Page 12 of Somewhere in Seattle

"Yes," I said, taking a sip of my soda. Drinking the graveyard made me feel like I was a kid again, which was comforting in a moment where I was out of my element and trying to think on my feet.

"Are you just deciding today that you're moving here?" he asked.

"Yes."

"That's kind of cool, I think."

I grinned. "I hope it's cool," I said. "I feel a little cool right now." I made a face and Isaac laughed. He was entirely too handsome.

"That's what my grandmother saw in you, right there."

"What do you mean?"

"That smile. You, just being you, being real. People come here for the experience. If you can show up and just be into it and try your best to make people happy, then you'll fit in. What's your last name?"

"Matthews."

"Oh, yeah, that's right. Cal. He asked about you today when he came back."

"Did he really?"

Isaac nodded. "Did you graduate from high school?" he asked.

"Yes."

"How were your grades?"

"Is this part of the interview?"

"Yes."

"Don't you need a piece of paper or something?"

"No. Why, do you need a piece of paper?"

"No. I just thought… aren't you going to write stuff down?" I trailed off and shrugged. "I had good grades. I just didn’t go to college."

"Any college was my next question."

"Nope."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-three."

"Any criminal record?"

"No. Do you?"

"Do I have a record? No. How about your previous work experience?"

"I've been full-time at the bank as a teller for three years. I worked at a daycare and babysat a bunch during high school, and then I went to the bank. I also work cleaning and things like that. I only do a couple of houses now that I have both of my other jobs."

"The bank teller and the restaurant?"

"Yes. El Poncho. Like I said, it's just hostessing. I mostly take to-go orders and package them, I already mentioned that. But seriously, that tray was a feat for me. I can't see myself being able to do that a hundred times on day one."

"I can't see myself asking you to do it a hundred times on day one," he said. "Take one home with you and practice. We're busy and it's a big restaurant, so you'll have to build certain muscles, but that's no big deal. That takes time. We can train you and start you at part-time for the first week or two if you want."

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