Matt & Brooklyn: A Standalone in the "Again for the First Time" Family Saga (AFTFT Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

Still, I didn’t understand what any of that had to do with me—a newbie on the university’s staff. These opportunities were reserved for well-seasoned instructors.
    Raj’s voice came back, full of excitement, gesturing with his hands while he spoke. “This year, I was among those selected,” he explained. “Well, actually… I’ve been chosen as a stand in for another professor who had to pass at the last minute due to personal circumstances, but I’ll take it!” he added with a laugh. He was right to be giddy about this. It was no small thing to be selected.
    “Oh my gosh, Raj! Congratulations! You definitely deserve this.”
    It would suck having to be assigned to another instructor in Raj’s absence, but I was sure I’d get over it.
    “Thank you,” he replied, graciously accepting my compliment. “But there’s more.”
    More?
    “We each get to hand-pick our own teams,” he went on. “Three support staff members apiece. Naturally, my first picks were Charlotte, Malcolm… and you . I couldn’t think of three better candidates.”
    My head spun with a million questions, but I didn’t ask them quickly enough, so Raj cut in again.
    “This would be great for your resume, Brook; I know you’re hoping to be offered a full-time position in a couple years once you’ve finished your studies, and, well… this would be an excellent research opportunity for your dissertation. Excellent ,” he reiterated.
    He was absolutely right; this opportunity was huge. And to have been considered so early in my career? I knew it was only because Raj could account for me personally, knew how passionate and dedicated I was. He said once that the semesters he had me in his classes were always the hardest because he was sure I knew just as much as he did, if not more. School had been such a big part of my life, my only life honestly, for so long I had a tendency to make all my decisions around it. I was fully prepared to make many more sacrifices these upcoming years as I embarked on the journey toward completing the Ph. D. program.
    Still in a bit of shock, I blinked several times before firing off questions. “…When? What’s the timeframe?”
    Some of his excitement dulled, which I knew was probably a bad sign. “With classes beginning in a few months, we’d be expected to arrive mid-August.”
    So roughly eight weeks from now.
    “I apologize for the short notice, but like I said, I was asked to participate in place of another professor. My invitation came late as well,” he explained.
    I understood, so I didn’t question him about that part any further. “O-okay,” I stuttered, trying to take this all in. “…And our living arrangements?”
    “Already taken care of,” Raj replied quickly. It seemed to renew his enthusiasm when I didn’t immediately turn down the offer. “The university has housing available for us, so there’s nothing to worry about. In the next month or so there will be physicals, a yellow fever vaccination, and things of that nature for medical clearance, but that’s it! If you say yes, Brooklyn…” He paused and the weight of this opportunity fell heavy on me. “If you do this, your chances of being considered for a full-time position in the coming years increase greatly.”
    This maneuver, the unmatched experience of it, could be my ticket.
    “Take some time to think on it. Like I said, the medical examinations will not commence for some time yet, but it has been suggested that we take care of that part sooner rather than later in case someone doesn’t qualify. So… is three weeks long enough for you to decide?” Raj asked.
    I stared blankly for a moment and snapped out of the daze to give a nod.
    “Good,” he said with a smile. “And it’s not every day you’re offered an all-expenses-paid year in Johannesburg. Am I right?”
    Wait… this was for an entire year? I assumed it was just for a semester!
    Raj excused himself and linked up with a few of my former classmates