The call came Wednesday afternoon.
For some reason, I knew the verdict before he ever said a word.

"Fletch, I've got good news and I've got bad news," he said. "Which do you want to hear first?"

I was indifferent to the matter and so the bad news came first. Of course, it was the news that I had not been picked for the position. Out of more than a doen interviewees, it had come down to me and another guy... And the other guy walked away the winner.

The good news is there are perks to being runner-up. The company likes me and believes that there will be other openings in the same position elsewhere in the country. I should hear something from them before the end of the month.

Relocating isn't really a problem. I told them on Day One that I wouldn't mind moving if it meant getting a good job. And I don't mind. But as the application process for this job continued, the real appeal of the position was that it was close to home, close to friends and, most importantly, would have kept me involved with the fire department.

Te possibility of getting a good job on my first try was probably too much to ask... but it would have been nice. Now it's time to gather the troops and plan the next attack.