Page 12 of Hiding Rose
She sighed. “It’s crazy, but I love it. Before I met Mally, I never even thought about kids and now I have two under two. Nathanial and Cecelia are so close they never want to be apart, which helps. Anyway, I’m calling about work.”
I sat up and grabbed my pad off the bedside table. “Okay, what’s up?”
“Gideon called to tell me you know about the director’s position. Congratulations!” she exclaimed, and I could sense her excitement over the phone. “I can’t wait to work closely with you to get this off the ground.”
I smiled to myself. “Thanks, Ellie. I’ve been thinking about the need to hire a director, but I didn’t think it would be me. I didn’t believe him at first when he asked me.”
“Why not? You’re smart, business savvy, good with the kids, and have respect for parents. It will be a seamless transition and you’ll do great,” she said encouragingly. “Gideon doesn’t put his trust in people he doesn’t know well to hold these kinds of positions. If he offered you the job then he thinks you’re the best one for it. Besides, you already have an understanding of the program and know the employees. It makes sense to put you in the job.”
“You’re right. I guess he took me by surprise, and I still haven’t totally worked through it. Do you want to set up a meeting to talk about hiring?” I asked.
“Hiring is why I’m calling. I’ve had the ad running for a whole twenty-four hours and already have four applicants. They look promising, but I want you to look over their resumes before we offer interviews.”
“Seriously? Four in one day?” I asked, shocked by the news. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s fantastic to get so many this early.”
“Kupid Enterprises has a reputation for the way we treat our employees. Everyone wants to get a foot in the door here. Personally, I think we should interview as soon as possible. If we can get someone started to take over your spot in the center then you’re free to start your director duties and get the new center up and running.”
And take some pressure off my leg, I thought, but I didn’t say it. “I agree one hundred percent. If we can find two full-time teachers and an assistant, then Winifred and I could both leave.”
“Wait,” she said confused, “Winnie is leaving, too?”
“Kate told me today she wants to stay home with the kids. She feels too tied down at the daycare, and I don’t blame her. If we can hire one full-time teacher immediately, I’ll let Winnie go first.”
“Well, that puts a different spin on things. The good news is, several of these applicants seem top notch. I’ll send you their applications via the company email and you can look them over. Get back to me asap in the morning and I’ll set up interviews. Are you free tomorrow evening to do them?”
I didn’t even need to check my calendar to answer. “You bet, the sooner the better. Also, if you get more applications, keep them. We’ll need to hire many more teachers, both full and part-time, once we get the new center up and running.”
I heard her pen tapping on the table. “Okay, I’ll let the ad run one more day, in case some of these current applicants don’t work out, but then I’ll take it down until we’re ready to hire for the new center. It could be a few months and I don’t want to get the reputation for advertising jobs and not having them materialize.”
“Right. Do your thing and I’ll do mine. Send me the resumes and I’ll check them over right now. If I could spend next week training and then be clear of the daycare, the new center can be a go once the rooms are ready.”
“Agreed, I just sent them to your email. I’ll be heading to bed, but email me back with your top picks and I’ll set up interviews in the morning.”
“Sounds great, Ellie. Thanks so much for being on top of this,” I said, grateful she was willing to work practically all day every day.
“No problem, Rosie. Anything we do to improve Kupid’s Arrow is always worth the time and lost sleep. Besides, I’m looking forward to working closely with you and getting to know you better. Listen, if you ever need to talk about your leg with someone who understands, I’m always here. I understand the frustrations of pain and weakness, as well as the fear of others finding out and judging you for it. If it ever gets to be too much, please, knock on my door or call me. I’m always here for you.”
I smiled and laid my head back on the pillow. “Thanks, Ellie. I guess you’ve been talking to Kate.”
She paused before she spoke. “No, I haven’t. Kate wouldn’t talk behind your back about your health. I have a bad leg, which gives me insight into the ways people try to hide agony, and frustration. I never had anyone to talk to about it before I met Mally, and I don’t want you to feel the way I used to feel. What you’ve been through has been a terrible, life altering event; you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. I might not have the answer, but I’ll always listen and offer what advice I can.”
I sucked up a breath so I didn’t start crying. “I’ve thought about coming to you, but I didn’t know if you were open to talking about it. Somedays it feels too hard to take one more step and I want to collapse and be done with it.”
“It sounds like you’re pushing yourself too hard, Rosie. I’ve seen you the past week; you’re using two crutches again and practically dragging your leg around behind you. I’m not the only one concerned about the way the leg is behaving.”
I sighed. “No, you aren’t. I promised Kate and Gideon tonight I would call the university in the morning. I’m scared, but I have to face the music and have it checked again.”
“What are you scared of?” she asked tenderly.
I shrugged as I held the phone and bit my lip. “I’m scared the doctors will tell me there is nothing else they can do. It’s basically what they told me at Mayo before I moved here. Mayo, Ellie,” I said, my voice cracking. “I don’t want to live in constant pain, but there’s a real possibility I might. There’s also a real possibility I’m going to need a wheelchair and then I’m screwed,” I said, tears falling. “I can’t live here in a wheelchair, there isn’t enough space in the apartments. Not to mention, I can’t play with the babies, walk on the beach, or ever hope to have babies of my own.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” she whispered. “I had no idea it was this bad. Let me get dressed and I’ll come over.”
I wiped a tear from my face and sucked up air. “No, you need your rest. I’ll be okay. It is what it is, and I’ll have to deal with it. I shouldn’t borrow trouble before I see the doctor, but it’s hard. You understand.”
She sighed. “I sure do. Sometimes you feel like you’ll never reach the next step in your life, but I’m proof you will. I know you have a lot of trauma to deal with, but a big part of overcoming it is a positive attitude. You’re great at keeping a positive attitude, even when you’re hurting. Please, let me know when your appointment is in Honolulu and I’ll come with. You don’t have to do this alone and I have plenty of experience with leg issues. Would you like me to come with you?”
I nodded, biting my lip. “I would, yes. I’ll take as much support as I can fit in Gideon’s chopper.”
