Chapter 23
The next day, as promised, Andrew was back.
He walked into the restaurant and took up the same seat as the day before, a small grin appearing when he saw me.
As I served him a lunch of fried fish and hushpuppies, he told me stories about the places he’d been, the things he’d done, and the people he’d met were mesmerizing, painting a picture of a life lived to the fullest.
In between taking orders and pouring drinks, I told Andrew about Sims Chapel, the people I knew, and my years spent teaching. He listened attentively, his gaze never wavering from my face, as if every word I said was the most fascinating thing he’d ever heard.
“What about you—did you always know you wanted to be a lawyer?”
“Not exactly. Actually, I wanted to be a painter when I was younger. But life took me down a different path.”
“A painter, huh? Like, houses?”
“No, like Van Gogh, Monet.”
“Oh. That’s different. Were you any good at it?”
He chuckled at that, dabbing the corners of his mouth with the napkin. “I was decent, I suppose. But I knew I would never be great. And I wanted to be great.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you chose the right career. After you left yesterday, I called Paula and asked her about you. She had nothing but good things to say. She also said that you’ve never lost a case. Is that true?”
A blush crept up his neck, and he glanced down at his half-eaten plate of food. “It is.”
“Impressive. Tell me, how does it feel to stand before a courtroom and argue a case? To fight for what you believe is right?”
“Intense,” he said, his eyes distant as if he was reliving the experiences. “Like you’re locked in a battle of words and wit. Every argument is a bullet, every rebuttal a shield. The adrenaline, the thrill of a well-made point…intoxicating.”
“You certainly paint a vivid picture,” I said, smiling at his description. “After we spoke yesterday, I wondered if I had made the right choice in becoming a teacher. My mind wandered to what could have been if I had chosen law instead of mathematics.”
“And what did you conclude?”
“That I may have missed my calling. That doesn’t mean I regret the path I chose. Touching the lives of young minds, inspiring them to make a difference in the world, is a reward like no other. But…”
He considered this for a moment, swirling the last of his coffee in his cup. “I suppose there’s always a part of us that wonders, isn’t there? The road not taken and all that. You know, I did some thinking, too, after we spoke.”
“Oh?” I leaned in. “What about?”
“If my defense of Rosalie is to be successful, I’m going to need some help. Believe it or not, preparing for trial is not just about me, it’s a team effort, and right now I’m a team of one.”
“I’m not sure I follow.”
He looked up at me with a serious expression, the playful glint gone from his eyes.
“I need someone who can help gather information critical to the case, sort through evidence, that sort of thing. Someone with an analytical mind, who can make connections where others may not. Someone like you. Unfortunately, I can’t compensate you due to your friendship with the defendant, but it would be a great opportunity for you to work on a real case, see if it’s something that interests you. ”
His offer caught me off guard. “I—I don’t know what to say. Don’t you already have someone that does those things for you?”
“Normally, yes, but she recently moved, and I’ve been struggling to find a temporary replacement. I know I’m going out on a limb here, but I think you’d be perfect for the job.”
I hesitated, mulling over his proposition. It was an incredible opportunity, one most people would jump at. But was I really prepared for something like this? “I’m flattered, really, but I wouldn’t know where to start. Plus, I couldn’t possibly compare to your previous assistant.”
He leaned back, regarding me with a steady gaze.
“True, but everyone starts somewhere. My assistant was also very green when she started, but she quickly learned the ropes. Tell you what, sleep on it before you give me an answer. Opening statements start in a few days, so why don’t you come down to the courthouse and see how things work?
If it seems like something you’re interested in, we can talk more.
If not, no hard feelings. How does that sound? ”
Andrew’s world seemed so different from mine, thrilling and intimidating all at once. My hesitance must have shown on my face, because he quickly followed his offer with a reassuring smile.
“All right,” I said, finding myself agreeing to his invitation. “I’ll do it. I’ll come down to the courthouse and check it out. But just so we’re clear, I’m not making any commitment beyond that.”