Page 116 of Broken Hearts
“There are days I dread coming, but once class starts, no, I love it.”
“That’s really cool, and you’re good at it so it works out well for everyone.”
I start the music and sit on the floor to stretch out. “What are you going to do this summer?”
She lets her shoulders sag forward and the end of her red ponytail falls over one arm. “I have applied for so many internships, but so far they’re either unpaid or the salary is so low I couldn’t afford to feed myself.”
“What kind of internship are you looking for?” I ask.
While we wait for people to join the class, Dakota tells me she wants to do public relations or marketing and she’s hoping to find something this summer to get some experience for her resume.
“It looks like it’s going to be another summer working at the Hall of Fame. It’s so quiet over the summer. The only people that come in for tours are alumni wanting to relive their glory years.”
“Oh, that sounds kind of nice.” A few people have joined us and are rolling out their mats and getting ready.
“It really isn’t. Never fails, I get stuck listening to an hour’s worth of stories about how much harder they partied back then or how much better the team was.”
I laugh at the visual.
“I’m whining. I’m sorry. It’s a wonderful job and I love it, but I’m starting to seriously stress about graduating and getting a real job.”
“I feel that. I’ve spent many nights lying awake wondering if I should just get another degree and keep doing this for another couple of years.”
“Working out and getting paid? I could get down with that too.”
Dakota is athletic and in great shape, but after the first class, she falls back onto her mat and declares that she is done.
“That was beginner?” She places a forearm over her eyes.
“You didn’t have to do the modified versions.”
“I was trying to keep up with you. I failed.”
“Thanks for coming. It was good to chat and get my mind off everything.”
“Any time. I was thinking…” She bites the corner of her lip.
“Uh-oh.”
“I think you could do this as a job after college.”
“The pay is crap. I’d be living in cheap apartments with twelve roommates.”
“What if it wasn’t?”
“Then sign me up, but I’ve looked around. It’s crappy pay and no benefits.”
“I have an idea. Can I stay and record the next class?”
“You want to record the class?”
“Well, no. I want to record you.”
Maverick walks in and raises a hand in greeting before he joins us.
“Staying for class or just finishing up?” he asks Dakota.
“Both.” She looks to me. “I’ll only record you. I won’t get anyone else so you don’t have to worry about getting waivers or permission or whatever.”
