The Billionaire Band Director

Chapter 5

    Martha smiled all the way back to the motel.  Betsy, of course, had been “absolutely delighted” to have the opportunity to arrange an interview for Martha at George I Academy.  The interview, Betsy informed her, would be more of a formality than anything.  Betsy was certain- “absolutely certain”- that they would be delighted to have such a brilliant and beautiful teacher as Betsy James’ granddaughter at their school.  Betsy had insisted on Martha staying right where she was while Betsy called a “dear friend” at the school.

    “Oh Mary, you will love her! Absolutely love her!” Betsy gushed into the phone.

    It made Martha a bit embarrassed to be talked about like she was a prize hog, especially since Betsy had just met her and had no real reason to believe the praise she was giving, but Martha really wanted that job.  For Josie, she kept telling herself.  I want to provide a good life for Josie.  And if I happen to chase my dreams while I do it, well, that’s a good thing, right?  It sets a good example.

    “Oh Mary, you are such a doll.  An absolute doll.”

    Betsy put her phone away and beamed at Martha.

    “Well, Martha, darling, it looks like we got ourselves an interview!” said Betsy.

    Martha worried for a minute about the use of “we.”  Was Betsy going to the interview with her?  Then Martha remembered that Betsy did all the work to make the interview happen, and that it would have been most accurate for Betsy to say “I got you an interview,” and she smiled appreciatively.

    “Oh Grandmother, I don’t know what to say!  Thank you so much!”

    “Oh don’t thank me, dear girl.  I am delighted to help you, absolutely delighted!  And of course, we must go shopping!” chimed Betsy.

    Martha looked confused.  Shopping?

    Her confusion must have shown on her face, because Betsy quickly explained.

    “For your interview, darling.  We must find you something… academic, to wear to your interview.”

    Martha had thought her outfit looked very academic.  Her navy skirt and white shirt looked like teacher clothes, didn’t they?  Or had she missed the mark and looked too much like a student, or maybe a flight attendant?

    Martha decided that when it came to the appropriate attire to wear for the most important interview of her life, with some East Coast socialite who would undoubtedly be judging her appearance, it would be best to accept Betsy’s help if offered.

    “Grandmother, I would absolutely love your shopping advice.”

    So Betsy and Martha made arrangements to go shopping the next day.  The interview would take place the day after that.  When Betsy found out that Josie was in town with Martha, she insisted that Josie come too.  Martha was not sure how much Josie would like whatever upscale boutique Betsy brought them to, but she did not want to make a habit of leaving Josie by herself.

    When Martha walked into the motel room her decision to not leave Josie alone was confirmed.  The room was a mess.  Fruit Loops were all over the floor.  Clothing was thrown around.  Every lamp and light in the room was on a moved towards one corner, where Josie was belting into a hairbrush.

    “Look at this… I left a motel room and came back to a rock concert” said Martha.

    Josie stopped singing long enough to smile at her cousin.

    “Actually, you stepped on to the set of my next music video,” said Josie.  “Can’t you tell?  Look at this expert lighting.”

    Martha smiled at her cousin.  “Is that what this is?  I didn’t know music video sets were covered in cereal.”

    Josie just shrugged and went back to singing.

    Martha knew they would have to clean up eventually, but she was too happy to deal with that at the moment.  She threw herself on to the bed and listened to Josie’s singing.  Josie’s voice was excellent, but her taste in music was terrible.  Martha closed her eyes and let herself feel hopeful about the interview.  She had enough in her savings to buy a nice outfit that Betsy thought was appropriate, even if it was nothing she would normally buy for herself.  And if she got the job, maybe she and Josie would move in to one of the little brick cottages at the school.  Martha had read that many of the teachers lived on the grounds.  Of course, it might be more practical to find a place to rent near the public school for Josie.  That would also put them closer to the town.  And, if they were close to the town, they could walk down the cute brick streets, maybe stop in the coffee shops to see who was there…

    Seriously Martha? She thought to herself.  You spilled coffee all over him and now you’re fantasizing about ways to do it again?  Watch out or you’ll turn into your mother.

    Martha ignored the nagging voice in her head and kept on fantasizing.  She remembered the man’s laugh, his smile, and the touch of his hand on hers when he handed her a new cup of coffee. 

    Well Martha, she told herself, you had your doubts, but it turns out this town is not as bad as you thought.