Chapter 43 Next Steps
CHAPTER 43: NEXT STEPS
JACE
I thought about texting Lacey last night, but I wasn’t sure what I should say. I left so abruptly and I hate myself a little for it. At twenty-eight, I should be able to control myself a little better, but it’s been a long fucking time and that kiss was everything.
There is still so much up in the air with work and my plans. Maybe I shouldn’t have kissed her, but then I think back to the way she looked standing there. Her green eyes, that put the depths of the Amazon rainforest to shame, begged me to kiss her, and I don’t regret it one bit.
My phone rings and I swipe up on the unknown number.
“Hello,” I say.
“Hello, I’m calling to speak with Mr. Jacks Jackson,” an unfamiliar voice comes through the phone.
“This is he.”
“Hello, Mr. Jackson. My name is Roger Lucas. I hope you’re having a great Monday. Do you have a moment to talk?”
“Yes, sir. How can I help you?”
“Great. I’m the president of the Center for North American Wildlife Conservation and I was looking over your portfolio.” He pauses and chuckles. “First of all, let me apologize for the delay in contacting you. We’ve had some recent internal changes and I was working on getting those resolved before I dove into hiring for this position.”
“That’s no problem. I’m glad you called.” Nervousness pulses through my veins and I try to calm myself.
“I must say when I saw it come across my desk I was a little surprised. I’ve been following your discovery of the Bixito Parrot quite closely. Finding it in the wild was an impressive feat.”
“Thank you. It was a lifelong dream of mine.”
“So, I hear. Well, I won’t keep you too long, but I would like to have you down to the center this week for an official interview. It would give me an opportunity to show you around and get to know you a little better.”
“That would be fantastic.”
“Great. How does Friday at three sound?”
“Perfect. I can be there.” I breathe a sigh of relief that I’ll be back in time for the interview.
“Wonderful. I’ll have my assistant send over the information and I’ll see you then.”
“I look forward to it, Mr. Lucas.”
He hangs up the phone and I exhale. This is what I want. I want to be able to do what I love and not have to worry about being too far away. I want a future with Lacey and a job like this would give me that.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Jacks: I got the interview at the CFNAWC.
Tanner: Where
Enzo: The Center for North American Wildlife Conservation.
Tanner: Ohhhhh got it
Logan: Oh. BTW, I asked Poppy. Lacey likes purple dahlias.
Jacks: Thanks.
Tanner: So what does this mean
Jacks: It means I have an interview. He seemed impressed with my resume.
Enzo: How could he not be? You discovered a whole fucking bird that hadn’t been seen in fifty years. You’re as good as hired.
Jacks: Maybe.
Tanner: So what’s next for you and your girl
Jacks: First flowers, then maybe a date when I get back.
Donovan: Definitely a date.
I quickly look up a local florist and call in an order of Lacey’s favorite flowers to be delivered to where she works. Then, I get to work prepping for my interview. Friday needs to go perfect and I know there will be no internet at Joe’s. He doesn’t believe in it. Or trust it. Or maybe it’s both.
I scan the CFNAWC website and it is as incredible as I thought. Most of their work focuses on conservation efforts for North American species. Currently they have active projects centered around the ivory-billed woodpecker, red wolves, the Vancouver Island marmots, plus a dozen more. The amount of money they raise each year is astounding. I do a quick google search on Roger Lucas. I was familiar with the name, but didn’t understand how impressive his resume actually was. I feel energized and excited. This job is exactly what I want and working for him would be an honor.
My phone vibrates interrupting my research. I close my laptop and swipe up on the screen.
Dad: When are you leaving for Joe’s?
Jace: Hopefully by 3, maybe earlier. I’d like to get there before it gets too dark.
Dad: Thank you again for helping him. It means a lot to me.
Jace: Don’t mention it.
Dad: I was thinking about going to visit Mom in about an hour. Would love for you to come with me. We don’t have to stay long.
I consider what to text him and can’t find the words. Grief consumes me and I try to shake it away, but the longer I sit here staring at his text message, the bigger it feels. I lay back on my bed. I should go. I should tell him I’ll meet him there, but I can’t.
Jace: Sorry, I don’t think I’ll have time. Rain check?
Dad: Drive safe and let me know when you get there.
All the grief I was feeling turns to guilt, causing my stomach to flip. I don’t know why I can’t say yes. Why I can’t make myself go with him? I flip over and re-open my laptop.