If you can get things back to us by Monday, we’ll get the ball rolling. Oh, and Ainsley?” Her tone softened. “Have a lovely weekend.”
When she ended the call, I almost wanted to jump around again.
I was going to Cali Cross.
Three
Seth
On the journey across the country to collect Noah, I almost turned back at least three times.
What the hell did I know about bringing up a thirteen-year-old boy?
