40. Reed
Reed sat at his dining room table, eyes bleary and heart heavy. After nearly twenty applications for entry level attorney positions across the northeast, he had finally gotten a phone interview for a small nonprofit agency that provided legal services for incarcerated individuals in New Jersey. It wasn’t the side of law he’d ever imagined working on, but then he’d also witnessed abuses of power that he never would have imagined prior to his time in law enforcement, so it wasn’t that far off from what he wanted to do as an assistant district attorney. Either way, he didn’t have many options at this point. He just needed an in, and he’d figure it out from there.
At three o’clock on the dot, he received a phone call from the lead attorney. They talked about his education, his work experience, and his aspirations. He thought he’d answered everything satisfactorily, but sensed hesitance on her end. He heard her shuffle some papers, tap her pen against the desk, then sigh deeply.
“So Mr. Stanton, have you ever actually been to Newark?”
He could see why she’d ask that. The accent, the strictly Georgia education and work history. He’d never thought of venturing outside of the state, and she probably sensed that. He considered a little white lie but couldn’t bring himself to do it.
“No, but I’ve heard nice things about it,” he said with a smile, hoping it came across as enthusiasm.
“Have you?”
All he knew was that it was eighty-five miles to Philadelphia and ten miles to Manhattan, so he had his bases covered for whatever Maya decided to do.
“Yes.”
She sighed again. “Okay…Look, Mr. Stanton, this is not a glamorous position. The pay is modest, we don’t offer a signing bonus or relocation, and we need someone to start like yesterday. I can’t afford for you to take a chance and have you leave after a few months. I think it’d be wise to take some time and really think this through. I do think you have great experience, though, so if you’re still looking after graduation, and you happen to be in the area, feel free to get in touch.”
He thanked her for her time and ended the call, then dropped his phone on the table. His only lead was now dead, and any hope for a path that included Maya was dwindling.