Looking at a map, she settled on the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, which was yet another place in Tucson she’d never been that everyone said was beautiful. She hopped in the Acura and headed in the direction of the Santa Catalina Mountains, navigating toward the north side of town. After winding her way through the opulent neighborhoods in the foothills, she arrived at the Visitor Center. She spent some time reading about the plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert before walking up the main road. Feeling virtuous for opting not to wimp out and ride the tram, Beth strolled along, taking in the mountain views as she traversed the stone bridges that crossed Sabino Creek. It was a beautiful day and after two weeks of cold, snow, and rain, the sun felt wonderful. Walking also seemed to help her think. Whatever she did next needed to include getting off the management track. Supervising employees was too stressful for her and not going to daily meetings anymore had been utter bliss. Figuring out what she didn’t want to do felt like a good first step anyway.
She returned home and checked her messages. Naturally, Drew had called when she was out, but she smiled at his slow drawl. Just the sound of his voice made her feel less anxious. She tried calling back and listened to the phone ring seventeen times before giving up.
With a sigh, she turned on her computer. Time to send A.J. a little reminder e-mail to buy an answering machine, for heaven’s sake. This was getting absurd. She checked her e-mails and found that her adviser Deb had replied. She’d had a cancellation and could talk to Beth the next day. Talking to her adviser was always enjoyable because Deb had an irreverent sense of humor that often included jibes related to being one of the only women in a male-dominated field.
Beth clicked on the next e-mail in the list, which was from an address she didn’t recognize. Her mouth dropped open at the contents of the e-mail. Apparently the person Joan had contacted wanted to talk to Beth. A Seattle firm had an opening for a job managing a user-interface design team for a company that created enterprise database software. Beth was quite familiar with the company, Prophecy, because a number of its products competed with some of RTP’s software lines.
Beth leaned back in her chair, mentally composing a reply. Joan had given the hiring manager Beth’s name and some information about what she did at RTP. Now he wanted to talk to her as soon as possible. Because of new Internet requirements, the company was growing at an astronomical rate.
Beth knew that in the technology realm, the Seattle area was up and coming. It was in the middle of an economic boom, thanks to the growth of companies related to the personal computer and Internet industries, so Seattle was becoming the Silicon Valley of the Northwest. She had read that both wages and job opportunities were at an all-time high. It would be exciting to be in the middle of all that innovation. Working for a software company instead of a defense contractor had a lot to recommend it too.
Beth couldn’t wait to tell Drew. Maybe all her worrying would be for nothing and this job would just fall into place like it had with RTP. She stretched her arms out in front of her and then settled into composing a reply that would impress the entire Prophecy human-resources staff.
The next day Beth went to her eye doctor and ordered new contact lenses. It would be such a relief to have peripheral vision again. Since she had a glimmer of hope that she might become a member of the workforce soon, she also ordered new glasses that weren’t so uncomfortable. They still had thick lenses, but the manufacturing technology had improved and the eye doctor assured her they would not be as heavy as her old ones.
The next stop was the University of Arizona for her meeting with Deb. She walked along the familiar grassy area past the student union and the library, working her way toward the computer science buildings. She knocked on the open door of Deb’s office and smiled.
Deb was on the phone, but waved Beth into the office, indicating that she should take the chair across the desk from her. Beth sat down and looked around the familiar office as her adviser finished up the conversation. The walls were like a computer museum, with a decor that included a flower made of old punch-cards and a clock created using a platter from a huge mainframe hard disk. Deb liked to tell stories about how, when those big disks crashed, you could tell because there was a peculiar burning smell. According to the now-legendary tale, the clock platter had contained important data before it went out in a particularly inopportune and noxious way.
Deb ran her fingers through her short, pixie haircut and stuck her tongue out at the phone. Beth giggled. Her adviser had been teaching at the university for a long time and had more than once expressed her contempt for some of the infantile behavior of her fellow professors. Deb finally hung up the phone and raised her eyebrows at Beth. “Sorry about that. More departmental wrangling. But welcome to my humble abode. How is my number-one usability geek? I have missed receiving your impassioned rants about functional user-interface design in my e-mail inbox.”
“Is this a bad time?”
“No. You probably know all about it already, since your favorite professor is in the middle of it.”
Beth shook her head. “That’s unlikely. Since I’m no longer involved with Graham, I’m gloriously unaware of current university intrigue and hearsay.”
Deb leaned forward and folded her hands on the desk. “That’s a surprise.”
“Recently, I came to the conclusion that my relationship choices have not been what you might call ideal. It became evident that he wasn’t the person I thought he was. And that he’d never change. I only wish I’d acknowledged that sooner. Much sooner.”
“You were awfully young, Beth. And he’s quite a charmer.”
“That’s kind of you to say. I’m just glad those years are behind me now. I feel a little foolish for willfully ignoring the problem for so long, but it’s time for me to move forward.”
Deb raised her eyebrows. “On that note, I assume you’re here because you want to talk about your PhD.”
