– The Lucky Break

As usual, I arrived early. The secretary—Charlene—was sitting at her desk, typing. A beautiful and very kind young woman, she would later become a colleague I deeply respected and cared for.

I said hello. She looked up, recognized me, and smiled. “You can have a seat,” she said. “Lester’s out for lunch but should be back soon.”

I sat down and looked around.

Unlike the hectic and noisy “belly of the beast” I’d left, this place was tranquil. Sunlight poured through large glass windows. People dressed sharply in office attire moved quietly in and out of offices. The atmosphere was calm, professional, and almost dreamlike.

Then I heard the door open. Charlene pointed me out and said, “That’s him.”

A man walked over and approached me. I stood up from the chair.

“Hi, I’m Lester Bond,” he said, offering his hand. “Everyone just calls me Lester.”

He led me into a nearby room and asked me to have a seat and wait for a few minutes. When he returned, he sat down and began flipping through my portfolio. After a few pages, he looked up, clearly impressed.

I like your work. Very impressive. Can you start on Monday?

Excitedly, I said, “Of course.”

“Great,” he continued. “And you don’t have to work for free — I’ll pay you $2.50 an hour. Full-time: 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, nine to five. Over time, work pay doubled.”

I nodded, feeling speechless.

He also mentioned that, for years, a high school girl had been doing this job until she left for college that summer. If she had stayed, he wouldn’t have needed anyone new—my lucky break.

“Feel free to stay and look around,” Lester said as he stood. “See you Monday at nine.” Then he walked off to his office.

I stayed for a few hours, tidying up the workroom some, already feeling like I was part of something. Before leaving, I thanked Charlene and Lester, then went to find Kathy and share the good news.

Back in Old Town Alexandria, I was excited. I kept thinking, “Lester Bond.” And I couldn’t help but chuckle—if his name had been “James Bond,” this story would’ve been too surreal. Straight out of Hollywood. LOL.

I stopped to pick up two roses and a couple of slices of cheesecake to celebrate. When I picked up Kathy, I handed her the flowers.

“What are these for?” she asked.

“For you,” I said with a grin. "I’ve got good news.”

I told her everything. “He liked my work and said, ‘You don’t have to work for free—I’ll pay you $2.50 an hour!’”

I expected her to be excited, but she became quiet.

I could tell she was a bit jealous, which was understandable. She had a 4.0 GPA, and I hadn’t even finished my two-year college program yet. But I let it go and focused on explaining the job.

Lester retired from a government job and started his own small business, which had a single contract with a nonprofit: National Park and Recreation, Inc. (P&R). They dedicated themselves to preserving and enhancing parks and recreational programs nationwide. He served as their in-house graphic arts department.

There was even a small two-color printing department on that same floor.

From September to February—fundraising season—things got really busy. But for now, I have landed a good-paying job—“To believe!”