It’s #BookQW and this ‘time’ Cor needs to get things right.
More from Chapter 1:
Master Harold held out the envelope.
Cor shouldn’t, but…a job Aunt Syl would agree to. He took it and pulled out the card, lighting his own fingers this time. He scanned where and when to report, attire to wear and duties. “Field trips?”
“Likely you’ll just have to fill in for what the sick gal was supposed to cover.” His boss shrugged.
Cor pretended to read it over again, but his mind rolled with the possibilities. He’d already researched the speakers, their home enclave tree species, their pet research projects. He’d have to prioritize who he’d most like to ask about internships. If only I don’t blow it.
“I might not get to those bonsai.”
“I will. Do me the honor of being on time and sticking to the duties they assign, not disappearing like you are wont to do. If I might suggest…”
Cor stuffed the card and envelope in his jacket pocket. “What?” He brushed a hand over the black leather. “I should color my clothes into something pretty?”
“Leave your leather armor at home for once.”
“You’ve been listening to Aunt Syl. I don’t wear it to put people off.” But it did. People looked at him, a black guy in black, and zipped their gazes away in disdain, rejecting him before even finding out anything about him. Cor glanced at his hand, the warm red-brown of sessile oak leaves in autumn compared to the sleeve’s true black. At least the jacket let him fade into the background when alone in a crowd, because when he was beside his dad, he was never overlooked.
“First impressions matter. Your docent uniform will be suitable. Consider toning down the jewelry. And try to smile. Like you’re happy to be there.”
No one needed to know if he was happy or not. Now that he had a legitimate way in, he simply had to say enough without being a show-off or bloody sappy. Too much was riding on his chance to get a real internship to mess it up by blurting how keen he was about trees.
~~~
Climb to dizzying heights in these ancient pines!
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