Building 11 “The New Employee”

I am excited for my first day. I can't really say when I decided I wanted to do it. Probably always been something I was at least interested in. But now that it is staring me in the face, I am pleased to say that though I am nervous I don't feel any doubt about my choice.

The Wellington Street Historical Society. I don't know many places that get their own museum, let alone a stretch of road. But this place is special. I've known that ever since I was little. And now I get to be a part in preserving the history of it for future generations.

My boss is really nice. His name is Eric, and he really seems as excited about preservation as I am. Not that I get to handle anything big for now. That comes later. At least I hope so. For now I just am supposed to get familiar with the displays and get to know the layout for when visitors come.

It is...strange for someone my age to be so interested in stuff like this. But it is my calling.

I feel it in my bones. There is something in this place that has always drawn me here.

Like I belong.

Mom and dad used to take me here when I was little. I will never forget the first time I set eyes on the place. I was eight at the time, and it was a bright sunny day. The place smells of history, but not the sort like you would find in most museums. Objects like these smell like mold and damp earth. It is not something that most people find comforting, but I loved it immediately. Even now, all I need to do it step through the front door and I just...smile.

I guess most people get that way about book stores.

My dad took me out to lunch today. There is a new sub shop that just opened up. It isn't bad, and gave us a chance to talk. He hasn't been home much lately. Says that there is a lot of stuff he has been dealing with at work. Lots of planning, not much doing, and a lot of dealing with people that annoy him. He says he might stop by my work after I have had time to settle in. There are some new displays they are setting up, so he at least won't be doing it solely for my benefit.
It will be nice practice, and it will be nice to get to spend some time in this place again with him. But I am getting a little ahead of myself. Haven't even started yet. Who knows what it will likely be like?

Eric says that I seem to be perfect for this sort of work. After he gave me the job I asked him what sold him. He said that I was simply over qualified. Wasn't expecting that answer to be honest. He said most kids decide to do this as summer work. They learn what they need to know, do the tours and move on. Can't say he is wrong when he says I am different.

I love the history of this place. It such a strange microcosm of all the things that I think make living in the city interesting. There is of course access to the theater and stuff like that, but it is also the interesting tidbits that tend to be forgotten or go unrecorded in a more rural place. And this stretch of road is unlike anywhere else. Local legends don't happen as much in the city, but here they are everywhere.

I remember when I was a kid I went to the local market after it closed, and laid down in the empty isle. Legend says that it is kept empty on purpose, and if you lay there at night that you can hear the dead. I did it with Betty and Danny years ago, but didn't hear anything. It was fun though. Felt kinda like saying bloody Mary in the mirror or something like that. It was frightening, but mostly because we weren't supposed to be in there.

That's why I am so excited. It just feels like my life has led up to this. I know it might sound stupid or silly, but when I catch the scent of the museum I just feel calm in a way I can't quite explain.

Here I am again, getting ahead of myself. First job jitters I guess.

I wrote to my anthropology teacher, Mr. B, and he said he was really proud of me. Big words coming from the guy who literally kicked a student out of his class for listening to music during a lecture. His wife passed away recently, and I have tried keeping in touch with him. Not sure how professional that is, but I can remember when I younger there were those kids who would come into class to visit their old teachers.

I always wanted to have a teacher like that.

All through school it always seemed that teachers always had other favorites. Guess I just hoped I would find one before I graduated college. I don't think I am his favorite, but he is at least nice enough to write me back.

Speaking of Betty and Danny, I found out that they started dating. Only took them ten years lol.

Anyways, I should probably get some sleep. I have a big day tomorrow and I sure as hell don't want to be late on my first day. I hope you are doing well, and that you liked the little somethin somethin I sent with my last letter. I hope you are able to reach a computer soon. Writing a letter is nice in an old fashioned sort of way, but would enjoy getting to hear from you more quickly.

Take care.

Hope to hear from you soon.

P.S.

Yes, I do use sleep medicine and even did a sleep study when I was younger. I used to have night terrors when I was a kid, but I take medicine to help with that. I don't have to worry about seeing a monster hunched by my bed, but I also don't sleep very well. Oh well. That's what coffee is for lol.

It's strange, even after all these years I remember the smell of the things hair. It was like the ink you find in Manga from Japan. It was super pungent, and I wouldn't eat breakfast when I was a kid because my stomach was too upset. I still feel a heavy panic when I get near that smell, and use Vics VapoRub whenever I am reading them.