Entangled Summer Read Free Page A

Why?”
    “My grandfather got sick. I had to stay home to look after him.”
    “And now?”
    “Well, now...” I shifted uncomfortably. “He’s in hospital full time, so...” Were these questions allowed? What did my personal life have to do with getting a summer school job?
    There was a long silent pause. For a second I started to wonder if she’d fallen asleep. And since I could only see the back of her, it was a very real possibility.
    Finally she turned abruptly and marched to her desk. She slid into her chair and flipped open the manila file folded in front of her.
    “Well, let’s go over your documentation. I see here you have a few recommendations, from,” she glanced up, “your friend Kenzie? And your art teacher. Hmm. How quaint.”
    I nibbled my thumbnail, expecting the worst. It was like being sent to the principal’s office for something you didn’t do, hoping you don’t get caught for the thing you did do that they don’t know about yet.
    “No real experience teaching.” She flipped through a few more pages. “Or working with children.”
    When her eyes peered up at me over her bifocals, I cleared my throat. “I uhm, well, I used to babysit.” I said. Then I mentally smacked myself in the forehead. What happened to all of the coaching Kenzie had given me. It’s like all the right answers had jumped overboard, leaving me with nothing but one stupid reply after another. I pressed my clammy palms onto my thighs. “I think you’ll find everything else is intact. My diploma, schooling, college acceptance, criminal reference check, uhm... oh yeah, first aid.” I added.
    She pursed her lips, and flipped the fold shut. Pushing back her chair she rose then paced a few steps, hands locked behind her back. “The thing is Miss Dultry, the students who come to our summer school are... special. You might say they are gifted.”
    “Yes, I know.”
    She paused to gaze through the window. “I don’t think that you do,” she said, then turned to look at me. "But you will."
    I forced a smile because well, I didn't know what to say to that really. Just as I was wondering what her next question would be, she crossed the room to shake my hand.
    “Thank you for coming in Miss Dultry.” She gestured toward the door.
    Interview over, I guess? I walked toward the door, then paused to look back. “Thank you for your time.” I said, then quickly made my escape.
    Okay, wow. Strangest. Interview. Ever.

Chapter Four

     
     
    I stepped out of the room into the hall. Still sweating. And confused. What was that? I hadn’t been to many interviews before, but honestly. What. The. Hell.
    She basically told me I had no experience and no business being anywhere near their precious students. Yet she hadn’t bothered to have me escorted out the front door like so many others who’d exited her office with their tails between their legs. I stood rooted in place starring at the backside of her closed office door.
    “Nora, over here.” Kenzie’s voice half-whispered half-shouted.
    I looked around to make sure no one was watching before I darted down the hall in her direction. The direction that less than a quarter of the people who’d been interviewed today had gone. The direction I was fairly certain I was not supposed to go.
    Kenzie grabbed my arm and dragged me to the side of the hall, near a bay window.
    “Well, did you see him?” She was still doing the half whisper/ half shout thing.
    “Him? Him who?”
    “Holy hell. Just wait till you meet him. He looks exactly like Theo James.” She gasped a breath of air. “Maybe it was Theo James!”
    Distracted by my really odd interview, it took me a moment to finally register the epic level of excitement on her face.
    “Who?”
    “You know, the crazy-sexy guy from that movie,” she said.
    “Crazy and sexy?” I frowned. “Which movie was that- nah, never mind.” I massaged my temples. “I'm not getting sucked into your fantasy world this time, Miss