Chapter 57 Poppy
T he phone has been ringing for five seconds and my heart feels like it is doing somersaults in my chest. Am I really doing this? Am I actually considering it?
“Hi, this is the White Pine Inn, how can we help you?” The voice is one I don’t recognize. I know they sometimes had others working the front desk, but somehow I am surprised Sally isn’t there. Maybe they are expanding and she’s delegating more. That would be good for her.
“Hi, I’m returning a call to Sally. Is she available?”
“One moment.”
Elevator music rings through my phone as I try to wait as patiently as possible. In the span of fifteen seconds, I’ve talked myself into and out of the job at least twenty times. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm my racing pulse.
You’re just getting information. A call is not a commitment.
“This is Sally.” She sounds a little exasperated and I wonder if her nephew is causing issues again or maybe it’s another one of the million issues I know she has to deal with at the inn.
“Hi Sally, it’s Poppy. I got your message,” I say cheerily, hoping my call will brighten her mood.
“Oh, great! I’m so glad to hear from you. How are you?” The change in her demeanor is instantaneous and I’m so thankful. I don’t think she’d offer me a job if she didn’t like me, but it’s good to have the confirmation just the same.
“I’m good, I’m eager to hear more about the job and see if it could be a good fit.” My voice cracks slightly at the end and while my heart is calming now talking to her, I only see Owen’s face in my head and how off things were between us after I told him about her message yesterday.
He’s understandably upset that I’m considering the job when we really haven’t talked about our future or our individual plans yet. I definitely see him in mine, but also want to give myself the space to explore this opportunity if I want to. When I was with Steven, everything was about him and what he wanted. With Owen, everything has been different and I don’t want to fall back into old patterns unwittingly. This is giving me the chance to really think through my own ambitions and dreams for my own life.
“I left a few details on the message, but can definitely give you some more info.” She pauses and I hear papers shuffling in the background, then a slurp of a beverage before she continues. “Sorry, wanted to grab my notes. We’re looking for someone to be in charge of our marketing photos, so the main duties of the position is to take photos of our property, restaurant, venue, etc. We’d also like to have a photographer on hand during our busy wedding season for couples to hire in-house. If there are other things you’re interested in like social media, management, concierge services since you were on that side of things, or anything else, I’m happy to work with you on making sure it’s a good fit. Does that make sense?”
“Yeah it does. So the position is permanent in Toronto?” I know her answer, but feel like I need to ask it anyways.
“Yes, I’m sorry if that wasn’t clear. The position would be here and we’d like the photographer to be on site during those busy times or available to meet with anyone who is looking to book our venue.”
“How many hours per week?”
“During the busy times it would be full time, on the off season it would likely be less, but we’re open to pairing it with something else on site if that’s something you’re interested in. We’re really focused on finding the perfect person for the job, so we’re open to working with you if that’s something you want.”
I breathe in a shaky breath. The job sounds like so much fun and like something I would actually be good at. But could I leave my friends and family? My students and Honey Cove? I never have considered living elsewhere. “Can I have some time to think about it?”
“Of course. Let me grab your email and I’ll send over all the logistical info, salary, that sort of thing. We’d like to have someone hired prior to the summer, but I don’t mind waiting to post it if you need some time. I know it would be a big change for you.”
“Yeah, it would. I loved my time in Toronto and at your inn. It’s a lot to think over.” So much to think over. And talk over with Owen. I have no idea what he’s going to think about this. I’d be asking him to leave his family that he just moved to Honey Cove for. Or asking him to do long distance which I’m not even sure he’s open to.
“I’ll send you the details and just let me know if you have any other questions or things you’re wondering about. I really think you’re the woman for the job, so I’m willing to work with you if there are parts of the job you’d like to focus on or things you’d like to explore.”
“That means so much, thank you. I’ll let you know as soon as I decide.”
We talk for a few minutes more, but my mind is a blur trying to take in what she’s just told me. The flexibility in making the job something I’m interested in is a little shocking. Not only would I get to use my own artwork as my career, but I’d be given real agency in my own development and interests. Burying my face in my hands, I let out a long sigh.
How in the world am I going to make a decision?