I received the grant award on a Thursday morning.
Dana called me into her office and turned her laptop so I could see the email. My proposal had been selected for a six-month oral-history project and a public exhibit in the museum's waterfront gallery. There was enough money to hire a part-time assistant and travel to two small communities along the coast.
I had wanted the project for almost a year. When I read the award letter, my first feeling was joy. My second was the thought that Simon had already posted about it before I knew it was real.
"Congratulations," Dana said.
"Thank you."
"You should take the afternoon off."
"I'd rather start the interview schedule."
"You can do that tomorrow."
I went outside and called Leah. She shouted so loudly I held the phone away from my ear.
