Saturday, March 26, 2011

First Step


Maureen thumbs through the spring catalog of extension classes. Her supervisor has recommended the certificate program in business. Less tedious than a degree, one night a week for four years, she can learn the basics of bookkeeping, how to work well with others, even a little accounting. Having the certificate might lead to a promotion, a little more money. The company will even pay for her books.

Her attention drifts to travel agent classes. She imagines sitting in a sun-filled office, surrounded by bright posters of Hawaii, the South Sea Islands, arranging trips for excited couples. At least once or twice a year she herself will go off on practically free trips, stay in luxury hotels, board elegant cruise ships that dock each Thursday in Long Beach harbor.

She’ll have new luggage, of course, filled with just the right clothes for each destination. And hats, large brimmed ones, a straw sunhat with one perfect yellow daisy attached to the band. There will be parties, friendships made and renewed. And maybe even one special friend, a quiet shy man who is also looking for someone to share walks along sandy beaches and piƱa coladas under shaggy palapas.

Flipping back to the business certificate program, Maureen circles the date and location of the first class and begins to fill out the registration form.