No Doubt

“Twenty-one years? That long? Impossible.” Mr. Jenkins glanced at me, then back to the paperwork.

“Oh, I assure you. I started the process in 2002.”

“Yes, Mrs. Williams. I can read that on your record.” He shuffled some papers. “We’ll be in touch.”

I sensed that was my cue to leave. “Thank you for your time,” I stated when I exited his office.

Walking down that long gray-green hall, I wondered what my next step should be. Challenge any decision that he made? Accept it with honor and go on with my life?

Life was calling, the store, the employees, my family. Off I drove to the shop where the day flew by. Sales exceeded the goal, which amazed me.

When I was growing up, the guidance counselor at my high school stated, “Jane, you are in a backward town. Your grades are passable, your SAT and ACT scores aren’t great. No college will admit you. You won’t amount to much. Accept it. Get married and have babies.” I left that meeting feeling defeated and then changed that to anger. Anger at being seen as so little in his eyes. How dare he!

So I graduated, not with school honors, but with honor in my heart. The first in my family to graduate from high school. Then I went to community college. They were glad to accept me on a work-study program and helped me get government grants. Two years later I had a degree in public relations and started working in television.

Now here I am twenty-one years later. I found the love of my life, we have two amazing children, I have a thriving business. Now I am trying to get this university to accept my work and life experience as presented in my Master’s thesis for my advanced degree in Business Administration.

The title of my thesis is “Finding the Balance of Life as it Applies to Business”. Sounds a bit nebulous. But I did find a balance, and I write about it in my thesis.


“So, what did the dean say?” George questioned me at dinner.

“The usual, non-committal ‘we’ll be in touch’ that I’ve received the last few months. I wish they’d decide. I’m tired of waiting for an answer.”

George held up his glass. “A toast to you! The best boss anyone could have!”

“You’re just saying that because you’re my husband.” We touched water glasses.

“No, well, yes, but you are a great boss. Everyone says so. Don’t sell yourself short. You boss me around all the time.”

“Very funny. Let’s talk about something else. How’s Hannah? And Ruth? Heard from them today?” Our girls are in college now. They text dad every day, it seems.

“No news, but like they say, ‘no news…”

“…Is good news.” I completed. “But I pray they’re studying hard.”

“Did you study hard all the time, Jane? Come on, I’ve heard your stories.” He laughed. “Your friends with benefits?”

I grimaced. “If you so much as ever breathe a word of those times to the girls I’ll murder you in your sleep.”

George grinned. “Your secret is safe with me. Besides, you chose wisely.”

“Well said, Mr. Thompson, well said.”


The call came a few days later. I was to meet Mr.Jenkins at noon. Making sure the business was in the capable hands of Rose, the manager, I hurried to the university, early just to be sure.

“So Jane, the committee met.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And their decision was not an easy one.” Jenkins had his hands in front of him, on the desk. They formed a tent of sorts.

“Yes, sir.”

“In fact, it was not unanimous.”

This was like pulling teeth, I thought.

“Yes, sir.”

“But, you have your degree. They agreed that your thesis plus your proven life experience of the past twenty-one years is more than enough to qualify you. Congratulations!”

I sat very still, savoring the moment. Then I jumped up, pumped his hand, thanked him profusely.

“Thanks ever so much! You don’t know how much this means to me! Really, so incredible!”

“Right. Well, we’ll see you at graduation. You’ll get the information in an email.That’s all.”

I practically ran out of his office, to my car where I could call George and the girls with the good news.

A master’s degree for the little girl from a backward town who was told she would never amount to much. Yeah. That’s me. I never doubted it for a moment.

W/C 751



*Based loosely on the true story of a friend of mine.