Starting Over.

Chapter 3 - Bombing it.

“Ryan Williams?” I heard and stood. David wasn’t wrong, the place was packed full of people interviewing for the same position. I followed the woman down to a empty-ish office. “Mrs. Andersen will be with you shorty.” The woman smiled and I sat down.

“Thank you so much.” I said and took a deep breath. “You can do this.” I whispered to myself.

“Oh! I half expected with a name like Ryan that you would be a man.” I heard behind me. I stood and turned holding my hand out.

“Most people expect that unless I specify.” I said with a smile. We looked each other up and down. She was a older woman with cracks and wrinkles that insinuated she was or had been a smoker. She wore a plain white blouse with a nice business skirt. She obviously valued comfort over appearance because she wore clogs and had her hair completely messy in a bun. Strands escaping everywhere.

“Shall we?” She said motioning for me to sit.

“I know I look dreadful today. I’ve done so many of these interviews, my eyes can’t see straight anymore.” She said and I nervously laughed. Mrs. Andersen sat there quietly for a moment and I felt my whole body tense up. “Why do you want this job?” She asked and I went blank.

“Um, I’ve done a lot of data analysis for my last company and I think I could put those skills to use here.” I said nervously. She watched me for a moment.

“Your goals?” She asked and I stared at her.

“For this company or for my life?” I asked with my voice trembling.

“This company Mrs. Wilson.” She said unamused. I’m bombing. Oh god I’m bombing this interview. “It’s Ms.” Oh sh*t did I just correct her. What am I thinking. Did she call me Wilson?

“My apologies, Ms. Wilson.” Her lips curled into a smile and I know it was a sarcastic one.

“My goal is to show you I can do a good job. That I can work hard and possibly move up to higher positions.” I said. Nice save Ryan, I thought and she leaned forward looking at the papers I had brought in. She handed them back to me.

“We’ll call you.” She said and I put my hand out.

“Thank you for the opportunity to interview with you.” I said feeling a lump grow in my throat. I had bombed this interview. That was it for me. Soon I would be homeless. Maybe Tonya would let me sleep on her mom and mom’s boyfriend’s couch? I stood and walked out the door. I got to the elevator and sighed. I pulled out my phone a the elevator doors opened. I stepped in and called the only person k could think of.

“How did it go?” I heard Tonya’s voice.

“I bombed it.” I said as the elevator went down to the bottom floor.

“I’m sorry hun. I know you don’t want to but, maybe you need to call your mom and form a back up plan.” Tonya said in a sympathetic tone.

“No, it would require moving back home. There’s even less there then there is here.” I said sadly as I stepped out into the lobby and out the front doors.

“Is that so bad? Moving home?” Tonya asked.

“Yes Tonya! Im not going back there. I will figure this out!” I said determined to make it on my own. I get into the car and sat there.

“Well? What’s your grand plan?” She said and I sighed.

“I guess my next step is to call this guy.” I pulled out the business card.

“What guy?” Tonya asked.

“I ran into a guy as I walked into the building. He saw my resume and said he might have a job for me.” I said fiddling with the card.

“As his like s*x slave or something? Hidden in his dungeon of passion!?” She elaborated too much and I glared.

“Why do you have to take it there and make it weird?” I asked and I heard laughter.

“Who’s this guy anyways?” She asked mid laugh.

“David Featherman? I guess he’s the CFO.” I said and there was silence.

“You ran into a Featherman and you didn’t start this call with that?” She said dead serious.

“Do you know him or something?” I asked and she made a weird exhale sound.

“I wish I knew them! Best I not say much. If you’re going to call him.” She said and I grew concerned.

“Now you have to tell me.” I said and she giggled.

“Is he as handsome as the rumors claimed?” I heard her somewhat seductive voice.

“Oh my god was he gleaming! So handsome.” I gushed and then heard Tonya laugh.

“Tell me how that call goes. Don’t blow it!” She warned and then hung up. I took a deep breath and dialed the number.

“Mr. Featherman’s office, how may I help you?” I heard a young woman’s voice.

“Hi! Or hello? Oh gosh, I’m Ryan Williams and I was told to call about a possible job?” I said and grimaced at the way I started my call.

“Oh yes, Mr. Featherman was expecting your call. He needs your address to send a car for your meeting tomorrow Ms. Williams.” I heard her fingers clacking the keys of her computer.

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“I need your address Ms. Williams.” She said again in a sweet voice. I told her my address and listen to her typing like crazy. “Alright! You are set for your noon appointment. A car will be there to get you at eleven.” She said.

“Tomorrow?” I asked again.

“Yes! Tomorrow morning. Have a good day.” I heard before the phone cut off. I stared at the phone. How was he already expecting my call?