Chapter 25 #2
Coach joins us after our jog for a pep talk as we take our positions around the track.
We cheer as twin one takes off at the sound of the gun.
Coach jogs across the inside track to encourage twin two before returning to me.
“Give it everything you have, Summer,” she says as twin two rounds the bend.
I nod and start my jog as she nears, then take off as fast as I can.
I manage to hold the lead before handing off the baton to Holly.
I jog across the inside track and see our group at the base of the stands cheering.
Olivia is on Zander’s shoulders with pom-poms waving in the air.
Holly easily wins the race; it’s not even close.
Coach congratulates us as we move back to the canopy.
There are only the 100m relays left, so we stay with our team.
The awards ceremony is being held on the track at the finish line, and winners are called out in order of the races.
Our group is by far the loudest group in the stands.
I notice Alex and Bay both have their phones out, snapping pics as Jaxon, Holly, and I get our medals.
Olivia is still on Zander’s shoulders, cheering.
Coach receives the trophy for our school winning overall this season, and our team hollers and cheers for her as she accepts.
The scouts all come down to the track after the ceremony, heading for their chosen athletes. Jaxon and I step back, since we know Holly will meet with a few of them. Surprising me, Nora comes over to congratulate Jaxon and me for our wins today before greeting the twins.
Holly has conversations with four scouts today. Clemson, USC, College of Charleston, and UNC. She’s all smiles as she joins us under the canopy. “Well? How did it go?”
“Great,” she says. “I’m expecting a conditional offer from USC, and Clemson said they’ll be offering a conditional scholarship when we go to the state meet in August.”
Jaxon smiles and pulls her in for a hug. “I’m so happy for you, Holly,” I say. “Let’s go so we can tell your mom.”
Seb stops us at the edge of the track to take a pic of the three of us before we climb the stairs. Holly excitedly tells her mom about her offers, and Zander and the guys all congratulate her before we walk out and split up in the parking lot. The guys decide to come to my house for a while.
When we get home, I excuse myself to shower as the guys gather on the back deck. I hang my medals on the corner of the bookshelf before gathering some clean clothes. I take a long shower before dressing and joining everyone outside. E and Bay are playing tag with Olivia in the yard.
“Sunshine,” Seb smiles, as I take a seat beside him. “We’re talking about summer jobs.”
“Have you decided what you’d like to do this summer?” Zander asks me.
“I thought about applying to the plantation gardens Mara worked at,” I tell him.
Zander smiles at me. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
“What about working with us at Finn?” Seb asks.
“I could do that too, but I’m concerned about taking the training program,” I say.
“You’d kick ass in the program, Sunshine, especially now that you are training with Nick.”
“It’s the touching,” Nick comments.
I nod at him. “Yeah. The physical training aspect would require me to touch others, and I’m not comfortable with that yet.”
“How would you feel about administrative work, darling? Troy and I were talking about hiring someone to help with scheduling and keeping track of all the jobs and employees.”
“That could work,” I nod.
“Yay,” Seb smiles.
“So, back to summer jobs. How many of you want full time work this summer or part time?” Zander asks.
Seb, E, and Nick want full time, while Alex and Bay want part time. Ceres is going to do the training program and start work with Finn Enterprises as well.
“Is anyone able to help me with a resume? I’ve never had a job before,” I ask.
“I would be happy to, Summer,” Alex offers.
“Great, thanks.”
“Sunshine, the plantation is having a job fair tomorrow,” Seb says, showing me his phone.
“Excellent timing. I’ll grab my laptop.” Alex follows me, taking a seat at the table, while I go to my room. I sit beside him, setting my laptop on the table with a pad of paper and a pen. “So how do I create a resume when I haven’t worked before?” I ask Alex.
“You can include any experience you have on your resume. For example, the Easter egg hunt in April. You can organize your resume into several categories, such as experience, academics, and volunteer work.”
I place three sheets from the notepad in front of me and label each with the categories Alex mentioned.
I write about the egg hunt under the volunteer section and the Thanksgiving dinners we served at the homeless shelter growing up.
“So, I would list the flower and veggie gardens I grew in Virginia under the experience category. Should I add the medicinal stuff I make?”
“Absolutely. You do not need to list all the products you make, just a few examples. I would also include that you are restoring Mara’s gardens here.”
I nod and add that info to my list. “What do I include under academics?”
“I would list the classes you are taking this year, your participation in track, and your awards today. You can include any clubs or trips you have taken as well. Consider writing your college aspirations, including any plans for studying botany.”
“Okay,” I say, adding that information. “Oh, I can add the wedding from Isle of Palms, too. What about interests or hobbies?”
“Many add that as a section at the bottom of their resume. That would be a smart idea.”
After everything I can think of is written, Alex helps me format my document. “What does one wear for an outdoor job?” I ask.
“That is something I cannot help you with. Perhaps ask Zander or Seb?”
“Okay,” I nod. “Thanks for the help, Alex. I’m going to print out a few copies,” I say, getting up to go to the office.
