”My dad stepped forward to shake first Mr. Anderson’s hand and then Lexi’s. Everything was silent and I had visions of catastrophe playing behin... my eyes. Then Mom stepped into the breach.“Oh, the girls have told me so much about you both!” she said, ignoring Mr. Anderson in all but her comment and immediately hugging Lexi. “I feel like I’m meeting old friends. What an exciting time. Have you checked in? We’ve slated a late dinner so we can all go to the final match of the tournament. We should get along dandy. Now why do you believe I’m the right person to be your manager?’ It occurred to Marvin he should be conducting the interview, not the applicant. But perhaps he should let that continue because they were making good progress. ‘I own a ranch, I know next to nothing about ranching but my manager does but he’s leaving.’ ‘So either me or someone like me is vital to your ranch’s continuing viability?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘And how many applicants do you have?’ ‘Only you.’ ‘Well I happen. Seth. Pls call me. we need 2 talk. R., he read. "Melissa, check this out," he called to his officemate."What is it?" He showed her the screen. "What the ... Do you know whose number that is?"He shook his head. "Maybe the cell carriers recycle numbers and I got this poor bloke's old one." Are you going to text back and say it's a wrong number?" I'll see if any more come in," he replied. "Maybe it's just a fluke -- someone fat-fingered the number." He began working on the first assignment in his. My throat closed. My chest heaved. I choked back a new volley of tears. Even though he hadn't gotten what he wanted, the emotional trauma was still palpable. All the terror of the moment flowed back into me. I was out of control again. I cried. I cried for only a moment before the tears turned angry. I couldn't press charges; I wouldn't put myself through an investigation like that or risk getting my aunt—my legal guardian—in trouble and losing my independent living arrangement. I fumed. I.