“What happens if you get the job?” Caroline asked. She pushed her empty plate away from her.
“If I do get accepted to their internship program, I’ll work with the other nine interns designing software platforms for new apps. And we’re all evaluated the whole time. Then, after six-weeks, they make one offer for a full-time position.” I couldn’t help but glance at my father who ate as he watched me speak. His face remained motionless.
“I know you've told me this before, but what's so special about ZephTech? Isn't there a company out there that would be easier to work for?” Mom asked.
“ZephTech designs games,” I explained. “They've been my dream job since I was ten. They are the best of the best. Just getting the internship gets you in the door for almost every other job out there.”
I looked at my plate of chicken and realized that I hadn’t eaten much since the conversation began. Consciously, I forked a sizable bite to my mouth, hoping that someone else would take over the talking.
“We’re crossing our fingers for you,” my mother said. I was surprised both by the warm smile on her face and the way she’d sounded almost nostalgic. “You're going to do so many amazing things. You always do.”
“What games do they make?” Tommy asked, finally joining the conversation.
“Nerd games,” I replied, trying to be humorous.
“Seriously, what games?” Tommy pressed. “Do they have anything to do with Monster GO?”
“Monster GO? I don't thinks so,” I answered. “But I’ll show you their games when we get home.”
Tommy looked far less excited than I expected.
“Do they make an app that’ll get me a job?” Caroline said, her words backed by a faint sarcasm.
“You turn my cover letter into something genius, and I’ll make the app for you,” I said and Caroline smiled back at me.
“That’s a deal,” she said.
As my family continued their conversation, I looked back toward the table where the handsome man had been seated. Sadly, he was no longer there.
Bummer, I thought. I would have liked to see him again.
Chapter 2
Dear Alicia,
We regret to inform you that the position you applied for as software engineer has been filled by a more qualified applicant. We wish you the best in your journey and hope you reapply next year.
With an agitated sigh, I clicked the “delete” button on the email and put it in the trash along with all the others. It was the third email I had gotten that day and they all said the same thing, that my newly received college degree was worth practically nothing in the work force.
I spun my chair around away from the desk. At the same time,Tommy popped in through the door, unannounced.
“Why do you look so upset?” he asked, as he pushed his shaggy hair out of his eyes.
“Because I have a little brother who doesn't know how to knock,” I replied, with a sarcastic smirk.
Completely ignoring me, Tommy strolled in and took a seat on my bed.
“Seriously, Alicia, you've been in here all day,” he said. “You've been home from college for more than a week and I haven't seen you at all.”
“I'm just really trying to find a job and I'm not having any luck,” I said, shaking my head. “It seems like all I get are denial letters.”
“What about that Zep
htech job that you were talking about?” he asked. “I thought you had already started the steps to getting hired there.”
“I have started, but there are like twenty steps to their hiring process. I'm on step five, and I haven't heard back from them in two days.” I sighed loudly. “I worked really hard at my resume and cover letter for them. I even had Caroline look over it for me, but I have a feeling that I'm going to get an email from them soon that's just like all the others.”
Tommy didn't really understand the full gravity of my situation. He had just turned thirteen, his world was still small, and his only real concern was how he'd spend his free days during summer vacation. I wished that I could still be that young and carefree. But alas, I was a college graduate and needed to start building my own life. It was time to grow up.