Chapter Eleven
“Here’s your computer, as promised,” Lanie said the next day as she blew into Steven’s house, loaded down with bags of groceries and his laptop.
“Thanks!” He grabbed the computer and eagerly opened it before he caught himself. Not yet. He needed to wait until he was alone. Then he could delve into his workload and make a dent. If he tried to do that right then, Lanie would likely rat him out to Rose, or worse, she might return the computer to his office.
With a resigned sigh, he set it on the kitchen table and lifted a few items from the grocery bag. He moved to the pantry and put them on the lower shelves. Although he hated being cooped up and treated like an invalid, he didn’t miss grocery shopping. He could get used to having groceries delivered, especially when it didn’t cost him any extra in fees.
“I bought stuff to make chicken piccata for dinner tonight.” Lanie grabbed the package of chicken and stuck it in the fridge.
“You don’t have to do that,” he responded quickly. If she stayed for dinner, he wouldn’t be able to get to work until late in the evening.
“I know, but I want to.” She shot him a smile. “I suspect you miss red meat, but I think you’ll love this anyway.” Her smile turned wistful. “It tastes just like Mom’s.”
How can I turn that down?“That sounds great. I appreciate all you’re doing for me.”
“Rose may be joining us as well,” she continued as she filled his pantry with different canned goods. “She wasn’t sure whether she’d have to work a double tonight.”
Ducking his head into his fridge, he put away some produce, glad for a moment to fix his expression. If Rose came over, he would never get a chance to work. She’d probably stay until the aides came to transfer him to his bed for the night, and then he’d have no way of accessing his computer. For a moment, he hoped she wouldn’t be able to get off in time, then he chastised himself. He wasn’t being fair.
“That’s great,” he finally said, hoping he’d added enough enthusiasm to his tone.
“Dad may stop by, although there’s a game on tonight.”
Sometimes Steven envied his father. Nobody forced him to do anything, mainly because he was stubborn enough to do the exact opposite of whatever anyone wanted him to do. But that might be part of the reason things hadn’t worked out between Steven’s parents. His father wouldn’t bend or compromise, which had led his mother to a breaking point.
That thought sobered Steven up. He refused to fall into the same habits as his father. If Rose stopped by, he would deal with it as best he could. Perhaps he could use the excuse that he needed to compile the ad for the law clerk.
“It’s not like Dad can’t watch it here,” Steven said, coming back to the present.
“Yeah, but you know how he is.”
After the groceries were put away, Lanie moved over to where she’d laid his laptop on the counter and pushed it toward him. “So why don’t we work on the law clerk ad? We’ve got some time before I need to start dinner.”
He tried to hide his relief as he moved over to her and signed in to his computer. The machine booted up quickly, and he opened his email, skimming through the growing number of unread messages staring back at him. He itched to start reading them in greater detail, but he didn’t want to test his sister’s patience. The fact that she’d brought him his laptop and was willing to allow him to do some work was more than he could have hoped for.
Instead, he clicked into his files and opened his special calendar, noting with growing alarm that some of the deadlines he’d set were fast approaching. As he surveyed the dates, he debated what cases he would feel comfortable passing on to a law student.
“I need someone who’s already graduated,” he murmured half to himself. “A 3L might be acceptable, but anyone lower than that is too wet behind the ears.”
Lanie gave him a puzzled look. “What does that mean?”
“Ah, sorry.” He chuckled. “Basically, a third-year law student, someone who’s preparing to graduate.”
She nodded and grabbed a pen and paper from the drawer by the fridge. “Do they need to specialize in any area of law?”
“Not really. But their research skills need to be impressive, especially if they aren’t familiar with a certain area like estate planning or family law.”
After jotting that down, she peered over his shoulder. “That looks like a lot of work. How do you keep up with it?”
“Sandra helps,” he said, trying to ignore the growing panic in his belly. “But it’s why I work such long hours.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Do you expect a law clerk to do that?”
Cocking his head, he considered her question. Do I expect a law clerk to keep my crazy schedule? From what he knew of the larger law firms, associates were often expected to work long hours, especially if they hoped to get on the partner track. But he wasn’t a large law firm, and he wasn’t hiring an associate.
“No, though I do hope they’ll be open to working after hours sometimes.”
“We’ll discuss that in the interview,” she said.
He turned to her. “You’re planning on joining the interviews?”
“Of course.” Her eyes widened. “Why wouldn’t I?”
He frowned and glanced at his computer. What does Lanie know about hiring anyone, let alone for a law practice? He figured she would assist with the day-to-day, performing more secretarial tasks like editing pleadings or mailing correspondence. But it appeared she had bigger plans for her time with him.
