My dad didn\u2019t choose you by accident. And it wasn\u2019t for my sake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stared at Georgia. \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She glanced toward the prom venue, then back at me. \u201cBrent, my dad\u2019s been watching you for months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My stomach tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWatching me do what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow you handle problems. How you treat people. Whether you lose your temper.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I frowned and immediately started sweating. \u201cWait, did I do something wrong? You\u2019d tell me if I did something to make him upset, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo. That\u2019s the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before I could ask another question, her phone buzzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia glanced at the screen and groaned. \u201cIt\u2019s Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She showed me the message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRemember our agreement. Don\u2019t make things too easy for him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGeorgia, what exactly did I agree to?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She sighed. \u201cSomething my father thinks is brilliant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d started working for Sheldon when I was 19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His company supplied restaurants and grocery stores with food packaging and cleaning products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I needed that job more than he probably realized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My mom, Denise, was raising my younger sister, Janelle, alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Money was always tight, so I gave Mom part of every paycheck for groceries, utilities, and whatever Janelle needed for school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I never showed up late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I never called out unless I absolutely had to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if Sheldon asked me to stay an extra hour, I did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Within a year, I\u2019d become the employee he trusted with everything from deliveries to closing up at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheldon was a decent boss, but he had strange habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He loved asking questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat would you do if a customer refused to pay an invoice?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat if two employees wanted the same day off?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat if a supplier delivered the wrong order?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d answer, and he\u2019d nod like he was grading an exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I assumed he was simply obsessed with running the business well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then one Friday afternoon, he called me into his office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI need a favor, Brent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He hesitated. \u201cMy daughter\u2019s prom is tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia was 18. I\u2019d seen her around the office a few times, but we barely knew each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe boy she was supposed to go with backed out,\u201d Sheldon continued. \u201cI want you to take her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought he was joking. \u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re responsible. I trust you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he added, \u201cDo this for me, and I\u2019ll make it worth your while.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought about Mom\u2019s broken washing machine and Janelle\u2019s worn-out school shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I knew that if my boss gave me extra money for being his daughter\u2019s date, it would make things a little easier for my mom and sister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheldon looked relieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost too relieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following evening, I borrowed my uncle Frank\u2019s car, put on my only suit, and drove to Sheldon\u2019s house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frank had warned me about the car. \u201cDon\u2019t touch the radio. It changes stations by itself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause it has personality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The car also squeaked whenever I turned left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I prayed Georgia wouldn\u2019t notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheldon met me at the door. \u201cBrent! You\u2019re early!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnly by five minutes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcellent!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My boss straightened my tie without asking. For some reason, he seemed more nervous than Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust make sure Georgia has a good night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd if anything unexpected happens, stay calm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I frowned. \u201cUh, what kind of unexpected thing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Right then, Georgia came downstairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looked beautiful, but the moment she saw me, her smile vanished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheldon immediately started taking pictures. \u201cStand closer!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We moved closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSmile!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia said almost nothing while her father took pictures and looked like she\u2019d been sentenced to three hours of accounting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The drive was painfully quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I tried asking my date about her friends, her favorite music, and whether she was excited about prom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia answered with a few words before turning toward the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eventually, I stopped trying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we reached the venue, I turned off the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell,\u201d I said, forcing a smile, \u201cI hope tonight won\u2019t be too terrible. I guess your dad really wanted you to go to prom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia didn\u2019t smile back. She opened her door but didn\u2019t get out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, she turned to me and looked me straight in the eyes. \u201cWait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s when she told me her father hadn\u2019t chosen me by accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And she showed me his strange message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stared at my date\u2019s phone. \u201cDon\u2019t make things too easy for him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia nodded. \u201cMy dad wants me to make tonight difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo see how you react.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I blinked. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe suggested I complain about everything. Make unreasonable requests. See whether you lose your patience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked toward the school. \u201cSo I\u2019m wearing borrowed shoes and driving a car that sounds like a shopping cart because your father wants to test my patience?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia suddenly burst out laughing. \u201cPretty much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoes he know there are easier ways to annoy me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBrent!