Miss Worth While

Family

JAX

The library was uncharacteristically large for a library. Modern, newly renovated and not smelling like old pages at all, it looked and reeked expensive. Although, the owner was renowned to be filthy rich, having his hands in all sorts of pies that brought him a lot of profit. 

The Slater Library was a place that many College English students like myself wanted, very badly might I add, to be employed at. It strengthened your resume, had a great salary and showed the sort of character you had- intelligent and mature. 

All of the other applicants looked calm, serene and had a glint in their eyes that made me not so sure about my chances. English majors were all spineless ramblers? I don't think so. I wiped my slightly clammy palms on my dress pants, smoothing back any stray strands of hair that had come out of my slick ponytail.

"Jax Gilder?" 

I stood quickly, nodding to the older lady who called me. She gestured for me to enter a large room with high ceilings and timber polished floor. I walked alone to the man behind the desk, stopping short when I saw him. 

He was tall-even though he was sitting down I could see how tall his frame was, golden hair that was slicked back, a few greys scattered about, a straight roman nose and hazel eyes that had widened from behind glasses. The man was older, 40's 50's perhaps, but he looked like the male version of my mother. And was equally as good looking. 

"So you are her daughter" He murmured, probably not meaning for me to hear, but I had good ears. He gestured for me to sit down, still staring at me intently. "I am Thomas Gilder, the owner of this library. Normally, I don't interview applicants for jobs, but I happened to see you on the registry." The man who shared the same last name I did shook his head, his hazel gaze snapping back to my face. "You are the daughter of Jenna Gilder?" 

I nodded, hands clenching on my lap. How did he know this? My mother told me all her family were dead. Although, that was probably just another drunken rambling of hers that changed every week. I didn't listen to them after a while. 

Thomas paled, his eyes gaining a watery sheen to them. "I'm Jenna's brother. Her twin brother." 

He was my uncle. My uncle.My heart had stopped, but was now beating erratically in my chest, mom told me my whole family was dead. But my uncle was sitting right in front of me. Thomas went on, running a hand through his gelled hair. "I swear I didn't know about you, but I thought there might have been a chance considering her... profession-" 

I held up my hand, taking that huge piece of knowledge and placing it at the back of my mind. I needed to focus, and even though this revelation had nearly knocked me over, I was here for a job interview. And, I didn't want to talk about my mother. 

"Mr Gilder, I know this is a huge matter, I'm extremely surprised too, but I really need to have this job interview. Whenever you are free, we can talk more, but can we get back to the interview?" 

Thomas sat back, obviously surprised again. But he sat up and gave a small smile, like he was happy about something. "Good. Ok Miss Gilders, lets start this interview" 

He was intelligent and thorough that's for sure, which was to be expected of someone from his background. Everytime I gave an answer he was just as quick with another question, a constant volley of Q and A. Some of the questions seemed strange for a job interview, but what could I say, he was the owner. And my uncle. 

Thomas sat back, a large grin on his face. "You've been the best candidate I've had today, well rounded, an intellectual and obviously quick witted. I'd like to hire you Miss Gilders"