The Swiss Escape

Forward Motion

In the last three weeks, I had three job interviews. None of them have given me a callback. I am starting to feel discouraged. Kayla and I got our passports today, but it doesn’t look as though we can leave anytime soon.

I am sitting at the dance studio watching Kayla when my phone begins to ring. Jenifer got me a track phone so that Johnny won’t be suspicious of the international calls. “Hello,” I answered, feeling nervous. The number was foreign, so I hope it’s about a job.

“Hello, is this Ms. Miller?” A female voice answered.

“Yes, may I ask who’s calling?”

“This is Claudia at the early childhood school in Zurich. I wanted to inform you that we chose you for the position of English Classroom Instructor.”

I can’t believe what I just heard. “That’s wonderful. When do you need me there?”

“We are would like you to start in the school year. But your housing allowance will start as soon as you move. Would you like me to go over everything with you?”

Trying not to sound as excited as I felt and risk the other mother’s listening to my conversation. “Yes, that would be lovely.”

Claudia proceeds. “We would like to offer you an annual salary of CHF 58,000; this does not include housing or transportation. Your daughter has also gotten accepted into our school. She will not have a tuition fee. The housing budget for you is at 1,200 francs per month with a 30 franc travel card for you to get back and forth to work. Do you have any questions at this time?”

“How long am I contracted to work?”

“Your contract is for two years. The probationary period is six months. After two years, you will get an evaluation done to determine further contracts.”

“Okay, thank you, I think that is everything.”

“Very good. We look forward to working with you soon.” With that, Claudia hung up the phone.

I feel so excited for the first time in weeks. The job I truly desired contacted me, and now all I need to do is find a place to live with Kayla. I text Jen from the track phone and tell her the news.

I got a job in Zurich.

Jen is quick to respond. Yay! Way to go! We must go out and celebrate.

It made me laugh; Jen is always looking for a reason to go out and drink. I have not done anything like that since having Kayla. While we were roommates in college, she often dragged me out and took me to parties. Johnny would often tag along. Things were so different then.

I feel like a fool. I did everything right, dated a man longer than just a few months, graduated college before getting married, made sure I liked his family, and still, it wasn’t enough. Can you ever honestly know someone? When did the lies in our relationship start?

Kayla’s dance class quickly ends, and she runs towards me. “I got a sticker, mommy.”

“You did it! Let me see.” Kayla holds up the sticker with pride. “It’s beautiful, Kaykay. Come, let’s go home and have lunch.”

I took her hand, and we walked to the car. After buckling her up, we head home. I quickly make Kayla’s lunch and put her down for a nap. There is a lot of protests today, but she finally lays down.

Taking the opportunity, I pull out Jen’s laptop from under the bed and start looking at apartments. After google maps and public transit searches, I narrowed my search to three miles from the school.

I came across a small two-bedroom apartment less than a mile away from the school. Further looking showed a small park and even an outdoor market near the complex. The downside of the apartment was that it was a five-floor walkup with no elevator. I try to find other options, but the first apartment seems too good to be true.

I send an email to the landlord, inquiring more about the apartment. Then I spend a few minutes working on summer activities for work. There are only two more weeks of school, and soon my hours would increase. I need to work as many hours as possible so that I can stash more money away.

Alex POV

I couldn’t get the American girl out of my head. She is different than most applicants. Her eyes were a brilliant blue, her cheeks had a pink flush to them, and her light brown hair came to her shoulders. There was no doubt Kamryn Miller is a beauty. I had to take a moment when I laid eyes on her, looking at her accomplishments. I would have assumed she’s older, then to find out she has a young child on top of everything.

Opening her file, I look back over her accomplishments.

President of Future Teachers of America

President of New Recruits for Alpha Zeta Chi

Vice President of Chi-society

Ms. Miller also had multiple scholarships, and even a few applied to graduate school. I knew this was a big deal in America. I didn’t know much about the organization she associates with, but it had to be impressive.

A strange feeling swelled inside my chest. I want to know this woman more. For some reason, I feel drawn to something about her. Looking over her application, she is overqualified and doesn’t have experience teaching English. Ms. Miller would also require German lessons, housing budget, transportation funds, and that are on top of a higher salary due to her qualifications.

I lean back against my chair. Maybe I shouldn’t hire this woman; after all, it would be inappropriate to hire someone I find so attractive, right?

I decide to hire someone else but couldn’t bring myself to lose Ms. Miller’s file. I placed the file in my top desk drawer, then call the applicant who I will hire.

“Hello, is this Carter? This is Alexander Senn. I want to offer you the job at the school.”

The older woman accepted the job. I felt relief and sadness at the same time. Part of me felt as though I made a mistake; the other knew it was for the best.

Three weeks later

“So, you no longer want the job here in Zurich?” I ask the older woman in front of me.

“I’m sorry, Sir, it’s just that I am at an age where working with young children isn’t practical. I am going to work at secondary school instead.”

“I see. Very well, I wish you luck.”

“Thank you, Sir. Sorry to put you in this situation.” She got up and left.

My mind races. I need someone to start by August. Now, where am I going to find someone? Ms. Miller, perhaps this is a sign that I am to hire her.

I pull out her file and question if I should call her. Feeling nervous, I get my secretary to take care of the offer. She gives me a strange look but ultimately does it. I turn and go back to my office, making the excuse that I need to complete a lot of work.

Hopefully, Ms. Miller has yet to find a job and is willing to come here.