Page 37 of Sharkbait
Corbin spots us waiting, politely wraps up his conversation and turns to me with open arms.
“The elusive Miss Anderson!” he beams.
His arms are still wide open.
Are we hugging?
Well, all signs point toward imminent hugging, so I dive in.
He wraps his arms around me in a warm, fatherly squeeze.
Dreams are coming true.
“Hi, sir! I mean hello! Good evening. It’s so nice to meet you in person after all this—thank you for all the inspiration you’ve given me over the—Wait. Elusive? Am I elusive?”
“Well, for good reason. With one internship after the next, you were a constant blur on the map last year during the interview process. You know, you’re the only student I’ve ever awarded a scholarship to without meeting them in person first.”
My face heats. “Wow. Thank you for that. I guess I was pretty busy this past year. I’m sorry I could only ever do video calls.”
“Not a problem. Your brilliant essay and exemplary record and recommendations spoke for themselves. Oh, allow me to introduce you to my wife, Jean.”
Jean. So close.
“Hello, Jean.” I reach my hand out to her. She can’t be much older than I am. She just nods and sips on her champagne.
I lower my hand.
“I hope you’re applying for my Keys to the Coral Kingdom internship this spring?”
“Oh, hell yes! I’m on your website every damn day. And I’ve been obsessing over my statement of purpose for months and—”
Ralph hands me another glass of water.
Where the hell did that come from?
I take a gulp and hand the glass back to him, then say much more professionally, “Yes, sir. I’m pressing send on my application tomorrow.”
Corbin reaches out and gives my hand a hearty shake.
“Fantastic. I look forward to reviewing it. I have a very good feeling about you, Miss Anderson. I can’t wait to see all the wonderful work you’re going to do.”
Chapter Nine
James
"Daddy!” my favorite voice in the world peals through my phone.
“I gotta take this,” I say to Mabel and my buddy Wally. As Tuesday night regulars here at the new location, they are currently making googly eyes at each other, so they don’t seem to mind.
I put the glass I was wiping down on the bar to give the video call my full attention. I’ve been waiting for this all day.
“Baby girl! How was the first day of school?”
“Good, I guess?” Her little brow scrunches up.
“You guess? Oh man, I was hoping for a bit more enthusiasm than ‘I guess.’”
“It was sorta fun, but just super different, ya know? I’ve concluded that first grade is bonkers.”
