The worst news had to come to Merlot.
Dr. Graydon had to let him go. Not enough students had enrolled in his courses for the next semester.
He'd given him a short list of professors who might need teaching assistants for their heavy workloads, but it wasn't enough. Most teachers were already reducing their course loads because of the sharp drop in international students.
With the bills hanging over his head and The Sangria War still failing to break into mainstream literature, Merlot thought about jumping over the balcony of his apartment.
He couldn't.
Not after everything he had fought through in Vietnam.
Returning to the manuscript on his desk, he hoped to land an interview for a teaching assistant position at a different college, armed with the experience from working with Dr. Graydon.
Doubt entered his mind. With too many teaching assistants laid off, competition was fierce — only one position was open.
Going back to the military wasn't an option. The VA doctor had made it clear: he was too depressed and unstable after Vietnam to ever be trusted with a firearm again.