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she’ll cook that squash with sugar and spice?” Joanne said. “Because that would be ‘nice.’ Five bucks says she does.”
    â€œNo bet. She will do that, for sure. Niceness is her thing. Her niche.”
    â€œPoor her then,” Joanne said and went upstairs to prepare her classes.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    T he following Monday, I got an email from a guy named Andrew, the assistant to the regional director. It said:
    Hi Stephanie:
    The RD asked me to contact you about your interest in training videos. I’ve checked with the training department and they’d like to see some footage. Could you put together a 5-minute video of yourself walking and talking in close-ups and long shots and email it to me for passing on? You could shoot it at your store before opening one day.
    Thanks!
    Andrew
    That night Nathan was off work, so he came over for a pasta dinner cooked by Joanne. Once we’d sat down, I told them about the email.
    â€œSo they want me to make a video,” I said. “Like an audition.”
    Joanne served some pasta into a dish and passed it to me. “That’s great, Steph! Maybe the job isn’t such a dead end after all. But why didn’t you tell me about this training video idea earlier? When it first came up?”
    I inhaled the scents of lemon and chicken coming off the plate and passed it to Nathan. “Because I knew you’d be overly interested and ask too many questions.”
    Nathan said, “Be nice, Steph.”
    Joanne said, “Okay, here’s a question: Where are you supposed to get a video camera?”
    â€œI know a guy who has a camera I could borrow,” Nathan said. “I could do the filming. And edit it on my computer. I took a film course once and learned how.”
    Joanne gave me my dish. “It doesn’t seem right that you have to make the video yourself. When it was the boss’s idea that you try out.”
    â€œThat’s how jobs are these days, Joanne,” Nathan said. “You want something, you have to go after it. Make it happen.”
    â€œThese days?” Joanne said.
    â€œSorry, but it’s true. Times have changed since you were young. This is great pasta, by the way. I’m loving the rapini in it. And the pine nuts.”
    â€œI’m glad you like it. And thanks for pointing out I’m not young anymore.” She smiled to show that she wasn’t really pissed off and turned to me. “You know what you could do? Make it like a music video. Sing as you walk through the store.” To the tune of “Good Vibrations,” she sang, “Tee, Tee, Tee-ee, Tee-shirts and jee-eans.”
    Nathan laughed. I didn’t. “I won’t sing. I’ll talk,” I said. “I’ll say what I say when I train new staff. I’m not going to make a big production out of it. If they like what they see, good. If they don’t, they don’t.”
    Nathan took out his phone. “So when do you want to do this? I should text my guy about the camera.”
    â€œHow about Wednesday morning before opening? We’d have to get there early though, like at eight thirty.”
    He started texting. “I can do early. If you buy me an extra-large coffee on the way in.”
    â€œWhat about hair and makeup and wardrobe?” Joanne said. “Who’s going to do that?”
    â€œI will.” I already knew what I’d wear— some new work-type clothes that had come into the store that day. Something grown-up.
    â€œI wish I could help,” Joanne said. “You can’t shoot the video on a weekend day when I’m available?”
    â€œWe’ll be better off without you, Mom. You know what they say about too many cooks.” Nathan kicked me under the table, so I said, “Thanks for the offer though.”
    â€œOkay, but Nathan, be sure to shoot Steph from flattering angles. Make her look good.”
    â€œThat’ll be easy. Steph