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Part One

The first …

“Ms Miller”

At the sound of as te forward, I stop in front ofwoman in a navy suit not so unlike my own

“Hi,” I say, sounding as aard and nervous as I feel about being unemployed for the first time in my life

My greeting earns me a quick up-and-down inspection that hasoff an invisible cliff She levels a stare at me and asks, “Can I help you?” And her prickly tone says I’ve failed her sixty-second assessment

“I’m Ms Miller,” I reply, and try to win her over “But, please, you can call me Kali”

Her lips twist and tell me she is clearly not charmed, as I had intended Instead, she looks down her nose, which is as straight as the long brunette hair neatly tied at her nape, and repeats with formality, “Ms Miller I’m Ms Williams, your job-placement counselor Come with me”

“Ms Williaes down a narrow hallway and I chase after her, just as I did for the reporting job at the Vegas Heat that fell through before I ever started to work She disappears into an office and I folloiping at a strand ofblond hair, which suddenly feels as disheveled as the new life I’ve gambled on

Ms Williams settles behind a basic wooden desk and undy cloth-covered visitor’s chair Claiht as well be labeled FOR DESPERATE, UNEMPLOYED FOLKS, I adjust my skirt to rest primly at my knees and watch Ms Willialy long amount of time

She glances up at lint in her eyes—real or created by ht to the point,” she declares “You orking as a reporter in college”

“And for a year at the Texas Sun,” I quickly add, afraid she’s missed that line on my application “I only left for a better offer, which was eliminated while I was en route”

“I was getting there, Ms Miller,” she repri jobs They’re hard to co jobs If you can return to Texas and get your job back, you should”

The whiplash effect of her words has hwatermelon festivals and, well, other … stuff I’d rather not think about now Or ever I’d rather not think about it ever “I took your administrative tests,” I point out, “and, as you should be able to tell, I have excellent clerical skills Additionally, I’anized and I’m dedicated to whatever I do I need work—therefore, I will be timely and productive while on the job”

“I saw your testing The question is, will you be reliable if I send you to a job that isn’t a reporting position?” It doesn’t come out as the question it claims to be but more as an accusation