Page 90 of Love in the Lab
I shrug. “I had a key so there really wasn’t any breaking, just entering.” I hesitate. “You don’t think you’ll ever feel like I’m weighing you down, do you? Like my mom felt about my dad?”
“Jonathan,” she says gently. She puts a hand on either side of my face. “You don’t weigh me down. You ground me when I need it so that when it’s time to fly, we can soar together.”
Chapter thirty-three
Molly
The next few weeks are a whirlwind of decluttering and organizing as Jonathan and I try to combine two households while simultaneously getting ready to move to another state, now with a week-long trip to Ohio in the mix. I’m proud of how Jonathan is handling the issues with his dad, though. Even before his mom’s revelations, I felt like he needed to make the trip. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to interfere.
The week after Thanksgiving, I call Almay Jones and formally accept the principal investigator position at the Hollings Lab. I negotiate my contract to include moving expenses—with enoughto cover packing both apartments and unpacking in our new apartment in Charleston—and a position for Jonathan on the ecological assessment team in a different lab within the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.
It’s easier than I thought it would be. As soon as I send over his CV, Dr. Jones provides three options for open positions. The ecological assessment team conducts a lot of fieldwork, so it’s a perfect fit. They even have someone who can help us find housing, since we won’t be able to get to Charleston to scope out apartments before the move.
One of the most difficult tasks on our list is talking to Dr. Gantt and putting in our notice. We’ve kept quiet about the job offer, and our marriage, until all the details were worked out. The day after I sign the contract, which is the second week of December and about two weeks after Thanksgiving, we ask to meet with her in her office.
“What’s going on, you two?” Dr. Gantt asks as we sit in the chairs across from her desk. We’ve all still been working with the glider data from Hernando, and Dr. Gantt is working on a grant application for additional funding to continue data collection during future tropical systems that come near New Orleans.
Jonathan and I glance at each other. “There’s no easy way to say this,” Jonathan begins. “We wanted to let you know about our plans to leave this lab, and NOSU altogether.”
Dr. Gantt's eyes widen. “What’s going on?”
“First, I want to say how grateful I am for the experience you’ve given me here,” I say. “Watching my research ideas become reality has been amazing, and the opportunities you’ve given me here directly correlate with me even having an option of leaving.” I take a breath. “After the CERA presentation, I was offered a PI position heading up harmful algal bloom mitigation research at the Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina. I’ve decided to accept it.”
Dr. Gantt clasps her hands together against her chest. “Molly! That’s an amazing opportunity. Of course you have to accept. Oh, I’m thrilled for you!” Her forehead furrows. “Wait, though. You’re both resigning?”
In a synchronized motion that must look like we practiced it, though we didn’t, we both raise our ring-adorned left hands. Jonathan shrugs. “We got married while we were in Vegas. So, she’s stuck with me. I go where she goes.”
Dr. Gantt’s eyebrows nearly hit her hairline. “You what?” She looks at me for confirmation, and I nod. “Well, that’s wonderful news! Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” Jonathan beams. “I also want to tell you how much I appreciate you, Dr. Gantt. When you recruited me to your team, I know you planned on me staying more than nine months, but life had other plans, I guess. This has been a dream job, even more so because it gave me an opportunity to finally get to know Molly. Turns out she’s the woman of my dreams.”
Dr. Gantt blinks rapidly, as if trying to hold back tears. “Thank you, Jonathan. What’s next for you in Charleston?”
“I’ll be working on the NCCOS ecological assessment team, so fortunately, my days of piloting boats are not over yet.”
“Sounds like you’ll both be in good situations. I won’t try to pretend that losing you isn’t a blow to this research team. I don’t look forward to trying to replace you. I’ll be hard-pressed to find two better scientists, especially who work so well together, despite the occasional prank war.” She gives us a knowing look, and I drop my eyes guiltily to the floor.
I can hear the grin in Jonathan’s voice as he asks, “How much did you know about?”
“Oh, I know about much more than you might think, Dr. Stanch.” She smiles. “I’m thrilled you’ll both have the opportunity to continue building your careers and your life together.”
At this moment I know that my new career goal—well, one of them at least—is to aspire to be as kind and insightful a PI as Dr. Gantt someday.
Jonathan’s family is ecstatic when we tell them we’re coming to Ohio for Christmas and Pete and Sharon’s wedding two days later. Jonathan’s dad sounds suspiciously choked up when we talk to him on the phone. If he’s getting emotional now, I can only imagine how he’ll take it when Jonathan initiates their long-overdue heart-to-heart.
Tamara texts us every day with another dish she or one of the other relatives are planning to make for Christmas dinner. I guess she figures that if Jonathan’s tempted to back out, having the food he’d be missing fresh in his mind might stem the tide.
The list of foods Jonathan assures me are Midwestern delicacies rolls in. HoneyBaked Ham. Green bean casserole. Homemade yeast rolls. Fruit salad. Buttery mashed potatoes with brown gravy. Not to mention Dutch crumble apple pie, homemade fudge, and an excessive assortment of cookies. Plus, something called a Kringle?
I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in person, especially Tamara. She reminds me of my sisters—or, what I imagine it might be like if I had an older sister instead of alwaysbeingthe older sister. And Jonathan’s nieces. We don’t have kids in my family, so I’m nervous about interacting with them. I haven’t been around little kids since Olivia was a little kid.
“Oh my gosh.” I don’t realize I’ve mumbled this out loud until Jonathan looks up from the suitcase he’s packing.
“What?”
“I’m an aunt now. Your nieces will call me Aunt Molly because I’m married to their uncle.”
Jonathan grins. “Don’t worry. The girls are the best. I just give them whatever they want and roughhouse with them, and they love me.”
