Page 11 of His Flash Mate
“If you are hired, how soon could you start?”
“Immediately,” I said without a hint of desperation.
“We have a thirty-day probationary period before we grant full-time status.After that, you’d qualify for full-time benefits.The starting salary is fifty-thousand dollars.”
She looked at me expectantly.
“I understand.”
While I was doing my best to play it cool on the outside, I was over the moon inside and already running the numbers in my head.I’d be earning enough to make a serious dent in my student loans and help Mom by offering some rent.
The woman smiled and stood.
“Thank you for coming in today, Ms.Elmantas.We'll be in touch by the end of the day.”
I stood and followed her out the door, wondering if the call I received would be a “we’ve decided to move forward with another candidate.”
Mom still wasn’t home when I got back, so I made myself a pot roast sandwich for a late lunch and switched over the laundry she’d started.My phone rang while I was still wrestling a sock from the agitator.
“Hello?”
“Is this Sophia Elmantas?"
“It is."
“This is Gail, the human resource manager from Steele Corporation.Is this a good time to talk?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I'm calling about the position you interviewed for this morning.The position is yours if you want it, Ms.Elmantas.Can you start tomorrow?”
“I can.Thank you so much for this opportunity.”
"Thank you for interviewing, and welcome to Steele Corporation.I'll send you an email with your first-day details and the employee handbook.”
Hanging up, I stared at the sock, stunned.
I wasin.
I had a day job.
My whoop of joy echoed through the house.Quickly tossing the rest of the clothes into the dryer, I grabbed my keys and ran outside.
The trip to the store and back only took twenty minutes, but Mom was already home when I walked in with the cake box and a massive smile on my face.
“Something made you happy,” she said, watching me.“Really happy if you got a cake.”
I grabbed her hands, not trying to contain my excitement.
“Mom, I got in at Steele Corp.The executive assistant group for the VP.First application, and I got it.I went in strong just like you said.”
Joy lit her face, and she hugged me hard.“I’m so proud of you, Sophia.You’re so smart and capable, they’re lucky to have you.”
I’d known she would be happy for me, and when she pulled back, I didn’t see a hint of hurt from her wounds, only the pride she’d claimed.
“The starting pay isnice.I know you said no rent until I paid off my loans, but?—”
“No.That’s not how we work here.Loans first.I’m here to help you, not the other way around.At least, not yet.Maybe when I’m retired and have no income of my own.”
