Jessica Patterson stared up at the huge building in front of her. She knew that she was staring at her future and it was scary. Jess had graduated college a few months earlier with a degree in Athletic Training. The building that stood in front of her was the home of the Philadelphia Flyers--her dream job. All through college she could picture herself behind those walls training that team and now here she was. Her best friend, Jade, had called her crazy, but she had no objection when Jess asked her to move to Philadelphia with her. But, just moving here didn't guarantee a job, she had done a lot of groveling just to get an interview. Shaking her thoughts of failing out of herhead, she climbed the steps--the steps to her future.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Well Ms. Patterson, you are extremely qualified, thank you for your time and we'll keep in touch," the interviewer, Mr. Smith, told her.We'll keep in touch? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Jess thought as Mr. Smith shook her hand. "Excuse me Mr. Smith, I don't meanto be rude, but what is 'we'll keep in touch,' supposed to mean?" Jess asked, feeling the anger rise in her throat. "Ms. Patterson, no offense but you just came from college, we were hoping for someone with a little more hands-on experience," Mr. Smith stated matter-of-factly. "No disrespect, sir, but I graduated top of my class, trained with my college hockey and football teams, and to top it all off--there is no one who loves the Flyers more than I do," Jess continued, "So if you'll excuse my outburst, kindly tell me why I can't have the job?"
Expecting Mr. Smith to tell her never to come back on these premises again, Jess began to pack up her stuff. "Where do you think you're going?" Mr.Smith asked. "Excuse me?" Jess asked, surprised. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked again. "I was just leaving on my own free will, before you have me thrown out," Jess replied. "I think you are just what we are looking for, when can you start?" he asked her."WHAT!! You want me to stay?" Jess asked, dropping all of her belongings at her feet. "Your attitude is one of the best ones I have seen in along time, the boys need that to keep them in line," Mr. Smith finished,a gleam in his eyes.
"The boys? As in Eric Lindros and John LeClair--those boys?" "Who else do you think I meant, the Backstreet Boys?" Jess managed to get out a slight chuckle at the mention of her favorite group. "Now are you going to answer my question as to when you can start?" Mr. Smith asked the excited Jess. "Today--no wait I have to tell my friend--is tomorrow ok?" "Tomorrow's great, see ya then,"Mr. Smith told her while escorting her out of the building. "Tomorrow around 8?" Jess asked. "That's great, oh and Jessica?" "It's Jess, sir; yes?" "Welcome to the Flyers' Family," he told her, watching her bounce down the steps. Wait till I tell Jade, she's going to FLIP!!! Jess thought as she jumped onto the awaiting bus, I wonder how her day went?
Back to All That Heaven Allows