I’m at the library early, but not too early, on the day of Todd’s interview. My backpack is parked on the steps as I stare at my phone. Nothing from Meylin yet but I know she’ll be here. She’s been excited about this interview since Todd first emailed us last week.
Okay. Maybe I should back up a little. Yes. I told my parents about Todd and my Mom actually called him. They talked for a while and she seemed really impressed (Mom likes anyone that pursues a Master’s or higher given her job). Personally, I haven’t talked to him yet, besides replying to his initial email and telling him that he was accepted. The reason for that is my protection. Basically, I can’t correspond with Todd alone. Mom actually let Todd know the date and time for the interview. And, if Todd has any questions, he’ll have to contact her and she’ll forward my response. Yeah. It’s complicated but necessary.
Anyway, I chose the first day available or, translated as, my day off from Spirit Scribe. Luckily for me, Todd was free as well. The last thing on the agenda was informing the librarian and that went smoothly.
“You’re always here first. Thought I had you beat this time.” Meylin announces.
I have to do a double take when I see her.
She looks beautiful in her traditional Guatemalan dress and yellow shirt. The dress itself is black and the patterns are reminiscent of Santa Maria Nebaj. Meylin’s sandals complete the graceful ensemble. Her outfit actually makes me feel inadequate in comparison (in my pink t-shirt and jeans).
“Wow. You look great, Meylin.”
“Thanks.”
“Okay. I’m not sure if Todd’s here yet (my Mom didn’t text me). So, let’s just go in and see.”
Meylin nods as I scoop up my backpack and climb the rest of the stairs to enter the library. The library is only half full for the middle of the afternoon so it’s not too bad. Meylin and I then head over to the front desk where two librarians are working. I’m not sure if I spoke to either of them on the phone or someone else.
“Hi. My name is Autumn Blevins. I reserved a room for an interview I’m doing. I spoke with a…”
“Autumn Blevins. Right. You’re in room seven. Mr. King actually arrived ten minutes ago and should be in there already.” The librarian says as she gestures towards the back of the library.
“Great. Thanks.”
The room is one of several that dominate a long hallway. Several of the doors are closed as I look for the right room number.
“I think she meant upstairs. When I was here before, there were more rooms upstairs.” Meylin suggests.
“Maybe.”
Let’s see. Okay. The numbers seem to be out of order for some reason. I see eight and thirteen next to each other but I don’t see seven. This is a weird layout, for sure.
“I found it. It’s over here.” Meylin calls out to me at the other side of the hallway.
I rush over to her and see the number “7” staring right at me in the face. I’m not sure how I missed it before but whatever.
I open the door and survey the room before entering. It’s a small space with a conference table that barely fits within its confines. Not to mention all the unnecessary chairs that will, undoubtedly, make it difficult to walk. It’s definitely going to be a challenge to set up the microphones and other equipment. Well, if this Todd guy is as promising as I was led to believe, it should be worth it.
Oh, right. I almost forgot all about him.
Todd is sitting at the conference table and is wearing a brown button down shirt and khakis (it seems like I’m the only one that forgot to dress nicely today). He has long dark hair that almost reaches his shoulders but not quite. Also, he seems to be in his mid to late twenties, which seems right for a graduate student.
“Todd King, right? It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Autumn and this is Meylin Arreola. She, actually, directs all the videos.”
I go over to Todd while Meylin puts a chair by the door to keep it open. I then shake Todd’s hand but there’s something…strange about it. Honestly, it feels like I’m shaking hands with a skeleton suburbanites put out on Halloween for display. His hand is like an imitation of the real thing (just an unnatural dexterity mimicking the real thing). In fact, I have to look at Todd’s hand and make sure it has skin there.
“Hey, Todd. I’m really excited for your interview. I know this is personal but I was hoping you’d give me some advice about college. I would be the first to attend college in my family, and yeah, it would mean a lot.” Meylin says.
“Oh…Oh…Oh…Hi.” Todd finally blurts out after an uncomfortable few minutes.
