Shine a Light by Rebecca Crowley

Author:Rebecca Crowley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance
ISBN: 9781954894716
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2021-06-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“Wow. Just wow.” Dana Gregson studied the stapled sheaf of papers in her hand, then looked back up at Ellie. “I wasn’t expecting this level of creativity and professionalism in an applicant for a part-time contract. I’m going to be honest with you—I’m blown away.”

Ellie’s cheeks heated with a happy flush. “I’ve always been passionate about curriculum design and ways to engage students who don’t seem like natural fits for theater studies. I know it’s been a while since I’ve actively worked in education, but—”

Dana waved off her protest. “You’re clearly up-to-date with progressions in the pedagogy.”

“It’s kind of a hobby,” Ellie admitted.

“And you’re prepared to relocate to Orchard Hill for a while? I see the address on your CV is in the Central West End. That’s a tough commute.”

It should’ve been an easy question. Oh yes, I’m staying with my sister. She lives less than half a mile from Murdoch Elementary. You might know my nephews—Gideon is in second grade and Isaac just started kindergarten.

Instead she balked. The words dried up in her mouth, and she stared at the principal, her tongue in knots.

Relocate to—live in—Orchard Hill? She couldn’t. She wouldn’t—not temporarily, not even for pretend so she could secure a job. She’d promised herself a long time ago that she was done with this place, and the thought of reneging had anxiety squeezing her lungs until each breath was a scratchy, rasping drag.

“Actually, I—the commute isn’t—I’m not sure where—”

Too late—the brightly lit enthusiasm in Dana’s expression dimmed.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I enjoyed our meeting, and I appreciate you taking the time to come in. I’ll confer with my team and get back to you shortly.”

“Thank you for your consideration.” Ellie leaped to her feet in unison with Dana. They shook hands and said their goodbyes, and Ellie held her breath until she was safely out of the principal’s office. Then she let it out in one big sigh of relief.

She hated to admit it to herself, but she really wanted this job. It would be a perfect transition back into the classroom, paid enough to keep her afloat while she got back in the rhythm of local auditions, and could open the door to something full-time and permanent in the future. If it had come along three years ago, she would’ve bitten off her own hand to secure the offer.

But she was so close to starting over—on the verge of putting almost two thousand miles between her and all the pain and grief that clung to every inch of this town.

Although that also meant she’d be two time zones away from Jonah.

She glanced at her phone—she couldn’t dwell on all of that right now. They only had two rehearsals left before the performance, and she’d already missed most of this one.

She’d left work early under the guise of attending a doctor’s appointment, trying to make it sound potentially serious in the hope that would limit her colleagues’ inclinations to bother her. Unfortunately she underestimated them, and by the time she parked outside Temple Sinai she’d already fielded several calls.

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