CHAPTER 12: THE JOB INTERVIEW
1012 Words
Tuesday. 8:00 AM. Downtown Tech Plaza.
Ethan sat in the waiting room in his only suit.
The one he bought 3 years ago when he was CEO.
It was too big now. He’d lost 15 pounds from stress, therapy, and
eating one meal a day.
His name was on the list: `Ethan Blackwood - Junior Analyst Position`
Junior. After being CEO.
The receptionist called: "Mr. Blackwood? Room 4."
Ethan stood. His hands were shaking.
---
Room 4. Three people. A table. A laptop.
"Morning," said the woman in the middle. "I’m Priya. HR.
This is Marcus, Team Lead. And Dana, Finance."
Ethan shook hands. "Morning."
Priya looked at his resume. "So. Ethan Blackwood. Founder of
Blackwood Corp. CEO for 8 years. And now you’re applying for
Junior Analyst?"
Ethan took a breath. "Yes ma’am."
"Why?" Marcus asked. "No offense, but this is a 60k job.
You used to make 60k a day."
Ethan looked down. "I made mistakes. I hurt people. I lost my company.
I’m not here for money. I’m here to work. To start over.
To be someone my son can be proud of."
Dana leaned forward. "You have a son?"
"Yes," Ethan said. "9 months. Leo."
Priya wrote something down. "And what happened with Blackwood Corp?"
Ethan didn’t lie. "I cheated. I was unethical. I took responsibility,
paid settlements, and stepped down. It’s all public."
The room was quiet.
Marcus finally said: "That’s the most honest answer we’ve had all week."
---
10:00 AM. Blackwood Tower.
Sophia was in back-to-back meetings.
Her assistant buzzed. "Ms. Miller, LinkedIn update.
Ethan Blackwood updated his profile."
Sophia opened it.
`Ethan Blackwood
Junior Analyst at Meridian Tech
Open to work | Father first`
She stared at it.
Arthur came in. "You saw?"
"Yes," Sophia said. "Junior Analyst."
"He’s really doing it," Arthur said. "Starting from zero."
Sophia closed the laptop. "Good."
---
1:00 PM. Ethan’s Apartment.
Ethan got the call.
"Mr. Blackwood? This is Priya from Meridian.
We’d like to offer you the Junior Analyst position."
Ethan sat down hard. "Really?"
"Yes," Priya said. "Starts Monday. 9 to 5. Benefits.
And we know about... your situation. We’re okay with Thursday
afternoons off for family."
Ethan’s voice cracked. "Thank you."
He hung up and called the only person he wanted to tell.
Voicemail. "Sophia, it’s me. I got the job. Junior Analyst.
I start Monday. I just... wanted you to know. For Leo."
He hung up.
---
3:00 PM. Blackwood Family Center.
Thursday. Week 4.
Sophia walked in with Leo. Ethan was already there.
Wearing a button-down shirt. Cleaner. He looked... hopeful.
"Hi," Ethan said.
"Hi," Sophia said.
Ms. Carter smiled. "How was everyone’s week?"
Ethan looked at Sophia. "I got a job."
Sophia paused. "Oh?"
"Junior Analyst," Ethan said. "Starts Monday.
They’re letting me do Thursdays for Leo."
Sophia nodded once. "That’s good."
"It is," Ethan said. "I’m proud of it."
For the next 2 hours, Ethan was different. Lighter.
He told Leo about his new office. "It’s small, but it has a window, buddy."
Leo babbled back.
At the end, Ethan said: "Can I ask you something?"
Sophia tensed. "What?"
"Can I send you a picture of my new ID badge?
When I get it. So you know I’m really working."
Sophia looked at him. Tired eyes. Honest.
"Fine," she said. "Send it."
Ethan’s whole face lit up. "Thank you."
---
6:00 PM. Sophia’s Office.
The email came in.
Subject: `First Day`
Attachment: Photo of Ethan holding an ID badge.
`Ethan Blackwood - Meridian Tech - Junior Analyst`
No text. Just the picture.
Sophia stared at it for a long time.
Arthur knocked. "You okay?"
"He got the job," Sophia said.
Arthur smiled. "Told you."
Sophia sighed. "I don’t know what to feel."
"Feel nothing," Arthur said. "Just watch. Actions over words."
---
Friday. 7:00 AM. Ethan’s First Day.
He was 30 minutes early.
His desk was small. One monitor. A plant someone left behind.
A name plate: `Ethan Blackwood`
He took a picture. Sent it to Sophia.
Ethan: `Day 1.`
Sophia didn’t reply.
At lunch, he ate at his desk. Saved money.
At 5:00 PM, he left on time. To go buy diapers for Leo.
---
Saturday. Sophia took Leo to the grocery store.
She saw a man who looked like Ethan from behind.
Her heart jumped. Then she realized it wasn’t him.
She got home and checked her phone.
Ethan: `Bought diapers. Size 3. And wipes.
Can I bring them Thursday?`
Sophia typed: `Yes.`
Deleted.
Typed: `Okay.`
Send.
---
Sunday. 9:00 PM.
Sophia was working late when Arthur called.
"Board meeting tomorrow," Arthur said. "We’re voting on
the new VP of Product."
"Okay," Sophia said.
"And Sophia," Arthur said. "I’m proud of you.
For letting him try."
Sophia was quiet. "I’m not letting him. I’m letting Leo
have a father. There’s a difference."
"Is there?" Arthur asked.
Sophia hung up.
---
Monday. 2:00 PM. Week 5.
Blackwood Family Center.
Ethan walked in wearing a Meridian Tech lanyard.
"Hi," he said to Sophia. "Hi buddy."
Leo crawled straight to him.
Ethan picked him up. "How’s my boy?"
He looked at Sophia. "Work is good. Boring, but good.
I like boring now."
Sophia almost smiled. "Boring is good."
Ms. Carter watched them. Made a note:
`Positive interaction. Both parents engaged. Father employed.`
At the end, Ethan handed Sophia a bag.
"Diapers," he said. "And wipes. And a toy.
For when he’s here."
Sophia took it. "Thank you."
Ethan nodded. "See you next Thursday."
As he walked out, Sophia saw it.
He was walking taller.
---
10:00 PM. Sophia’s Apartment.
Leo was asleep. Sophia was on the couch.
She opened the photo of Ethan’s ID badge again.
She opened her notebook.
Step 11: New beginnings.
Step 11.1: He got a job.
Step 11.2: He’s showing up.
Step 11.3: Don’t get hopeful. But don’t be cruel.
She underlined 11.3.
Her phone buzzed.
Ethan: `Goodnight. To you and Leo.`
Sophia didn’t reply.
But she didn’t block him either.
Outside, the city was quiet.
A man was rebuilding his life.
One boring day at a time.
- Writer