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m serious. He could ask me to reorganize the warehouse again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My date laughed harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, her expression changed. \u201cI told him I wouldn\u2019t do it. It wasn\u2019t fair to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen why are we here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I still wanted to enjoy prom, and I thought you deserved to know what he was planning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I studied her. \u201cPlanning for what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia hesitated. \u201cThat\u2019s the part I can\u2019t explain yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I want you to hear it from him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I groaned. \u201cGeorgia, you\u2019re making this sound like I\u2019m about to inherit a castle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She smiled. \u201cNo castle. But you might be surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside, the gym was covered in balloons and lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia introduced me to her best friend, Madison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Madison grinned. \u201cSo you\u2019re Brent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I blinked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia rolled her eyes. \u201cMadison knows about Dad\u2019s little experiment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stared at them. \u201cWonderful. Does the DJ know too?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Madison laughed. \u201cNot yet!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We found our table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thirty minutes later, we were standing, and Georgia handed me her purse. \u201cHold this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I took it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, she handed me her phone. \u201cAnd this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then she handed me her drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked at her. \u201cIs this the test?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo. I\u2019m tying my shoe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She bent down, adjusted her heel, and stood up, laughing. \u201cYou\u2019re going to question everything I do tonight, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour father has destroyed my ability to recognize normal behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the next hour, Georgia teased me by pretending to make ridiculous demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She asked whether I could convince the DJ to play a song that didn\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She complained that the punch wasn\u2019t cold enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then she requested a chair facing exactly northwest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I finally said, \u201cGeorgia, I can offer north or west. The budget doesn\u2019t cover both.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Madison laughed so hard she nearly dropped her cupcake!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the first time all evening, I relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, a woman approached our table. \u201cBrent?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stood. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m Evelyn. Georgia\u2019s aunt. I\u2019m one of the chaperones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shook my hand. \u201cSo you\u2019re the young man Sheldon keeps talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I glanced at Georgia. \u201cHopefully, nothing terrible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Evelyn smiled. \u201cHe says you\u2019re excellent under pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I frowned. \u201cDoes everyone in your family discuss my job performance?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia covered her face. \u201cAunt Evelyn!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Evelyn laughed and walked away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about what she\u2019d said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later, Georgia and I stepped outside for some air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d I said. \u201cEnough games.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looked at me. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour dad keeps asking me strange, unexpected questions at work. He wants you to test me tonight. Your aunt apparently knows my entire employment history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia sighed. \u201cHe\u2019s been thinking about something important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, and?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSomething involving the company.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My stomach tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs he selling it?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAm I getting fired?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, calm down. It\u2019s definitely not that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen what, Georgia?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She hesitated. \u201cYou\u2019ll know soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I shook my head. \u201cYour family\u2019s exhausting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She laughed. \u201cImagine growing up with them!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before I could respond, Madison appeared. \u201cGeorgia! Group pictures!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My date grabbed my arm. \u201cCome on!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we walked inside, I noticed something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia had stopped acting annoyed with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever her father was planning, she seemed to be on my side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That made me feel slightly better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The photographer arranged us beneath a balloon arch. \u201cCouples, stand together!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia moved beside me. \u201cPut your arm around me,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hesitated. \u201cAnother test?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She rolled her eyes. \u201cBrent, it\u2019s a picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight. Sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The photographer raised his camera. \u201cSmile!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My phone buzzed a few seconds later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a text from Sheldon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEverything going smoothly?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I showed Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She grinned. \u201cTell him I\u2019m being difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I typed , \u201cGeorgia has requested a chair facing northwest. Negotiations are ongoing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheldon replied immediately. \u201cInteresting. How are you handling it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stared at the response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia peeked over and started laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I typed, \u201cI\u2019ve offered her a north-facing chair and a complimentary napkin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three dots appeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I shook my head. \u201cYour father needs a vacation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia grabbed my phone. \u201cI\u2019ve got an idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She typed a message and handed it back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGeorgia has also requested that I obtain the moon. Please advise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My boss didn\u2019t answer for two minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUm, well, use your judgment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I laughed so hard the photographer had to take our picture again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We danced badly, ate too many cupcakes, and watched Madison convince the DJ to play an old disco song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia taught me a dance move that made me look like I was fighting invisible bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we finally left, she was still laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d I said as we reached the car. \u201cI\u2019ve survived prom. Can you tell me what\u2019s happening now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My date stopped smiling. \u201cThere\u2019s something Dad hasn\u2019t announced at work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My stomach tightened again. \u201cPlease don\u2019t keep me in suspense, Georgia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s opening another location.