Hooked on Dallas (Hooked #11)

Chapter 1

Laura

After ten years as a legal assistant, it etched my routine into my bones. File this, email that, schedule a meeting here, push back a deposition there. Lather, rinse, repeat.

After a deep sigh, I switch off the faucet and use a towel to dry off. I crave something more. A new challenge. Growth. Adventure.

Anything but the same old, same old.

By the time I arrive at the office, I plaster a smile on my face. “Morning Mr. Curran! Your schedule for today: 9 AM meeting with Smith and Doe re: the Johnson case, lunch at noon with prospective new client Mr. Collins, and a 4 PM call with the partners to discuss the acquisition.”

“Fantastic. Thank you, Laura. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Mr. Curran gives me a warm smile, patting my shoulder before disappearing into his office.

Weird. He isn’t hands-on like that. After working for him for almost a decade, he has never patted me on the back. What is going on?

I settle into my desk and open the floodgates, emails pouring in and demanding my attention. But my mind drifts as I work, dreaming of new worlds to explore beyond these four walls.

Someday.

For now, I have files to organize and phone calls to make.

I crack my knuckles and dive in, embracing the familiarity of the daily grind.

The usual morning tasks are becoming dull.

They put my organizational skills to good use as I schedule meetings, answer emails, and file away important documents, but I still crave more.

The desk phone rings, pulling me out of my task. “Mr. Curran’s office. How may I help you?”

“Hi Laura, it’s Sandra from Jenkins & Morris. I have Mr. Curran’s 2 pm deposition rescheduled for next Thursday. Will that work with his calendar?”

I pull up his schedule, scanning for conflicts. “Next Thursday would be perfect. Thank you for letting me know. I’ll update his calendar right away.”

“You’re a lifesaver! I don’t know how he’d manage without you.” Sandra laughs. “Talk to you later!”

“Goodbye!” I hung up the phone, a smile playing on my lips. Being able to juggle so many moving parts and ensure everything runs smoothly gives me a deep sense of satisfaction.

My eyes drift to the LSAT study guide peeking out of my bag.

Maybe I didn’t need to leave this job behind to pursue my dreams after all.

Perhaps there is room for growth here too, a way to challenge myself and gain new experiences without sacrificing the familiarity of a place that has become my second home.

“Do you think you could pull the Jenkins contract for me before the meeting? I want to review a few clauses.”

“Of course, I’ll have that ready in just a moment.”

After the meeting begins, Sandra from Jenkins & Morris calls again, her tone urgent.

“Laura, I’m so sorry, but Mr. Curran’s deposition has to be rescheduled again. Our client had a medical emergency and won’t be available next week.”

I check the calendar, wincing at the lack of open slots. Mr. Curran has been looking forward to resolving this case. “I understand. When would you like to reschedule for then?”

“The next opening we have is December 12th. I know that’s not ideal but?—”

“That won’t work,” I interrupt. “Mr. Curran is going on vacation that week.”

Sandra sighs. “I was afraid of that. Let me talk to my team and get back to you then. I appreciate your patience, Laura.”

“Of course. Speak to you soon.” I hung up the phone, staring at the calendar. This is turning into a logistical nightmare. But I am determined to find a solution. All it took is rolling up my sleeves and getting to work.

I comb through the calendar, searching for any open slots or ways to rearrange meetings. After an hour of attempts, one possibility emerges: if I push back a few client meetings by a day or two and ask Mr. Curran to postpone a mediation, we can fit the deposition in on December 5th.

Despite being far from ideal, it is our best chance. I call Sandra back with the proposed date, holding my breath.

“December 5th could work,” she says. “Let me double check with the client and get back to you within the hour.”

“Wonderful. I’ll keep that day booked for now.”

I hang up and lean back in my chair. Moments like this remind me why I love my job.

The obstacles that seem insurmountable at first are now falling into place, allowing the case to move forward.

While the life of a legal assistant isn’t always glamorous, I take deep satisfaction.

The impact of our cases stretches far beyond the office walls, helping clients in ways both big and small.

Sandra calls back with confirmation, and I solidify the plans. The deposition is on. I add the details to the calendar, smiling as I did so. Challenge overcome. Mission accomplished.

I continue to smile as I pack up my things and head out of the office for the day. It has been another successful day full of challenges and victories, both big and small. But they all add up to progress - for my career, for the cases we are working on, for the clients we are serving.

As I walk down the street, contentment settles over me. I have found my adventure, my growth, my impact in the unlikeliest of places.

My work might not make headlines, but in my small way, I am changing lives. As the subway train rattles down into the tunnel to take me home, I smile, knowing I have found my calling. We can find adventure every day, and I won’t trade the joy for anything.