Read Online On Grace by Susie Orman Schnall - Free Book Online Page B

She’s so excited about her fledgling business and proudly tells me about her first two clients. When she asks me if I’m thinking about going back to work (Callie and I spent hours when our kids were little talking about the whole stay-at-home vs. working-mom issue), I tell her about the column I had been hired to write for the Westchester Weekly and how I lost that job before it even started.
    “I can’t believe I didn’t think of you!” Callie exclaims, turning away from me toward the other women at the table.
    “Think of me for what?” I ask, startled by her outburst.
    “Nicole,” Callie says to the woman across the table and to her left. “Are you still looking for someone for that email job?”
    Of all the women in the group, Nicole seemed the most genuinely happy to welcome a newbie to their coffee klatch. I remember seeing her in class and noticing her long, auburn hair and strong arms; she was in the front row and did the poses effortlessly and elegantly. I actually watched and copied what she did because Willow would often just call out the pose and walk around the class helping pathetic beginners like me. Now, Callie was getting up from her seat, saying something I couldn’t hear to Nicole, and insisting that Nicole sit next to me.
    “So, you’re a writer?” Nicole asks me, exchanging steaming mugs of tea across the table with Callie.
    “Well, I was one in my past life, but, yes, I guess, technically I am a writer.” Way to be confident, Grace , I think. “What was Callie talking about?”
    “I own an Internet company called Well in Westchester . It’s an advertising-supported online magazine filled with health and wellness content, social networking, an events calendar, listings, etc. Our new venture is creating a weekly email blast of short-form health and wellness content, and I’m looking for a freelancer to spearhead the project.” Nicole wraps her hands around her steaming mug and smiles at me. Nice people make me so happy.
    “Wow, that sounds really interesting!” I say excitedly, taking a sip of my mint tea that’s made with fresh mint leaves instead of a tea bag.
    “I told these ladies about the job last Friday, hoping one of them might know someone. I’ve placed ads, but it’s always nicer to hire someone through a personal recommendation. And I don’t know if you just heard what Callie told me about you, but it was quite a recommendation!”
    Nicole and I spend the next half hour discussing the job and my experience. She says the emails will be about things such as a new yoga studio in the county, holistic suggestions for the changing of seasons, farmer’s market recipes, etc. The job really appeals to me as it brings me back to my roots in health and fitness media, it’s part time but enough time, and it might even motivate me to get in better shape and take better care of myself.
    “Why don’t we do this,” Nicole says. “Here’s my card. Over the weekend email me your resume and some clips of your past work, and we’ll take it from there. I have a couple other people I’m talking to, but I’m planning on making a decision by the end of next week.”
    Nicole hands me her card, shakes my hand, and gets up to leave, saying she’s got to get to the office. She had told me that she always blocks out Friday mornings for yoga and a quick tea with this group before she heads to work. Sure sounds like the type of boss I’d like to have! I finish my tea and get up to leave, too.
    “Bye, Grace,” Callie says, coming over to give me a big hug. “How did that go with Nicole?” While Nicole and I were talking, I had seen Callie glancing at us like a protective father spying on his daughter’s first date, not wanting to be caught staring too intently but ready to pounce at the first sign of trouble.
    “Great! Thank you so much for making that connection. It could be a perfect opportunity for me. Hopefully, I’ll see you next Friday at yoga. It was so good to catch