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I blinked. \u201cAnother warehouse?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She nodded. \u201cAnd he needs someone to manage it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stared at her. \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been watching several employees. But you\u2019re the one he\u2019s most interested in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a moment, I couldn\u2019t speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then I managed to squeak out, \u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m practically new?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI still call my mom when I don\u2019t know how long to cook chicken!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia laughed. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re bad at your job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I shook my head. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t he just tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause he\u2019s convinced you\u2019re too young to recognize your own potential.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought about the questions Sheldon had asked over the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThose questions he kept asking were all tests?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome of them. He wanted to know how you thought.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia sighed. \u201cHe thought an awkward social situation would show whether you could stay calm when someone made unreasonable demands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stared at her. \u201cYour father turned prom into a management interview?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat was his plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s ridiculous!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI told him!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then I remembered something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait. What happened to your original date?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia smiled. \u201cOliver\u2019s my friend. We were supposed to go together, but then Dad started talking about this plan and asked if Oliver could go with his other friends instead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo he didn\u2019t exactly back out?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo. Dad just preferred that explanation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I rubbed my face. \u201cEveryone knew except me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPretty much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia pulled out her phone. \u201cAnd I already told Dad what I think.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She showed me her message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBrent failed your test. He let me eat three cupcakes, couldn\u2019t obtain the moon, and danced like a washing machine with a loose wheel. We had a great time. Stop treating people like experiments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I burst out laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then I saw Sheldon\u2019s reply. \u201cUnderstood. We need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly, I was nervous again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Monday morning, Sheldon called me into his office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked uncomfortable. \u201cHow was prom? We never got to talk when you brought Georgia back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEducational.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He sighed. \u201cGeorgia told you, didn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYep, everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheldon covered his face. \u201cI should\u2019ve known she couldn\u2019t keep a secret.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I sat across from him. \u201cSir, why didn\u2019t you just ask me whether I wanted to apply for the position?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked at me. \u201cBecause I wasn\u2019t sure you\u2019d believe you were ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHonestly, I\u2019m still not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why you\u2019ll receive training.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My boss explained that the new location would open in six months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wanted me to train with Marcus, the current operations manager, to learn about scheduling, inventory, and supplier management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If I performed well, I\u2019d interview for the management position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, he showed me the salary range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I nearly fell out of my chair!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was enough to help Mom properly and start saving for my future!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I still had something to say. \u201cSir, I appreciate this. But using Georgia\u2019s prom to test me wasn\u2019t fair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheldon nodded. \u201cYou\u2019re right, but it was more than that. I didn\u2019t tell my daughter, but I asked you to be her date because I wanted to see how you\u2019d treat my most precious person: Georgia. If you could handle her, I knew you could handle anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I couldn\u2019t help but tear up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was an honor, sir. But if you want to know how I handle pressure, you can watch me at work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My boss smiled. \u201cI already have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he offered his hand. \u201cNo more surprise tests.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I shook it. \u201cGood. Because I still haven\u2019t figured out how to get Georgia the moon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Six months later, I completed my training and earned the management position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom cried when I told her I passed the interview!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Janelle immediately asked whether we could finally replace our washing machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She raised both arms. \u201cBEST PROM EVER!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia and I stayed friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the new location opened, she gave me a framed prom photo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It showed me attempting that terrible dance move while she laughed beside me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Underneath, she\u2019d written:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEmployee of the Month: Survived One Prom, Three Cupcakes, and a Very Strange Boss.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hung it in my office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because that night taught me something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes, people recognize your potential before you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if you\u2019re going to tell someone they deserve a promotion, a normal conversation works just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You really don\u2019t need a school dance, a borrowed suit, and a boss who thinks getting the moon is a reasonable management challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it made for a great story about how I became a manager after working for a year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My dad didn\u2019t choose you by accident. And it wasn\u2019t for my sake.\u201d I stared at Georgia. \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d She glanced toward the prom venue, then back at me. \u201cBrent, my dad\u2019s been watching you for months.\u201d My stomach tightened. \u201cWatching me do what?\u201d \u201cHow you handle problems. How you treat people. Whether …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25108,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25107","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=25107"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25107\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25109,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25107\/revisions\/25109"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/25108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25107"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25107"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehre.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}