North Island

Chapter 3

Allie

I awake Monday morning, my face wet with tears. A nightmare that often haunts my dreams leaves me regretting leaving my ex. I’ve had them for years, I always thought they were sign I shouldn’t leave him because of the pain I’d feel.

The dreams are always the same, he’s mad at me and I’m trying to make something impossible right. I scream, but he can’t hear me. He’s right in front of me, but I can’t get to him. He’s at the tips of my fingers, but I can’t get any closer.

I just want to hold onto him more than anything, but I can’t. I feel so much pain in the dream and I cry and scream until it’s over and I find myself crying in my sleep.

I’ve had the similar dream, but with other people instead of my ex. They’re so vivid and shake me to the core after I wake up.

Padding to the kitchen, I make coffee and feed Asher.

I slip into a modest maroon dress, and my brown sandals again. Styling my hair in larger curls and makeup. I feel like I went back in time to when my hair and nails were always perfect. Makeup never smudged. Dress clothes were worn everyday and heels killed my feet.

I hope Emerald Airways is laid back with their dress code.

I arrive at the small airport. Pulling through the gate, the property appeared to be secured with a tall chain link fence.

The main office was small. An open field with freshly cut grass sported a long blacktop runway down the middle. Hangars were stationed side by side behind the office building.

I walked into the main entrance of the office. It was modern inside. It had a decent size waiting area and receptionist desk with a middle aged women behind it.

I looked around as the lady finished up her phone call.

“Hello, how many I help you?” She beamed with her professional voice.

“Hi, my name is Allie Warren. I’m here for an interview.”

“Okay, let me tell her you’re here.”

The lady stands and I’m relieved when I see her relaxed outfit. She rounds the corner down a hall.

A minute later she returns with women around her age.

“Allie, hi, I’m Kathrine Woods.” She holds out her hand and I give her a firm shake. Shoving my nervousness down.

“Follow me.” She begins to walk back down the hall and I’m on her heels until we step into an office.

“Take a seat, I’ll be back with the other two who are sitting in on the interview.”

She steps back out of the office and I look around, the office is a…. Mess. Papers and files stacked everywhere, besides the desk in front of me she clearly cleaned off just for the interview. The desk is a U shape and sits in front of large window that over looks where the landing strip is.

I hear voices and shift my posture, running my hands over the dress on my thighs.

Kathrine enters the room with two men, an older one who could be my dads age and a younger one….. oh f**k. Brady. He gives me a smile when we make eye contact and I give him a soft one back.

So much for trying not to be nervous.

Kathrine sits in her chair and the older man takes the chair next to me and scoots it to beside the desk. Brady leans up against the back desk, with his butt sitting on the top but his feet still touch the floor.

“Okay, Allie, thank you for meeting us today. We’re very impressed with your resume and thankful you decided to apply.” Kathrine says with pure sweetness in her voice

“Thank you for giving me an interview.”

I nod my head in response

“Okay, so let me tell you a little bit about emerald airways..” she starts, clearing her throat

“This company is 70 years old and has been kept in our family. Before Jim and I took it over, it was my fathers, and before that, his fathers. We plan to keep it in the family as my son, Brady is beginning to take over, and hopefully Brady’s son one day when he decides to settle down.” She shoots her son a dagger stare and continues “We have 10 employed pilots, and Janet our receptionist. We offer passenger and service flights as well as certified carrying US mail and UPS from the mainland. We are one of the two airways on the island. The position you’d be filling is mine, as I’m looking to retire with Jim. You’d always be able to call me with questions or help. I’ll be honest, our accounting and administrative side really needs cleaned up. I’m old style and we need someone with proficiency in doing these task in a more modern way.

Things like our website needs a lot of work, we’d like it so people can book and pay for flights from there. We need a better software for accounting. You’d also be doing payroll, management such as flight schedule for services and employees. I’m just not tech savvy with that kind of stuff. Your resume and work history testifies you’re more than qualified for this job.” She says with a smile that reaches her eyes.

“I love that you guys are a family business and a great service to the island. I’m familiar with the task you would like for me to complete.”

“How much do you know about aviation?” Jim speaks up from his seat

“Honestly not much, but I’m very willing to learn. The topic itself is fascinating to me.” I smile with confidence and truth and he nods

“I’ve been on my parents to retire for awhile and to travel. No offense, mother, but we need to get with times and modernize are systems.” Brady says staring right at me. The sun shining through the window makes his brown eyes look golden.

“Yes, Brady I know. So Allie, would you like to become apart of the family?” Kathrine smiles

“Yes, I would love too.” I smile a real, genuine smile. I can already see myself happy here. Doing what I do best while being myself.