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CHAPTER 1
NEW JOB
FRANCINE
My phone ringingin the middle of the day shouldn’t be nerve wracking, but when my phone rings next to me today, my hand shakes as I pick it up. The name on the screen readsUSA Hockey.I’ve been waiting for this call. Or any call from any of the places that I’ve applied to or interviewed with. USA Hockey is at the top of my list of hopefuls, but I’d be happy if any organization gave me a call.
“Hello?” I try to keep my nerves out of my voice.
“Francine Henderson?” The voice on the other end of the call asks.
“This is she.”
“Francine, this is Derek Moore with USA Hockey, how are you today?”
“Good thanks.” I can’t read anything from Derek. Not his tone. Not anything. I don’t know if this is a good call or a bad call. If this is a job offer or a “thanks for applying, but…” kind of call. I know what I’m hoping for.
“Glad to hear it. Listen…”
Same thing I’ve heard from three other organizations. They don’t need statisticians or data analysts. However, Derek did say something no one else has yet.
“I’m impressed with your resume. I’m going to hang onto it in case we have any openings anywhere in the organization.”
The rest of the call is your usual awkward pleasantries as we both attempt to hang up. When I’m finally off the phone, I slip it into my pocket, refill my coffee at the self-serve coffee station, and head out of the bakery and make my way to the physical therapy clinic just outside of downtown Detroit. On the way there, the phone rings again and I answer, letting it connect to my car’s bluetooth.
“Hello?”
“Francine?”
“Yes?”
“This is Margaret Andersson with the Detroit Union. I know this is incredibly last minute, but do you have any availability to meet with Steve Harris today?”
“I’m on my way to an appointment now, but I can be there after. Say…ten AM?”
Margaret pauses for a moment and I hear the faint flipping of paper pages. Ahmmand the quick click of a pen. “We can do ten.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”
“We don’t need statisticians,” Mr. Harris stares down his nose at me. Different theater, same song and dance. At this point I’m annoyed and frustrated and sore from physical therapy which doesn’t help with my mood. Why call me down here for a meeting only to tell me that you don’t need me? That there are no openings? It’s a waste of my time and his. “But…”
ButI’ll keep your resume on file in case anything opens up.
ButI’ll pass your name along to a friend in another organization and see if they have any openings.
Butthanks for trying. Make sure you grab a complimentary beer koozie on your way out the door.
“We do need an attendant for the home penalty box. You’d keep track of penalties and timing, so there’s still some stats involved I suppose.”
Penalty box attendant.
It’s something. I suppose.
“Technicallythe position is a league position as an off-ice official, but it’s assigned to our arena. If you accept the job you’ll start when the team comes home tomorrow afternoon. I know this isn’t what you applied for but it’s something.”
Itissomething.
It’s better than nothing at all.
