Chapter 21 - LILA’S FIRST JOB

Lila took a summer job at seventeen.
Museum collections assistant.
Her choice.
First week:
Inventory labels.
Storage boxes.
Dust.
Data entry.
She came home furious.
“I worked eight hours and nobody let me touch anything interesting.”
I smiled.
“Welcome to employment.”
She glared.
Then:
“I cleaned shoes today.”
My body stopped.
She noticed.
“Dad.”
“What?”
“Professional conservation cleaning.”
“I know.”
“With gloves.”
“I know.”
“Sitting at a table.”
“I know.”
“Paid.”
May you like
I laughed.
That last word helped.