The Parent Trap(65)
“Being a journalist would be a really interesting job.”
Seemingly buoyed up by a little positive reinforcement, Kate continued. “I wouldn’t stay doing that forever, though. Someday I want to be editor in chief of a magazine like that.”
“What sort of education do you think a person would need to land a job like that?”
Kate shrugged again.
“A college degree, for sure. Something like journalism, or maybe business administration.”
“I guess.”
“And good photography is all about light and angles and exposures. Remind you of anything?”
Kate scrunched her nose. “Science and geometry?”
“That’s right. And the editor in chief of a big fashion magazine would need to understand budgets and finances.”
“And that means math.”
The resignation in her voice made Sarah laugh. “I’m afraid so.”
“Did you help Casey figure out what she needs to do to be a veterinarian?”
Interesting question, and one that required a careful answer.
“Not exactly.”
Sarah had always known her daughter was not like most kids, and to draw a comparison between Casey and Kate wouldn’t be fair to either girl.
“Casey decided she wanted to be a vet when she was in kindergarten. I’m not sure how she came up with the idea. We didn’t have any pets and so she’d never actually met a veterinarian.” Her father had still been alive at that time, drinking heavily, burning through money faster than he could earn it. A pet, no matter how much Casey would have benefited from having one, would have been an extravagance they couldn’t afford.
“That’s so Casey,” Kate said. “For someone who’s supersmart, I figured she’d be a total nerd. She’s not, though. She’s pretty cool.”
Sarah’s heart swelled. These were things she’d always known about her daughter, but hearing someone else say them, especially one of her peers, was a gift. But this conversation was about another girl, one who was every bit as smart but, for reasons Sarah didn’t fully understand, lacked the self-confidence to believe it.
“There’s a chance I could be biased...but yes, she’s a pretty cool kid. And so are you. You’re smart. You’re really good with computers. The write-ups you’ve put on our social media sites are brilliant, you’re great with customers, and you have an eye for design. I’ve noticed the outfits you put together for yourself, and I saw how easily you put together the window display here in the store. I think a career in fashion is perfect for you, and any magazine would be lucky to have you.”
Sarah was reminded of a flower blossoming as she watched Kate’s features soften and her color heighten.
“Would you maybe consider telling this to my dad? He thinks all this stuff is lame.”
Hearing things from Sarah wouldn’t have half the impact on Jonathan as hearing it directly from his daughter. She’d been really pleased to hear he’d followed her advice and had a heart-to-heart talk with Kate after they’d brought the girls home, but it sounded as though they still had a way to go before the lines of communication were flowing as they should. Between Kate’s attitude and Jonathan’s opinions, she could imagine how that conversation might go.
“I have a better idea. How would you like to write a blog post for the store’s website?”
“Sure, but I don’t see what that has to do with my dad.”
“That’s because I haven’t given you the topic yet.”
A little of Kate’s earlier wariness was back. “You make this sound like school.”
Sarah laughed. “I hope it’ll be more fun than that. I’d like you to write about the things we talked about this afternoon. About your goal to work for a fashion magazine someday and about the things you’ll need to do to achieve that goal.”
“And you think he’ll read it?” Kate asked, clearly skeptical.
“I’ll make sure he reads it.”
“Really? What about your customers? Don’t they want to read about current fashion trends, the new merchandise you’re bringing in, stuff like that?”
“My customers will love finding out there’s a budding fashionista in our midst, I guarantee it. And your dad will be proud of you. I can guarantee that, too.”
“You really think he will?”
“I know he will.”
“Okay. I’ll do it! Is there anything you’d like me to do today?”
“I have to finish the accounts I’m working on. Juliet is on her own out front and it would be great if you could give her a hand with customers and the new window display.”