Post by Jessica E. Mathis on Aug 23, 2016 10:27:14 GMT -6
Baltimore's Thurgood Marshall airport is busy. It's a Monday night and travelers are hustling to and fro. Sitting in a calm eye in the shifting storm of humanity, looking a bit travel worn, is Jessica Mathis. She sits on a bench in the middle of a gate. There are a couple of other people there as well, but it looks to be a sparse flight. The LED sign over the door proclaims the flight as one to Charleston, South Carolina. Jessica nods, listening to a voice on the other end of her cell phone.
Jessica Mathis: "I agree, Robert. It could have been worse. Ryan said they did see potential, and that was the main reason they wanted to extend me to a one year contract. Still developmental, so they have the ability to terminate at their choice, but at least they're giving me a chance."
She leans back, crossing her left arm over her chest, the right hand holding the phone to her ear. Near her left leg, a carry-on size rolling suitcase, not surprisingly in silver and pink, awaits her attention. After a few words from her trainer, she lets out a soft sigh.
Jessica Mathis: "It was unnerving, that's what it was. Meeting in a hotel conference room. Not the way I figured I'd get to see the Johns Hopkins campus. I'm not quote smart end quote enough to ever get into the school there, but I thought I'd at least have gotten a perspective student tour. Instead I'm going to be working outdoors, same field that they play Field Hockey and Lacrosse on."
Jessica pauses a moment and laughs, loudly. The others sitting at her gate turn a curious, or annoyed, look toward her as if she had just shouted a profanity, repeatedly, in a crowded movie theater. She doesn't see them.
Jessica Mathis: "Never thought of it that way. Ryan said it would be another fatal four way match. Get to see if I can do better than I did last time. The last two times. This little vacation was good, but I'm ready to get back to business, so to speak."
She pauses, listening to Robert Keyhome's wisdom, or lack there of, on the phone. A moment later, an announcement is made, her flight is boarding.
Jessica Mathis: "I'll call you when I'm in Charleston. Thanks again. For everything."
She disconnects the call with a beep and stands up, grabbing the handle of her little rollie bag. She pulls her ticket from the pocket of her hip-hugging jeans and offers it at the boarding counter. The stewardess nods and motions to the now open door, through which Jessica passes, humming to herself....
Jessica Mathis: "I agree, Robert. It could have been worse. Ryan said they did see potential, and that was the main reason they wanted to extend me to a one year contract. Still developmental, so they have the ability to terminate at their choice, but at least they're giving me a chance."
She leans back, crossing her left arm over her chest, the right hand holding the phone to her ear. Near her left leg, a carry-on size rolling suitcase, not surprisingly in silver and pink, awaits her attention. After a few words from her trainer, she lets out a soft sigh.
Jessica Mathis: "It was unnerving, that's what it was. Meeting in a hotel conference room. Not the way I figured I'd get to see the Johns Hopkins campus. I'm not quote smart end quote enough to ever get into the school there, but I thought I'd at least have gotten a perspective student tour. Instead I'm going to be working outdoors, same field that they play Field Hockey and Lacrosse on."
Jessica pauses a moment and laughs, loudly. The others sitting at her gate turn a curious, or annoyed, look toward her as if she had just shouted a profanity, repeatedly, in a crowded movie theater. She doesn't see them.
Jessica Mathis: "Never thought of it that way. Ryan said it would be another fatal four way match. Get to see if I can do better than I did last time. The last two times. This little vacation was good, but I'm ready to get back to business, so to speak."
She pauses, listening to Robert Keyhome's wisdom, or lack there of, on the phone. A moment later, an announcement is made, her flight is boarding.
Jessica Mathis: "I'll call you when I'm in Charleston. Thanks again. For everything."
She disconnects the call with a beep and stands up, grabbing the handle of her little rollie bag. She pulls her ticket from the pocket of her hip-hugging jeans and offers it at the boarding counter. The stewardess nods and motions to the now open door, through which Jessica passes, humming to herself....
