Page 6 of See Me

Being born a girl was my first offense and Elliot O’Loughlin was my name whether I had a penis or not.

I smooth my wildly demure sundress down in the back and take a seat across from him, confidence brimming at seeing him concede.

His dark eyes never leave my face. He clears his throat and shuffles papers around his desk. “I guess we can proceed with the interview. How much bar experience do you have?”

“None.”

His eyes narrow and he looks down at the papers in his hand. “None?”

I lean over the desk trying to see the papers. “Don’t you have my application in your hand?”

He moves the paper closer to his chest like we’re in third grade and I’m trying to cheat on a math quiz. “Yes, I have your application. There was no food service experience listed. I’m actually curious why you even applied.”

“That’s a pretty tight screening process you have.”

Shut up, Ella! Jeebus!

His entire face flexes.

I didn’t even know that was possible.And I have a degree in human biology.

He sets the application on the desk and clasps his hands together, and from the look on his face, the move is to keep from strangling me. “Do you want this job?”

I dig my fingers into my temples. “Yes, yes, sorry. It’s been a long week. I, uh, never got paid for any food service work. Butmy parents always had these extravagant parties and instead of attending as a guest, I would hide in the back and help out in the kitchen and make drinks. I can make a mean Old Fashioned.” An uncomfortable laugh pops out before I clear my throat and try to maintain some semblance of confidence.

Instead of responding, he takes a minute to look me up and down. I cross my arms over my chest and swirl my foot around in circles.

I clear my throat after a solid minute of silence. “Did you have another question?”

He straightens his spine and schools his face, which was actually starting to relax. “What’s your availability?”

“Until the first week of January, I’m completely open. After that, it would just be evenings.”

“What happens in January?”

“I’ll hopefully be starting my teaching job. So maybe not a full schedule, if that’s okay. I’ll need time to work on lesson plans and grading homework and such.”

His eyes actually met mine, without the disdain, for the first time since I sat down. “You’re a teacher?”

I smile. “Yeah.”

He gestures to the application like it personally offends him. “I’m still confused why you want this job.”

“Is that a normal interview question?" I ask, giving off a little more bite than intended. I chew on the inside of my cheek and adjust my purse in my lap. "Why does it matter?"

“Like I said, I screen my applicants.”

“Is that why you called for an interview on an application that had no service experience listed whatsoever? Or how you missed the little box checked at the top that says I’m female? Which honestly shouldn’t even be an allowable question on an employment application. Maybe if you actually used a computer instead of these archaic paper applications, youwould have a better idea of who’s applying and you can avoid spewing unnecessary attitude all over your applicants.”

He stands and tosses my application on a table behind him. “I think we’re done here.”

Fudge.

“Listen, I’m—”

“Hey, there you are.” Flirty Priest, that’s always behind the bar, sweeps in the room. Finally, a friendly face. I was beginning to wonder if I should just walk out of here instead of swallowing my pride and begging for a job. “Just thought I would bring in the manifest for the order that got dropped off.” He turns to me and gives me a knowing smile with wide-eyes that says,you’re still alive, stop talking.

I let out a breath and extend my hand. “Hi, I’m Ella.”

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