Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Reading (01/25/07)
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TITLE: Reading for a Living | Previous Challenge Entry
By CeCe Lane
01/30/07 -
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I quickly flipped through the classifieds searching the employment section. I was in need of a job and everyone knows that is where you find one. I took a sip of my coffee, picked up my green pencil and optimistically set to work.
Aha! The first job was perfect. I read aloud Wanted: Cook. Must be willing to work noon shift, and able to follow a recipe. Call Jeff at 555-7847
I called my husband, “Ralph, come here! Quick! I found my job!”
“What did you find” he entered the kitchen buttoning his dark blue work shirt.
“Listen to this.” I read him the ad; “I can do that. I’m going to call today.”
“Uh honey, we order take-out every night. Do you remember what happened the last time you tried to cook? You almost burned the house down. Or the time you tried making soup in the microwave and burned the water?”
“Ralph, I was in the third grade. You didn’t even know me yet. I’ve grown and changed a lot in the years since then. I think anyone can burn water in the microwave. I know I can follow a recipe!”
“Babe, you don’t know the difference between a teaspoon and a tablespoon.”
“True, but I can read. Anyone who can read can follow a recipe. All I have to do is read it and do what it says.”
“I think you should keep looking. Maybe there is a different job. Keep reading, I’m sure one will jump out at you.”
Reluctantly I agree. Besides it’s crazy to take the first job you read about. If I took that one people would think I was desperate. I grab another gulp of coffee and the newspaper.
“Oh! I found it now. I can be a nanny. I’d be perfect. Listen to this, Ralph, Nanny needed to care for our three children. Applicant must love children, be able to play and yet maintain proper boundaries. Applicant must also follow our schedule and explicit written directions.
Ralph had the audacity to roll his eyes at me.
“What does that eye roll mean?”
“Honey. Well children aren’t really your thing. “
“What do you mean they ‘aren’t my thing’. I love children. I love playing with them, reading to them, doing children things.”
“But love, you told me children make you nervous. You don’t teach children’s church or Sunday school because of the children. Your phobia is to children. How are you going to take care of them if you are afraid of them?”
“But, but, I can change. You never know I may wake up tomorrow and love them. Besides I read in the Bible just the other day that Jesus ‘did not give me a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’ And ‘perfect love casts out fear.’ So see, Hon, no worries. I’ll be great.” I was trying to convince myself as much as I was him.
“I just think you should still look. Listen, I need to finish getting ready for work.” He fairly skipped from the room as I reached again for my coffee cup. I took a sip of my now cold coffee and promptly spit it out. I hoisted myself from the chair and refilled my cup. “Hot coffee. Now that is blissful living. To bad I can’t get a job as a coffee tester. Ralph wouldn’t be able to say anything about that job, except, ‘babe it’s right up your alley.’ I might as well continue reading, there just has to be a job in here tailor made for me.” I picked up the paper and my pencil.
The words jumped out at me, right by coffee I’d spilled in getting up. “Book Reviewer! If you love books and love to read, have we got the job for you. We supply the books and you supply the time. All you need is a love of reading and the ability to write a review. Interested? Call Cynthia at 555-3489.”
‘HONEY!” I yelled as loud as I possibly could. “Come here! I’ve found it. I found my job!”
I jumped a foot when I heard his voice in my ear, “You needn’t shout. I’m right here.”
“Good listen to this!” I quickly read the ad to him and awaited his response with bated breath.
“Reading books? Honey, I think you’ve found it!”
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