Okay. Maybe he was caught off guard or something. But what was that? I’m getting flashbacks to the woman at the convention center but I stay cool.
“So, what advice do you have?” Meylin asks.
“You…You…You…have…” Todd stutters.
Well, after about a minute or so of this, Todd finally stops stuttering but now it’s worse. Yeah. I know but hear me out. He starts actually talking but you can’t understand him. It’s like he’s giving a speech underwater.
Now, I’m seriously worried about this interview and it hasn’t even officially started. Doesn’t this guy have a Master’s degree? At this point, Meylin isn’t even listening anymore. Instead, she just unpacks the equipment, her eyes lowered and away from Todd.
“It’s okay, Todd. I think Meylin understands.”
After I explain this to Todd, his face turns beat red with embarrassment. Then, with much trepidation, I sit down next to him.
Against my better judgment I start the interview. It would be a waste if I didn’t at least try.
“Okay, Todd. Here’s the first question. Do you think your learning disabilities played a factor in being accepted into Monmouth? Can you elaborate on what the process was like (and I know that’s technically two questions)?”
“I…I…I…I didn’t really think about it. I…just sent in my application and…and…” He then gestures wildly with his hands as if he’s trying to think of something. Then the underwater voice returns and I’m lost again.
This is so frustrating. When he sent in his email last week it was actually well written and articulate. Now, he can’t even complete a coherent sentence. What happened? How can this be the same guy? It’s like I’m a victim of false advertising.
I don’t even know what to do at this point because if I can’t understand him than my viewers definitely won’t. Should I keep asking questions or give up? I’m really conflicted right now.
“Meylin, can I ask you a question…about…about…” Todd says while turning towards her.
“What kind of question?” Meylin asks.
“I was wondering what kind of school…you…you…were interested in attending?”
“Forget it, Todd.”
I can hear the hostility in Meylin’s voice and, along with Todd’s difficulty speaking, it’s hard to justify continuing the interview.
“Meylin, can I talk to you outside for a minute?”
“Sure.”
“We’ll be right back, Todd. We just have to go over something real quick.”
Todd just nods as Meylin and I exit the room. The last thing I notice before leaving is the vacant look in Todd’s eyes.
“Well, that was a disaster. What do you think? Should we just cut our losses and quit now?”
“Yeah. He’s useless. Let’s get out of here.”
“Not so loud, Meylin. He might hear you.”
“Don’t care.”
Okay, that settles it then. It’s time to wrap this up. Though, it kind of stings that this is the first failed interview.
We reenter the room and Todd is still sitting there with the same expression on his face. Like he doesn’t even realize this whole thing is one big failure.
“I’m sorry to say this, Todd, but something came up and we can’t continue the interview. We’re really sorry but I’ll pay for all your travel expenses, okay? When you get home, text my Mom and let her know the price of your Uber and train tickets. I’ll reimburse you. Again, I’m really sorry…”
“You have a learning disability in Math, right? That’s what you said in your email, right?” Meylin asks.
“I…I…have…” Todd stutters.
“It’s a yes or no. I’m not looking for a speech.”
“Meylin, what’re you doing?”
“I’m asking Todd, not you. Yes or no, Todd? I don’t have all day.”
“Yes.”
“Let me ask you one more question then. And this is an analog clock so remember that. So, if the short hand points at a little past three and the long hand points to six. What time is it?” Meylin asks.
“Meylin…”
“Let him answer, Autumn.”
Todd then looks down at his fingers and starts to count it out or something. Weird strategy since that’s not going to give him the answer. While he’s counting, the strange appearance of his fingers catches my attention again. It’s like they’re not properly aligned like normal fingers.
“Well…”
“6:03.”
“Not even close. The time would be 3:30. And you have a Master’s degree. Do you even know how to tie your shoes?”
Meylin then storms out of the room, without even looking back, which means leaving me alone to pack up the equipment with a humiliated Todd still sitting there.
This creates a beyond awkward situation as I try to stuff the microphones in my backpack as fast as possible. I have no clue why Meylin thought she needed to do that. What was she thinking? I know she’s disappointed that Todd was incapable of giving her any advice but come on.
