49- Fire eyes

I’m not surprised at her response. I know exactly why she’s refusing my idea, and it warms my heart.
“This is the best time of your life,” she says. “I’m not going to let you squander it on me. Go out into the world and apply to wherever you want. You’ve always said that you wanted to try New York or somewhere in Europe? Do that.”
I sigh. “Lee Rang, I’m not squandering anything on you. There are great opportunities here in Denver and rather than reside in some strange place where I won’t know anyone or have anyone, I’d rather be here with you. I’d be happier. That’s what you want, isn’t it? For me to be happy?”
She spins around to face me. “Of course it is.”
“Exactly. So, I’m going to increase my focus in applying to positions here in Denver. An exciting offer can come from anywhere but I’ll prioritize here.”
“No, prioritize your interest. I’ll be fine.”
My phone begins to ring so I roll my eyes at her and head over to where my purse was abandoned on her sofa. “We’ll be fine Lee Rang, and I’ll be here for you. Stop overthinking everything.” I glance down at my phone, and am slightly taken aback that there is no caller ID.
I consider ignoring it, but then it occurs to me that it might be regarding one of the countless positions I have applied to. So I lift the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Hello,” a man’s voice comes through the receiver, smooth and strong. “‘Is this Blair Tatum?” “Yes, this is Blair. Who am I speaking to?”

“Allen Canter. We met a couple of weeks ago at the job fair at the University of Texas,” My heart fell into my stomach. “Allen Canter? The CFO of FireEye?”
“Yes, that’s me. How are you doing?”
My airway constricts. “Um, I’m doing great... sir.” I’m not sure but I think I can feel his smile through the phone. When I met him a few weeks ago at the event, he had been open and friendly, so it is probably the same countenance that I’m projecting onto him now.
“I’m calling regarding a position that might be a fit for you. I remember the last time we met you spoke about your interest in cyber security and your experience during your internship at Zimperium.”
“Yes, sir,” I reply, and turn around to glance at Lee Rang.
She has her attention on me, surprised at my sudden formal tone.
Even I’m rattled, not exactly sure if this is some sort of courtesy call, or if I am now in an interview for a potential position. It’s 7 PM on a Friday night, and if the latter is the case, I’m not at all prepared for this.
“I have an opening that I think you might be able to fill considerably well,” he continues. “Would you like to come in, so we can talk about it further?”
I become too nervous to remain still, so I begin to pace the living room, one hand underneath my elbow to support the weakened hand holding my phone. “Most definitely, sir.”
“Alright,” he says. “How soon can you make it to Denver?” I clear my throat. “I’m already here, sir. I’m visiting family.”
“That’s fantastic,” he replies. “How about we set up a meeting for Monday then? Sound good? “Sounds great... sir.”
“Alright. You’ll be able to find your way to FireEye right? It’s downtown.” “Most definitely, sir.”
“Okay. I’ll slot you in for an appointment at 9 AM. Have a great weekend.”
“Sure. Thank you... sir,” I respond. The call comes to an end and I pull the phone away from my ear as though in a trance.
“Who was that?” Lee Rang asks.

I turn to her. “I just got an interview. Here in Denver.”
“Oh, my God!” Her hand covers her mouth. “We were just talking about this. Where? I mean what company.”
“FireEye.”
“FireEye? I’ve never heard of it, what do they do?” “It’s a cyber security awareness company. It’s massive.”
“Wow, that’s great. You applied for it? What position are they interviewing you for?”
I head back to the stool to take my seat. “That’s the thing. I didn’t apply. I just met the CFO about two weeks ago at a job fair at school. I was still interning at Zimperium then, so I gave him my card.”
“And he kept it? You must have made quite the impression.”
“Absolutely not,” I replied. “I was a babbling idiot. I kept asking stupid questions and making the most awkward jokes, which now that I think about it, he did actually find quite funny. What is going on?”
Her smile is angelic. “The stars are aligning in our favor.” She rubs her stomach.


Her smile is angelic. “The stars are aligning in our favor.” She rubs her stomach.
I couldn’t hold back my delight either. “Oh, my God, if I get a position there I’m going to collapse. That’s a freaking unicorn company!”
“A what? Unicorn? I thought you said they’re in cybersecurity.”
I laughed at her naivety. “I don’t mean an actual unicorn. I mean they’re really successful, fairly new and privately owned and valued at a billion dollars. Companies like that are called unicorns because it’s so rare to be that successful within a short frame of time.”
Her eyes nearly bulge out of her sockets. “A billion dollars? Wow, that does sound massive.” “Exactly. Wow... I’m shaking. It would be such a privilege to work there.”
“It does sound like a great opportunity,” she agrees. “What position is he calling you in for?”
“He didn’t say. All he did was set up a meeting for Monday. And oh, my God, he’s the CFO... and he called me himself. His father founded the company along with the current CEO, and he called me himself. Not through personnel but directly.”
“Okay, calm down.” Lee Rang laughs. “You’re hyperventilating.”

“I know but this is unreal,” I say, close to jumping out of my skin. Overwhelmed with emotion, I do realize I need to calm myself down, so I take deep breaths, and focus on reducing my excitement and subsequent nervousness.
“Okay we need to celebrate,” Lee Rang says. “Tomorrow night. I’ve had a tiring day and this momma to be needs to crash.”
I laugh. “What do you mean? There’s nothing to celebrate. This was just to set up the interview.”
“Well, we’re going to celebrate you even getting the call. Then we’re going to toast to your acing the interview and getting some fantastic position there.”
“Well, I’m not going to say no to that, but are you going to be able to come out?” My eyes lower to her bulging belly.