I walk along the river, drinking my super-sized travel mug full of coffee. It’s Monday morning and I’m on my
way to work. I got back from New York late last night after a delayed flight and a mishap with the luggage
carousel that meant I didn’t get back to my apartment until after midnight.
Now that I’m back in Austin, sle
Ep d eprived and very close to broke, the dream job feels a lot more
aspirational than it did when I was in New York. I’m exhausted. And my bank account is not thanking me for the
small amount of shopping I couldn’t say no to, or my nights out in Manhattan with Emma.
How am I even going to afford New York? is the question that’s bouncing around inside my brain.
Maybe my fantasy of living and working in New York City is exactly that: a fantasy. Maybe I should be
content with the job I have now and stick to my original plan of seeing it out for at least a year. At least that way I
could save some money. Then again, I haven’t managed to save much yet even though I’ve been working at Stellar
Investments for a while now.
I’m almost at work when my phone buzzes in my bag. I pull it out. It’s an unknown caller. “Hello?” “Dusty,
it’s Penelope Callahan here, HR Director at Invested Enterprises. How are you this morning?”
“I’m... fantastic, thank you.” Aside from the fact that my heart feels like it’s about to thump right out of my
chest because there’s really only one
reason you’d be calling me. “So nice to hear from you.”
“I have good news. Noah and Evan and I met with the CEO and COO. We were very impressed not only with
your resumé, but also how you came across in the interview. We like your drive and your vision. You really stood
out from the crowd.”
“I did?” “Yes. We think you’ll be a perfect fit for the team.” “Really?” Holy shit. “I got the job?” “We’d love
for you to start at the beginning of next month. Will that work for you?”
Today is the fifteenth. “Yes. I’ll... I’ll give my notice today.” “Wonderful. I’ll send you an email with your
contract and all the information you’ll need about your move. As discussed, we’ll cover all your travel expenses,
and we have a travel agent who will reach out to you within the next day or so about flights. There’s a ten thousand
dollar stipend for shipping any belongings you’d like to move, which will be d eposited into your account as soon
as you’ve signed the contract. If you need more than that for your move, that can also be discussed.”
“N-no,” I stutter. “That will be more than enough.” All I have is one suitcase. Maybe two at a stretch. “You’ll
also receive a signing bonus of twenty thousand dollars.” I can’t even respond to that. Did she just say twenty
thousand dollars? “For housing, we’ve been able to accommodate you in the East Building. You’ll have a
furnished one-bedroom apartment on the twelfth floor. The building itself is newly renovated and it’s connected to
the main office building by a glass Sky Walk. You won’t even need to go outside for your commute.”
“Wow,” I gasp. “You’ll also have a company credit card, a clothing allowance and an entertainment
allowance. The building has a heated pool, gym and spa, as well as a rooftop garden, and these amenities are all
included for employees. We have an extremely comprehensive health insurance package, also included. And our
retirement and investment plans are award-winning. We were written up in Forbes last month for our innovative
approach,” she says proudly. “My email will contain information about all of the above, but please let me know if
you have any questions as you read through the job description. I’m here to help.”
“Thank you.” I realize my face is wet. From my own tears. “Does that mean you’d like to acc ept the job?”
“Yes. Absolutely yes.” This is literally more than a dream come true. With everything Invested Enterprises is
offering me, I’ll be able to help my mom and sister out even more and, since I’ll have next to no expenses other
than food, I’ll really be able to save money for the first time in my life.
“Thank you so much, Ms. Callahan.” “Please, call me Penelope. Your email is on its way. We’re hoping to
receive your signed contract as soon as you’ve had a chance to read through everything. How’s Wednesday?”
“Wednesday is perfect.” “Fantastic, Dusty. Welcome to Invested Enterprises.”