“I do. I’m sorry I had to drop my classes. As I explained in my e-mail, RTP laid me off and then I went to visit my mother in my hometown. Then I went back to take care of her bookstore while she was on a trip. It was all a bit complicated.”
“You’ve sure been busy since you left RTP. How can I help?”
Beth shook her head. “I’m not sure what to do.”
Deb unfolded her hands and turned her palms up. “Well Beth, what do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. What good will a PhD do me outside of RTP? Technology changes so quickly that an advanced degree in computer science seems pointless. And I might have a lead on a job in Seattle.” Beth shrugged. “It’s unlikely, but my supervisor at RTP told someone at Prophesy about my qualifications. They might be interested.”
Deb grinned. “That’s wonderful, Beth. They’d be fools not to hire you!”
“I think it could be a great professional opportunity. But it’s in management. And I’d have to move and probably sell my house. That’s upsetting too. I love my house. And then I’d undoubtedly never finish my PhD, which is also distressing. I’m so close to being done.” Beth slumped in the chair and gazed down at her sandals. “I’m just extremely confused.”
“Only you can decide what you want, Beth. How are you doing on your dissertation?”
Beth grimaced. “I finished the research, so at this point it is mostly the writing aspect, which I had difficulties getting to because of work. The long hours at RTP were exhausting. But all my research data is on my computer. I just need to write the dissertation, and of course take those last couple of classes. Then do the oral defense of the dissertation. All of that would be challenging if I were in a different state. Thus, my conundrum.”
“Beth, it seems like you have a lot to think about. If you want me to take a look at what you have so far on your dissertation, I can. Or if you want to drop out of the program, you should let me know that too.”
“I know. I’m sorry I’m in such an unsettled state. This isn’t like me at all.”
Deb stood
up and started gathering up her notebooks. “That’s for sure. But maybe it’s a good thing in the long run. You might love working at Prophesy just as much as you did at RTP. In any case, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Right now, I’ve got to run to a meeting. Let me know what you decide to do.”
Beth left the office and walked slowly down the hall. It was silly to think that her adviser would have all the answers, and that Beth would suddenly magically know what to do. But she still felt unaccountably let down by the conversation. She’d always told everyone how much she loved her job at RTP. But now she found that she was enjoying not being there a lot more than she’d expected. Maybe talking to Drew would help. It always did. She missed him terribly—the constant dull ache of his absence was distracting and the struggles to reach him were vexing.
Beth was torn from her ruminations by the sound of angry male voices in front of her in the hallway. Graham and Gerald Hearst, the head of the department, were speaking loudly, and given the body language, it looked like they might actually come to blows. Beth wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. Nothing good could come from meeting Graham here. She slowed her pace. Should she turn around and pretend she didn’t see them?
Graham glanced quickly in her direction and pointed at her. He shouted, “This is all your fault!”
Beth took a few steps backward, shaking her head. “Graham, I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Dismissing his prior conversation with a backward wave, he strode purposefully toward Beth until he was uncomfortably close. Leaning toward her, he said in an angry whisper, “You hacked into my computer didn’t you? Only you have the skills to do that. No one else who has been in my house could have possibly done it.”
For a moment, Beth couldn’t decide if she was embarrassed or angry. Anger won out, and she scowled at him. “Graham, I have never touched your computer. Given your recreational activities, I certainly don’t want to know what visual data you might have stored on it.”
He shook his finger at her. “Aha! You wouldn’t say that if you hadn’t done what I know you did.”
Beth pushed her glasses up to the bridge of her nose. “I have no idea what you are talking about. I’ve been out of town for two weeks. And in point of fact, the last time I saw you, we were at my house, not yours.”
“It could have been a while ago. And then you just got around to e-mailing the pictures, you vindictive, malicious little shrew. You waited until now, since you knew I was up for tenure again.”
Beth waved her hands in front of her face. “Get away from me, Graham. I have nothing to do with any of this. Consider interrogating a few of your vast array of female companions.” She turned, stepped around him, and went down the hall, passing Gerald and averting her eyes so he wouldn’t see the angry tears welling in her eyes. Whatever Graham had done, it was certainly his own fault. Maybe moving to Seattle wouldn’t be so bad. There was far too much drama here and she just wanted to be done with it.
Beth was fuming as she walked across the campus toward the parking garage. She got into the Acura and took a roundabout way home, going north, then east, shooting down the windy curves of River Road through the Catalina foothills. She opened the sunroof and let the relaxing warmth soothe her frazzled nerves. Yes she had a temper, but being accused of something she’d never even consider doing was utterly unfair. Just because she knew about technology, it didn’t mean she was a hacker. He had a lot of nerve.
When she got home she checked her messages and found that Drew had not called. Maybe he’d sent an e-mail. And Deb was right—Beth needed to take a serious look at her dissertation research again. After she turned on her computer, she found an e-mail from the HR department at Prophesy. They wanted to set up a phone interview with her the next day. Her heart pounded in her chest. This job could really happen. Maybe this opportunity would be the next step in her new life.
The phone rang and Beth jumped to answer it. Drew must be calling back. Finally! She picked up the phone and a deep male voice said, “Hello Beth. It’s your father.”
