【第一章】E03 外教版 | A full-time job offer

Chapter1 A full-time job offer 

“What are y'all laughing at?” Joe asked sternly.

The students gave him blank looks.

“So Connie got lost in it. That’s a good thing.” Joe walked over to the piano. Still talking, he began to play. “I remember one time, my dad took me to this jazz club. It was the last place I wanted to be. But then I see this guy playing the piano...” Joe ran his hands over the keys, riffing. “It’s like he’s singing. And I swear, the next thing I know, it’s like he floats off the stage. That guy was lost in the music. He was in it—and he took us with him. I wanted to learn how to talk like that. That’s when I knew I was born to play.”

He ended with a flourish, then turned to look at his students. “Connie knows what I mean. Right, Connie?”

Connie shrank in her seat. She looked like she wanted to disappear. “I’m twelve,” she said.

A knock at the classroom door interrupted the moment. “I’ll be right back. Practice your scales,” Joe told the class.

He stepped out into the hall. Ms. Arroyo, the school vice principal, was standing there. “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Gardner,” she said. “I wanted to deliver the good news personally.” She handed Joe a letter.

Joe opened it and scanned the contents. With a shock, he realized it was a full-time job offer—his first ever.

“No more part-time for you,” the vice principal said, beaming. “They finally cleared enough in the budget. You’re now our full-time band teacher! Job security. Medical benefits. Pension.” She looked at Joe expectantly.

“Wow. That’s ... great,” Joe managed.

Vice Principal Arroyo held out a hand for Joe to shake. “Welcome to the M.S. 74 family, Joe. Permanently.”

Joe forced himself to smile.