Chapter 29
Ben sat down at his computer, exhausted from carrying Mylie’s damn dog all the way to her house. Still, he laughed at the
image of Stanley chasing Fat Tony. By the time Ben had been ready to put Stanley down, the big lug hadn’t wanted to stop being
carried and, in fact, tried to jump up in Ben’s arms as he was leaving.
He was still thinking about that as he checked his email. Then his eyes caught on a message that had been sent on Friday from
the department head at the university where he’d been going through the rounds of interviews. His heart nearly stopped when
he read it.
Good afternoon, Dr. Lawrence. We’d like to formally invite you to join us on campus to discuss the terms of employment. At
this time, we do not have a date, but if you are amenable to a visit, please let us know, and the committee will provide me
with an acceptable time. Looking forward to hearing from you,
Dr. Thomas Baker, department head, Economics
Ben’s fingers hovered over his keyboard. He was excited, thrilled. It was the email he’d been hoping for. But there was also
another emotion just below the elation that he couldn’t quite name. He shoved it to the side and replied.
Dr. Baker, I would love to visit your campus and discuss employment. I apologize for the delay in my reply—I am currently at my grandfather’s country house and do not have the best service. I will make any date proposed work for my schedule.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ben Lawrence
It wasn’t quite a lie. He was at his grandfather’s country house, technically. And the town didn’t have the best reception. Ben didn’t need to mention that
he hadn’t checked his email because he’d been so wrapped up in other things, other people, that he’d completely forgotten
to check it. In fact, he’d nearly forgotten about the university altogether. Dr. Baker didn’t need to know any of that. He
didn’t need to know about Mylie or the raccoon or the hefty pit bull. He doubted very much that Dr. Baker or any of the hiring
committee he’d spoken with several times via videoconference would find the story amusing.
Ben closed his laptop and sat there for a while, just thinking about how excited he should be about very nearly being offered
the job of his dreams. He wished his mother were alive to hear it. She’d be so proud of him. What he felt right now was sadness,
grief, mixed with... what exactly? Regret? Apprehension? He didn’t know. It was hard for him to have feelings that weren’t
sorted. Under most circumstances, he could put his feelings into boxes and pack them away, but right now, he was having trouble.
Nothing felt settled, and there were few things Ben Lawrence hated more.