Beth paused for a moment, attempting to reorient her mind to this information. She hadn’t talked to him in months. “Dad. This is a surprise. How are you?”
“I’m just calling to see how you are doing. I had a nice chat with your mother the other day and she said you helped with the store when she went on her cruise. That was very kind of you, dear.”
“Um. Thanks. It wasn’t a big deal. She probably told you I lost my job.”
“Yes. I’m sorry about that. But I know you’ll find another. You’re smart and a hard worker. Any company would be lucky to have you.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Her father cleared his throat. “So, ah, well, I am going to be attending a conference in Phoenix next month. And I was hoping that I might be able to see you.”
Beth twisted her necklace. “Really? Oh. I guess I’ll be here. Well, um. Okay, yes, sure, that would be fine. I could drive up there. Or…or you could come here. Whatever you think is best. You have never seen my house. It’s not much, but it’s mine.”
“You mother has told me about it. It sounds great, dear. Maybe I can buy you lunch or something. You decide what you feel comfortable with and let me know, okay?”
“Sure, Dad.”
Her father gave her some details about his trip to Phoenix and they ended the call. Beth gazed at the phone as if it were an oracle that might reveal powerful insights. Her parents had gotten over their issues with one another years ago. Maybe Jill was right and she should too.
Beth tried calling Drew, who was either out or in the process of disappearing again. She had a bad feeling about the lack of communication from him. She sent him an e-mail and then replied to the Prophesy people, letting them know that she’d be delighted to talk to them about the position.
Unable to face the idea of looking at her dissertation, Beth shut down the computer. It had been a long and disturbing day. Tonight was going to be all about bad TV and junk food. Then exercise class tomorrow to make up for it.
The next morning, Beth returned from the class sweaty and exhausted. She heard the phone ringing as she opened the front door and ran to answer it. Out of breath, she gasped a feeble hello and smiled when she heard Drew say, “Dang, what happened to you?”
“Exercise class. I think the instructor was in the military. There’s a possibility I may expire right here in my living room.”
Drew chuckled. “I’m glad to hear that you are keeping your body in good shape. I’m pretty fond of it.”
“I’m so glad you called. I was starting to get worried. And I have so much I want to talk to you about. How are you?”
“I’m okay. Been better, but like they say, this too shall pass, and all that. And if it would ever stop raining, I’d be happier than a June bug. It’s gotta stop raining by June, right?”
Beth wiped the sweat off her forehead with her hand. “I hope so. I am not sure how happy a June bug is, but I’ll take your word for it. Ugh. I need to sit down.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. I wish I could just take a nap, but I can’t talk long. I need to take a shower and then I have a phone interview.”
“That’s great. What’s the job?”
“It’s with Prophecy, a company that is a competitor of RTP’s in the database arena.”
There was a pause and Drew said, “Yeah, I’ve heard of them. Aren’t they in Seattle?”
“Yes! There are a countless technology businesses springing up there, but Prophesy has been around for many years. It’s an established company, but they are growing rapidly because of the Internet.”
“Sounds great.”
“I don’t know yet, but it could be an exciting opportunity. I also talked to my adviser about my PhD.”
“Are you gonna go for it, after all?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Drew.” Beth waved her hand in exasperation. “I’m so confused. I thought talking to my adviser would help. But it
didn’t. And then Graham was in the hall and he yelled at me. It was just awful. He called me a shrew and accused me of doing something horrible. I was so upset.”
“Did you get angry?”
“Well, yes, I guess. But he was so nasty today. And I didn’t do anything. I would never touch his stupid computer. There are thirty-thousand people wandering around the University of Arizona—why did I have to run into him?”
“Just lucky, I suppose.”
“It’s like meeting you at the reunion. I never dreamed you’d come. But I’m so glad you did. It was like a miracle. Like when you asked me to the prom. What were the odds?”
“Well, yeah, I suppose.”
Beth giggled “In that case, statistically the odds were in your favor, since it’s not like dozens of people were clamoring for my attention.”
“I got that impression.”
The tone of Drew’s voice was oddly subdued, and suddenly Beth had to know. “So I have always been afraid to ask, but why did you ask me? Me, of all people?”
“That was all a long time ago, Beth.”
“I know. So what? Tell me.”
He sighed. “All right. I was standing around waiting in the lunch line and John and Tony were razzing me about how I had all these ladies after me and still wasn’t going to the senior prom. It was a stupid conversation and I wanted to get away from them, if you want to know the truth. Anyway, they said some kind of harsh, uh, stuff about you. I said they were wrong and then they dared me to ask you.”
Beth twisted the phone cord around her hand and clenched it in her palm. “You asked me on a dare? And you never bothered to mention this before? That’s like a movie or some abominable after-school special. How could you not tell me this?” Did everyone in high school know this, except her? How humiliating.
“It’s not a big deal. And it was way more fun than I ever thought it would be. You know that.”
Bark to the Future (An Alpine Grove Romantic Comedy Book 5) Page 21
