12
Present Day
Glen stared at me like I’d just turned down a million dollars for doing nothing more than writing a book report.
“What?” he asked, stunned.
“No,” I croaked, fully aware I was throwing away the best opportunity of my career thus far. Maybe even the best opportunity of my entire career, even if it lasted four decades. “Sorry.”
“You do understand what I’m offering you, right?”
“To write an article on Derek Kane.”
“And the band,” Glen stressed, as though that might be the piece of information I had overlooked.
“Yeah. No thank you.”
“Not just a half-page fluff piece – I’m talking a full-on, six-page spread. I mean, if you turn in a good enough story, we’re potentially talking the cover.”
“Yeah. Thank you, but no.”
The longer he stared at me, the more his disbelief turned to anger. “You do realize that is a one in a million offer, right? You don’t just get handed the cover of Rolling Stone – not when you’re some unknown writer a year out of college. I mean, you realize that, right?”
“Yes, and I’m really sorry, but I can’t do it.”
He sat there, his mouth hanging open. “Can I ask why?”
“There’s just… too much history there. Too many… raw wounds.”
He shook his head. “Most kids in your position would sell their f*cking soul for this chance.”
“Yeah, well…” I said, my voice trailing off. “Are there any other positions open I could interview for?”
“No,” he snapped. “This is it.”
“Oh… well, thank you for your time, anyway,” I said, and gathered my things and stood.
He stood up at the same time. His anger was quickly turning into the beginning stages of panic. “Wait – don’t you want to think about it? Give it some time to marinate – ”
“No,” I said, and forced a smile. “Thank you, though.”
“Just think about it!” he urged me.
“If I change my mind, I’ll call you,” I said as I opened the glass door to his office and backed out. “Thanks again. Sorry.”
Then I ran down the hallway as fast as I could, and dashed into the stairwell rather than wait for the elevator.
I was afraid he might come running after me.
I was even more afraid he might talk me into it.