Cranberry Red: A Novel

10. New Job?

How’d your lunch meeting go?” Beth Wesley asked when Ben returned home that afternoon. “Okay,” Ben said. He tossed his cap on the chair by the door. “So, what’d the woman from Osborne University want? She knew you’d been fired, didn’t she?” “Yup, she knew that,” Ben said. “Well, what’d she want?” “Wanted to talk about a position they have open at Osborne University.” “What kind of position?” Beth had that irritated tone to her voice that she sometimes got when Ben seemed to be avoiding giving her a straight answer. “It’s called a research application specialist.” “Well, what about it? She offer you a job?” Beth said it half joking, as she was quite confident that it would take weeks for Ben to find new work, maybe months. There just weren’t many jobs available for people with Ben’s qualifications. “She did offer me a job. Osborne wants me to be one of their research application specialists.” “Really?” Beth began to smile. “Yes.” “What kind of salary—more than the Wal-Mart job?” 42 New Job? 10 43 New Job? “Yup, quite a bit more than the Wal-Mart job.” “So, how much?” “Twice what I’m making as an agricultural agent.” “Twice!” Beth exclaimed. “Twice as much as you make now?” “Yeah, that’s what Dr. Phillips said. I haven’t seen the offer in writing yet.” “You sure you heard right?” “I heard right. She said I’d earn twice my salary, plus I’d also get a percentage of my consulting fees, part of what I make for giving speeches, and a portion of the money I take in for selling Osborne bulletins. “Well, I hope you said ‘yes.’” “She said I had a week to think about it.” “You didn’t say ‘yes’ right on the spot? Why not?” “Beth, you don’t say ‘yes’ to a job offer without thinking about it.” “Ben, Ben, Ben. In less than two weeks, you are a man without a job, and you’re playing hard to get.” “I gotta talk to Lars about this, see what he thinks. Should talk to Shotgun Slogum, too. Then I’ll do some thinking.” “For heaven’s sake, Ben, what’s to think about? Osborne University is offering you a plum position, and you have to think about it? That’s been your problem all along. You just don’t move fast enough.” “I’ve got to think about this, Beth. I never charged fees for my work before,” Ben said. “Osborne wants me to charge people for my advice.” “Geez, Ben, isn’t it about time you started charging people? People come to the hospital; we don’t treat them for free.” “It’s not the same, Beth. The hospital is not like a farm or a cranberry bog.” “Same principle applies. You want something, a new idea, a new way of doing something, you plunk down your money for it. What’s the difference between a farmer with a sick corn plant and a mother with a sick child? The mom has to pay; why shouldn’t the farmer?” “I just don’t know,” Ben said. “Don’t know about this new job.” “What are you afraid of ? For heaven’s sake, call this Dr. what’s-hername and tell her you’ll take the job.” “It’s just not that easy, Beth. I can’t jump into this willy-nilly. Wouldn’t be right.” “Good God, Ben. Here we are, soon out of money and you’re worried about making the right decision. If somebody offered me twice the money I was making, I sure wouldn’t waste any time saying ‘yes.’” “I expect you wouldn’t,” Ben said under his breath. He picked up the newspaper and settled into his chair. 44 New Job? ...