“Meylin didn’t mean that Todd. She’s just…she’s been having a really bad day. Please don’t take it personally.”
Todd’s face is beat red, even redder than before. I hate to say this, but it’s really pathetic. And to tell you the truth, I’m starting to get annoyed too. Why is he acting like a little kid? And is he really going to cry because a twelve year old insulted him? Okay. That’s a little much for me.
“Are you going to reschedule the interview with me?” Todd asks and, to my amazement, he doesn’t stutter.
“I don’t think so. We have too many people scheduled. It just didn’t work out this time.”
“When I defended my thesis, it passed with distinction. I didn’t mention that in my email but it did.”
“What was your topic?”
“Gender themes in the Teen Titans comic book.”
“My parents teach English at Columbia University. I’m sure my Mom told you that when you talked to her…”
“Yeah, she did.”
I’m not sure where I’m going with this or why I’m still talking to him. I should just say goodbye and get out of there. And yet…I don’t know. When he mentioned his thesis, and how he passed with distinction, I realize I don’t want to give up so easily. Between that and his hands, there’s still untapped potential here. I just need him to talk like this on camera.
“Listen, Todd, I’ll email you later this week. Maybe I can fit you in for another interview. I’ll let you know, okay?”
“Sounds good. Thank you for the opportunity.”
“Bye, Todd.”
“Um…can I ask you one last thing, Autumn?”
“Uh, yeah, what is it?”
“You mentioned getting an Uber driver but I…don’t know how to do it.”
“Are you kidding me? You’ve never used an Uber before? How’d you get here then?”
“I took a cab that was waiting outside Penn Station.”
“Not a wise move. That’s pretty expensive, especially if you’re taking it all the way here. I take it you don’t know how to ride the subway?”
Todd just shrugs without answering my question.
“Never mind. I’ll get an Uber for you. Send my Mom the cost of your cab ride when you get home. Okay. I’m getting it now. Hold on a sec.”
I take out my phone and handle the arrangements for him. Considering everything else that’s happened today, I’m probably not as surprised as I sound.
It’s better this way, anyway. I don’t even want to imagine Todd trying to take the subway and getting lost in New York. That’s the last thing I need.
“You’re all set. An Uber will be here soon. Just wait out front where they can see you.”
“Thank you.”
I then hoist my backpack over my shoulder and leave the room.
By the time I get outside, Meylin is already standing there on the sidewalk. She still doesn’t seem to be in the best of moods.
“Did you really have to humiliate him like that?” I ask.
“I wore this dress for nothing. Just another lying Winaq.”
“He wasn’t lying, Meylin. He just…he obviously has problems speaking.”
“So, that’s why they gave him a Master’s degree because he can’t talk?”
“No.”
“Let me get this straight. He can’t talk, can’t do basic Math, and can’t handle any type of pressure. You following?”
“I hear you but what does that have to do with…”
“How about if that was me? You know that some people can’t understand me sometimes because of my accent or because of the Ixil words that I use. You get that, right? If I acted like Todd, I wouldn’t even get my foot in the door much less graduate.”
“Meylin…”
“Stop. You know it’s true. How about when I was searched at the pool? Remember that? You want to make a bet that they still work there? Huh?”
“My Dad called the manager and he said he dealt with the situation.”
“Uh huh. That’s code for giving them a warning. And you know what? He probably didn’t even do that.”
“Maybe you’re wrong. Maybe…”
“How about all those other times I was searched for no reason? Did they get a warning for that?”
“I…”
“You know what? You really don’t get it. Whatever. I’m going home. I’ll catch you later.”
I watch Meylin walk away without even calling out to her. Honestly, I don’t know what to say or do. She’s obviously in a lot of pain but there’s nothing I can do about it. Don’t get me wrong I want to do something. Anything. More than that, I want to help and be there for my friend.
How?
I just don’t know.
Related Articles: Being Special, Chapter 1 https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-1-b5e175dc0d00
Being Special, Chapter 2 https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-2-4c622095b4e9
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