Page 130 of The Rest is History
“Maybe it’s time to move on. They’re going to be fine,” I say.
“You don’t think it’s weak? To just walk away?”
“No, baby. Sometimes it’s the bravest thing you can do.”
“Yeah. And I’m just tired of fighting, you know? Not just this. It’s everything. I hate having to explain our existence to people. I just want peace. And the two of you are my peace.”
He looks at Reece. “But look at what happened the last time I didn’t fight back. When I let your father get away with tearing us apart like that.”
Reece grins and presses his lips to Asher’s. “Yeah.” He pulls me by the neck of my shirt and kisses me. “Just look at what happened.”
Asher chuckles into our kiss. “You have a point, I guess.”
Chapter 64
Asher
I have a job interview today.
North Wynn High School is a thirty-minute drive away from home. If this morning’s traffic is anything to go by, it shouldn’t be too much of a nightmare if I’m successful.
The school administrator, who’s plaque on the reception counter says Lauren Davidson, smiles warmly. “Mr. Cameron. It’s nice to meet you. If you’ll just wait a minute or two, Principal Branson will be with you shortly. She’s just finishing up a motivational session with our seniors.”
“Thank you.” I take a seat in the waiting area, looking around, trying to assess what kind of environment I might be walking into. No sign of the ten commandments. For those like me, that’s always a good sign.
“Mr. Cameron, hi.” The click of Principal Branson’s heels accompanies her greeting as she steps into the reception area. She holds out her hand and I exchange a firm handshake with her.
“Principal Branson. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Her tone is clipped, but pleasant. “Right this way.”
I follow her into her office and take a seat while she rounds her desk to her leather chair.
“Right, Mr. Cameron. We’ll get right into it. I took a look at your resume, but—” she chuckles — “I didn’t really need to. I’ve seen enough of you, your previous football team and your games on the internet. You look a lot less intimidating sitting in an office than you do on the field.”
My cheeks get hot. “Well,” I chuckle, “We leave everything on the field.”
“You do, indeed. So, tell me about yourself, Mr. Cameron. Not the stuff I can find online. I know the reasons you left your previous employment. Personally, your principal should’ve fought harder for you. I know I would have. But I want you to talk to me. Tell me who you are.”
I clear my throat. I guess all I can do is tell the truth. “Well, Principal Branson, I’m a person who stands for what he believes in. I know when to fight. I know when to walk away – my parents taught me that. I’m true to myself and those I care about. I believe in truth and honesty before glory and fame. What you see on the field is a culmination of everything I believe in – hard work, integrity, and self-determination. It’s what I try to instill in my students.”
Her dark skin is accentuated by the fresh morning sunlight pouring into the room and her smile feels genuine. I love the authenticity she radiates. It will be easy to trust this woman if she were to become my boss.
“I’m only interested in one thing, Mr. Cameron, and that is how the kids respond to you. All I care about is whether we are sending kids out into the world with the tools to change it. I couldn’t care less for bigoted parents or community members or school district superintendents if the evidence shows that the children are better people in the end.”
She smiles again. “I don’t care about what you do with your personal life, Mr. Cameron. I want you to do here at North Wynn High what you did at Linksfield. Can you guarantee me that?”
“I can guarantee that I’ll bring everything I have to the field, to the students, to you and the staff.”
“Oh, Mr. Cameron,” she chuckles. “I try not to have favorites, but it’s going to be hard with you.”
My cheeks hurt. I can’t stop smiling.
“You’re an inspiration. How they ever let you go is beyond me but I’m not complaining. You start after winter break. Just in time to prepare for the spring season. Expect some paperwork from Lauren.”
“That’s it? Perhaps I should explain—”
She smiles. “Mr. Cameron. We don’t have time for all the red tape. And no, you don’t have to explain anything. You are a championship-winning coach who has changed the lives of your students. In my book you are what we need more of in the school system – someone who stands their ground despite the pressures of society. I want that here. So, yes. That’s it. That’s the whole interview. We’ll match or beat whatever you earned at Linksfield High. You’ll come in as head coach and you’ll have two assistant coaches working with you. They know about your application and basically instructed me to hire you. You’ll be coming into a team that already has a great deal of respect for you. Do you have any questions?”
