NINE TIME MACHINES: Do you want to undo your entire life on planet earth?

CHAPTER 22

I still can't believe I've lived in Leer Island for four years and haven't settled down. Never mind the fact that my mother died leaving me penniless and unprepared for life. Everything can't be on her. Maybe some of my problems came because I made the wrong choices. Pete, secluding myself from the past, leaving jobs on a whim; and all of it influenced by emotion. But now everything has come full circle. So this time I've got to lock emotions off and really think about my future. If only that worked for the likes of me. I switch from my stuffy room to the oval room downstairs. Thankfully, Hazel isn't there to rain on my parade. Now I can really focus.

Let's see. What jobs have I run through before? The bank. Then there was that short stint at the service station and burger joint, back when I almost joined that religion – Dream Killers, as I call them; a name they got after making my office clerk job unbearable, forcing me to leave it and take my rightful place next to the congregation's women, so I could save lives. That unforgettable experience chased me into the church. No; not for worship, just to keep the aisles and pews sparkling clean. And I did such a good job that Father Paul recommended me for the bank. It was supposed to be my moment to settle down and enjoy life. Now I'm standing back at the starting line feeling like I never even moved an inch.

Five ads jump out at me; two office clerk positions at the library, and High School; a cashier position at the post office; an assistant at the museum and an accounts clerk position at Leer University. Let's leave the other thirteen places on ice in case I mess up again. I email my resume and cover letter off to each one, just changing company names and addresses on the cover letter, and then head back upstairs. The library book is sprawled open on my dresser. Every time I start to read it, I hear fingernails scratching a board. But never let it be said that Mary Pethiel left a book unread. I tiptoe upstairs to see if they forgot the roof door open again. Great! Finally, a reason to smile. Let's see if I can break a new record at speed reading.