NO EPA

For those of you who are following the chronicles of my life, this is a new and interesting twist.

Setting: Santa Maria Post Office, Battles Road
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 18, 2005. 4:30 PM
Characters: An unnamed administrator of a Ravenswood City Elementary school as Principal X
Daniel Gustafson as himself

(Daniel is preparing to enter the Post Office. His cellphone begins to ring; he answers)

DG: Hello?
PX: Hello, Daniel Gustafson? Did I say that right this time? I must have tried five times before and couldn't pronounce it.
DG: Yeah, that's right. You said it right.
PX: This is Mr. X from EPA school. I just got off the phone with your father. I thought he was you and offered him the job (laughing).
DG: Oh, great! It's good to hear you.
PX: I'm calling to offer you a second grade position at GOA. It's in the bilingual transitional program.
DG: Oh... there's no opening in the dual immersion program?
PX: After I shuffled everyone around, this is the opening I have available.
DG: Well, OK… it's not the position I applied for.
PX: Are you still interested?
DG: (pause) Well, I'm not closing the door, but can I have some time to think about it?
PX: Sure.
DG: It’s just … this is not what I expected. I need some time. I'll get back to you soon.
PX: (anxiousness in voice) Alright. Will you please let me know as soon as you can?
DG: Yeah, I will. Thank you. Bye.
PX: Goodbye.

(Daniel returns home. Prays and listens. Discusses situation with parents. The three of them pray and listen. Daniel does not sleep until late in the evening, but wakes up happy).

Setting: Daniel's bedroom in the Gustafson home
Date/Time: Thursday, May 19, 2005. 7:30 AM

(Daniel is preparing to leave for his job as a substitute teacher. He calls the voicemail number of Principal X)
PX: (recording) Hello, you have reached the office of Mr. X. I am unable to answer your call at this time. Please leave a message at the beep and I will return your call as soon as possible.
DG: (excited) Hello, Mr X., this is Daniel Gustafson. I am calling to say, yes, I am still interested in the position. Uh, since this is not the program I thought I was going into, I do have some questions about the requirements and expectations. I would also like to meet you face to face. Please call me back at _____ (cell number), and I will try to reach you later today. Thank you.

(Daniel continues to call and leave voicemail messages over the course of two weeks. He sends two emails and talks with the school secretary. There is no response from Principal X or the Ravenswood City School District regarding his acceptance/rejection, time to meet the Principal, or status with the district)

On Thursday, June 2, Daniel realizes that it is over. He cries, because this school was his number one choice. As of June 19, one month later, Daniel has still not heard from either the district or Principal X. Fade to black.

Cue up Big HAPPY FACE. If God says no to EPA, there must be something better!