I take my copies back outside and show Zander, who seems pleased with the resume. Seb asks to read it, so all the guys look, and Seb volunteers to go with me to the plantation tomorrow afternoon.
Zander orders pizza for dinner, so I go to check on the garden, with Bay and E joining me. We end up sitting under the live oak at the back of the yard after we check the plants. “You must be excited to see Jake next weekend,” E says.
“Yeah,” I smile. “I am. I’ll have to get a lot of studying done this week before I leave.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to study next week,” Bay adds.
I look over at him in confusion. “How?”
“We only really have two days of classes,” Bay says. “Wednesday through Friday are study days. Our teachers will be available, but we don’t actually have to be there. We usually go to someone’s house on those days and have study sessions.”
“Well, that’s helpful,” I smile. “So, I assume you’re working at the shop this summer, Bay?”
“Yeah. Dad lets me work around the Finn jobs during the summer.”
“How much do you guys usually work?”
“It depends on what jobs get booked. Last summer we worked pretty steadily all summer. Some weeks it was daily, other weeks just a few days. When we have a few days off in a row, we go to the beach or Alex’s beach house,” E tells me.
“I’m not sure how often we’ll get there this summer. Alex mentioned being busier this year with society stuff,” Bay shrugs. “Reesa’s sister is coming out this season.”
“Wait, as in a debutante and actual seasons like in the movies?”
“Yeah. It's a real thing in the South,” E says.
“Huh, I had no idea it was real. Will that be a part of the social gatherings you have to attend, E?”
“Probably. Want to be my date?”
“Sure,” I shrug. “It might be cool to see something like that in person,” I smile. “So, are there any camping trips or travel coming up?”
“None for me,” Bay shakes his head.
“Me neither, but it might be fun to go camping. I’ve never been before,” E says.
“I used to go every summer. I think I’d like to go again,” I tell them.
“Then let’s plan a camping trip. Since you’ll be in charge of Finn’s schedule this summer, you can let us know when a good time would be,” Bay says.
“Alright, I can do that. We can all do research to find some good camping spots around here.”
“We’ll have to coordinate around Alex and Nick’s schedules too,” E points out. “Nick teaches in the Summer and has an MMA tournament in July.”
Zander yells that pizza is here, so we head back towards the deck. Everyone goes home after we eat, and I get my usual hugs from the guys.
After a phone call with Sue on Sunday morning, who is very excited about our visit, I dress in a comfortable but dressier pair of shorts, a sleeveless blouse and sneakers. Zander and Sue both suggested dressier clothes, but nothing fancy I couldn’t work in, and to wear sneakers.
Zander is coming with Seb and me to the plantation today. I’m nervous since I’ve never done anything like this before, but I think it’ll be good for me.
Seb arrives at noon and joins us for lunch before we drive to the job fair.
There are several booths set up at the entrance, with a table in front of them.
I take a deep breath and wipe my sweaty palms on my shorts, then walk over to the lady sitting there and say hello.
“Hello dear. Are you looking for work this summer?”
“Yes, ma’am, I am.”
“Wonderful. Is that your resume I see?” She asks, pointing to the papers in my hand.
“Oh yes, here you go,” I say, handing her a copy.
She reads over my short resume and then says, “Oh my,” looking up at me. “You’re Mara’s great-granddaughter?”
“Yes,” I nod.
“My name is Rose. I knew your great-grandmother and worked with her here for several years. Are you Zander’s daughter?”
I smile at her. “Yes, I am. Do you know him as well?”
“I do. Although I’m not sure he would remember me, since we only met a few times in the summer. If I remember correctly, he worked with Philip during the summers.”
“He did. You have an excellent memory.”
“It seems you inherited Mara’s green thumb. We can certainly find a position for you here. Do you have anything in mind?”
“I was hoping for something where I could work independently on tasks. Perhaps avoiding large crowds?”
“That's doable,” she nods. “Come, I’ll show you the various jobs we have available this season, and you can tell me what sounds interesting.”
“Great, thank you.” I follow her to two of the booths.
One is for the farm, and the other is for the horticulture gardens.
The remaining booths are for tours and administrative jobs, which I’m not interested in.
There are several positions available, including general farm labor in the fields, packing, preparing meals for the cafe, propagation and greenhouse work, and garden maintenance.
I request the horticulture gardens, which is where Rose works year-round.
She’s excited to have Mara’s great-granddaughter on her team.
We go over schedules and specific positions available, and I tell her I’d be happy with anything in the greenhouses or gardens.
She tells me she'll find me something where I don’t have to deal with the public or crowds.
Rose is going to email me in a few weeks with what she has decided after she’s had time to go over all the applicants.
I thank her for the opportunity before going over to Zander and Seb.
“I got the job,” I say excitedly. “The lady I was with, Rose, knew Mara, and you’ve met her a few times too when you were here as a kid. ”
“Excellent, sweetheart,” Zander says.
“Way to go, Sunshine,” Seb says, giving me a side hug. “That was fast, too.”
Even though it wasn’t what I would consider a real interview, I’m proud of myself.