Page 57 of Slapshot
He continues talking and hands off his business card. The next person tries to step up, but he holds up a finger indicating he needs a minute.
I let him come to me. He wraps me in a quick hug. All I can do to reciprocate is lean into him as I continue to hold my leather portfolio against my chest. He hugs me like he’s happy to see me, like he missed me, and I just soak it all in until he steps back. “I almost didn’t recognize you all dressed up.”
Smoothing a hand down my skirt, I say, “I have an interview.”
“I remembered.”
Someone bumps into me and he grabs my elbow to steady me.
“You should get back before they riot. That’s quite a line.”
He smiles as he scopes out the huge mass of people dying for their turn to talk to him. “Yeah, I suppose. We’re still on for dinner?”
“Yeah. I’ll be off work around six-thirty.”
“Perfect. I’m gonna swing by the arena and see Coach Keller when I’m done here.”
“You’re going to the hockey practice today?”
“Just a quick stop. I’ll have my phone on me and I’ll meet you as soon as you’re done.”
Oh shit. I knew I was going to have to tell my dad where I was working, but I thought I’d be able to warm up to it and drop it casually into dinner conversation.Oh by the way, I’m the hockey team’s new equipment manager.
Easy breezy like I haven’t been avoiding all things hockey for the past eight years.
“Dad, I need to tell you something—” I start at the same time, he says, “Sorry, I need to get back.”
“Yeah, of course.” I take a step to the side.
“See you tonight, sweetheart.”
* * *
I’m still feeling nervous and off-kilter when I get to my interview. A senior level marketing employee from Hawthorne Marketing stands from behind the conference table and offers me her hand.
“I’m Sara. Nice to meet you.”
“Kaitlyn.”
She motions for me to have a seat. “Is this your first interview today?”
I realize I’m still standing nervously. I sit and interlock my fingers, then squeeze.Get it together.
“Yes. And only.”
She has the resume I emailed over in front of her. “You aren’t applying for other internships?”
“No,” I admit. “Working at Hawthorne is sort of my dream job.”
That gets a smile from her. “Mine too. I interned when I was in college and I’ve been with the company ever since.” She picks up my resume. “Manager for the hockey team, huh? What’s that like?”
“It’s great,” I say with a big, trained smile. Then realize it actually is. “Smelly pads aside.”
With a laugh, she leans back in her chair. “You must be a big hockey fan then.”
I smile but don’t provide a confirmation. Am I? My feelings for hockey are too complicated to dump on a prospective employer’s lap. I know that I’m enjoying the job and being on the ice again with the team during practice has softened some of the painful memories I’ve clung to since I quit.
“Tell me about your experience with marketing. Any jobs or classes, projects.”
