The Swiss Escape

Next Step

The next morning we go and get passport photos of all three of us, then go to the post office to apply for the passports. I made sure to have all the paperwork, so there shouldn’t be any delays. Now, all we have to do is wait.

After the passport, we go to the zoo. Kayla loves the animals at the zoo, especially giraffes. Johnny buys some of the giraffe food so Kayla could feed one. She is so delighted.

We spend the entire day at the zoo, which means Kayla didn’t get a nap. When we get home, it’s after her bedtime, and she’s crying. I put her to bed, but Kayla is too tired to fall asleep. Finally, two hours later, she falls asleep.

“I am going. I’ll be home tomorrow around dinner,” Johnny told me. He kissed me like he was going to work.

“Have a goodnight,” I told him. Relieved, he is leaving so I could start applying for jobs.

When I hear his car pull out of the driveway, I run back to the bedroom and pull out the laptop. For the next four hours, I apply to jobs and send out my CV and resume. One place that caught my attention is in Zurich, Switzerland. The position is for an English speaking early childhood schoolteacher. It’s a nursery school where they want to use immersion methods to help students learn English. I apply there and six other places before I could no longer keep my eyes open.

Closing the laptop and re-hiding it, I curl up in bed alone but happy.

The next morning, I take Kayla to the park, she makes friends with two other kids quickly, and they played. By mid-morning, I take Kayla to the gym and put her in childcare. I’m lucky Kayla is confident in our relationship. She knows I will always come back, dropping her off; she doesn’t cry. A small part of me wishes she would; the other moms say how special it makes them feel.

After my workout, I grab Kayla, and we go home. To my surprise, Johnny is back. “Where have you been? Kayla should be down for her nap by now!”

“It’s okay. It’s just now noon. Let me feed Kayla, and I will get her down.”

“Where were you? You should’ve told me where you were going!”

I made Kayla a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and gave her a banana. “Johnny, I have never told you when I go somewhere. Look, we went to the park, then I went to the gym. You wanted me to lose weight, remember? Why are you freaking out? Is everything okay?”

He lets out a sigh. “Yeah, it’s just everything. I was worried you left. I know I have not been the greatest husband lately, and I'm sorry. It’s just,” Johnny walks closer to me, “you mean a lot to me. I don’t want to lose you. When I got here, and both of you were gone, I freaked.”

“I did our normal Saturday routine with the added gym. Everything is fine. If I am not enough for you, I am not enough. It’s just where we are, and we do what we have to.” I don’t want to lie, but I am not about to tell him that I am leaving.

“You’re an amazing wife.” Johnny leans in and kisses me. “Still not the best kisser.”

I let out a sigh. “Would you like something for lunch?”

“Yes, please, I am starving. Bernice can't cook, and you know how I hate most breakfast places.”

When I hear her name, I want to snap. Johnny didn’t care about me because he loved me; he cared because I took care of him. We had a messed up, 1950’s housewife relationship. I wanted to be an equal partner, not a stepping stone for them to walk.

For the remainder of the weekend, Johnny stayed with Kayla and me. Finally, it was Monday, and Johnny went back to work. He spent more time with us this weekend than usual. I guess Bernice and him are having problems.

First thing Monday morning, Kayla and I go to the post office to apply for my passport. I paid the extra to get it expedited, as I did with Kayla’s. I hope to have our passports in four weeks.

I then did my regular daily routine. That night Johnny didn’t come home. I stayed up late, filling out more job applications, and even started narrowing down possible places to live. When I got a notification that I have an email, I got excited. I opened the email and found it was from the early childhood school in Zurich. It was a general email saying I made it to the next round of reviews, and I would hear something in ten business days.

Feeling excited, I started to look at apartments in Zurich. There were a few places that looked promising. I felt excited to get out of my current situation even though we would be leaving everything behind.

Ten days quickly passed, and I got a message from Zurich saying they want to do a Skype interview. The headmaster’s name is Alexander Senn. His email read:

Hello Ms. Kamryn Miller,

My name is Alexander Senn; I am the headmaster at Zurich nursery school. We have reviewed your application and would like to invite you to interview with us. There is a 4 pm time slot available, which I believe is 8 am your time, next Monday. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested.

Sincerely,

Alexander Senn, Ph.D.

I quickly reply, saying that I will be available during that time. Feeling over the moon, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

The next few days seem to pass by quickly, and soon it’s the day of my interview. The second Johnny left for work, I fix my hair and put on makeup. Then I threw on a dress that looks reasonably professional.

Then I get the paint out for Kayla and playdough. The goal is to keep her happy with the painting, then when she loses interest, give her the playdough. If all else fails, I have the TV remote close by for cartoons.

I sat up the laptop and waited for the call. I didn’t have to wait for long; I answered the call and found a young man on the other end. I am assuming this is Alexander; he is surprisingly young, I would guess early thirties. He takes my breath away with his defiant jaw, his piercing green eyes, and golden hair. Alexander’s face is clean-shaven, his hair is neat, and there didn’t seem to be any imperfections to him.

“Hello Ms. Miller, I am headmaster Alexander of the early childhood learning school here in Zurich. How are you doing today?”

“Hello Sir, I am fine. How are you?” I hated that I sounded nervous. I was expecting an older man, not someone who could work in Hollywood.

“I’m well. Let’s get to this, shall we?” He opens a file, “You have a master’s degree in Educational Psychology, not early childhood. It does look as though you have the experience, though. What do you feel your employment will contribute?”

“I have special insight into the psychology of early childhood development. With my experience as an early childhood curriculum developer, I will help kids learn English without a struggle.” Honestly, I have no idea what I could contribute. I just want out of my current situation, and this seems like a good fit.

“I see.” Alexander doesn’t seem impressed with me. “Why do you wish to work abroad, Ms. Miller?”

“It would be a great opportunity for my daughter and me to experience a different way of life.”

“You have a daughter?” Alexander doesn’t change his demeanor.

“Yes, she’s two. I was going to ask if you select me for this job, would she be able to attend the school? She doesn’t need to be in my class, but I think the immersion method is one of the best ways to learn.”

“Of course. Having a child will also change your housing allowance. It will now be 900, so you can find a place for that price. If you are under your budget, you can spend the money on furniture or other things to improve your living conditions. If you go over budget, you must pay what’s left. We will also provide you with German classes after the first ninety days of employment. Also, know this contract is only good for two years.” Alexander seemed to soften a little. He told me about the responsibilities and asked me a few other questions. His face still gave nothing away. “Do you have any questions to ask me?”

“No, Sir, I just had the one about my daughter attending school. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity.” I must be desperate; I am now sucking up to some guy I don’t know for a job in another country.

“Yes, you will hear back from us in the next few days when I make the final decision.”

“I look forward to hearing from you soon, Headmaster Alexander.” He gives me a small smile and says goodbye.

I sat back in my chair, feeling defeated. The interview did not go as planned. Why did my nerves get the best of me? Was it because Alexander is attractive? I sat feeling disappointed in myself while Kayla continued to play.

Shaking off my disappointment, I apply for a couple more jobs later that night before going to bed.