“I didn’t expect you to. I mean, no offense, sis, but do you even know what to look for in a law clerk?”
She glared at him. “I know what to look for in an employee, regardless of their job title.”
After searching her face for a moment, he nodded, though he wasn’t convinced. Still, it might be helpful to have another person evaluating the candidates. She might have a different perspective than him, and he wanted to be sure he made the right choice.
“All right. First things first, let’s decide what to put in this advertisement to attract quality candidates.” He leaned back and crossed his arms. “In addition to research skills, I need someone who’s a good writer. Sandra helps draft a lot of my pleadings, but I don’t want to rely solely on her. And if I have to spend all my time editing something poorly written, I’d be better off writing it myself.”
With a nod, Lanie jotted that down. “But I assume you’ll have to review everything since they won’t be licensed to practice yet, right?”
“Of course.” He waved a hand. “I’d review it even if they were licensed to practice since it’s my name on the letterhead.” Drumming his fingers on the table, he tried to think of what else might be useful. “Excellent customer service skills.”
She frowned. “Won’t most of the clients be handled by Sandra or your receptionist?”
“Not necessarily. If I’m not around, they may need to speak to the law clerk if they need something more technical explained. While the clerk can’t give them legal advice, they can at least explain the contents of a contract, for example. And they’ll likely be in regular contact with the court. I want to make sure they can manage.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Besides, what if Sandra or Leslie are busy? At the very least, the clerk will need to know how to handle clients well enough to take detailed messages.”
“Duly noted.”
Nothing else immediately came to mind. He glanced at his sister’s notes. “Do you think you can draft an ad with what I’ve given you?’
She nodded, her face breaking into a smile. “I’ll go over it with Sandra tomorrow and bring it by when we’re done.”
“That’s great!” The tension in his shoulders eased. He hadn’t realized how much it would help to have a plan. “I appreciate your help.”
“Anytime.” After a quick glance at her watch, she moved toward the kitchen. “I’d better get started on dinner before Rose and Dad arrive.”
“If they’re still coming,” Steven said, crossing his fingers under the table in hopes that they wouldn’t. The fewer people there, the greater his chance of getting to work after Lanie left.
“Thanks for dinner.” Steven patted his stomach and gave his sister a warm smile.
Rose had been pulled into a double shift, and his father had preferred a night in with pizza and beer to Lanie’s cooking. Everything had turned out as he’d hoped. He just needed to see Lanie headed home, and he could get to work.
She shook her head and grimaced. “There’s so much food left over. I should have saved some of the chicken for another night.”
“Nonsense. I’ll have leftovers for lunch and dinner tomorrow.”
“True, though I had planned to stop by to make you dinner.”
He waved his hand over the table. “Look at all of this. There’s really no need.”
Her lips pursed as if she wanted to argue with him. He stacked plates and silverware before setting them on his lap and wheeling himself to the sink. His sister jumped up to help him. Between the two of them, they should be able to make quick work of it.
“Did you want to play a game tonight?” Lanie filled the sink while he stuffed the leftovers into the fridge.
Shaking his head, he moved to the table and leaned against it, trying to look tired. “I’m pretty beat. When the home care aides arrive, I plan to have them help me into bed and call it a night.”
For a moment, he feared she would see right through him, but instead, she gave a quick nod. “That’s wise. You don’t look like you’re getting enough rest.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Don’t get defensive. I’m only saying I’m concerned.” Wiping her hands on a towel, she leaned forward and scrutinized his face. “You’ve got dark circles under your eyes.”
“I’ve got a lot on my mind.” He shrugged. “It’s hard to turn my brain off, especially with everything I need to do.”
“I can understand that, but you’ve got to try.” Her teeth worried her lower lip. “Have you taken any of the sleeping medication the doctor prescribed?”
“You know I hate feeling like I’m drugged. I can’t even stand Benadryl.”
“But if it’ll help—”
“It won’t. Trust me.”
She shot him a dubious look. “How do you know if you won’t try?”
“Look, I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.” When she opened her mouth, he held up his hand. “Or at least, I will be once we find a law clerk and relieve my work burden a bit.”
She turned to the sink and grabbed another dish. “It’s just, Rose has been talking my ear off every chance she gets about how worried she is. I promised her I would try to intervene.”
“Let me handle Rose.”
Lanie snorted. “Good luck with that.”
I’m gonna need it.
After she put away the last dish, Lanie grabbed her purse, and he followed her to the front door. She leaned down and gave him a quick hug.
“I know you keep telling us not to worry, but we can’t help it.” She pinched his cheek. “You’re the only big brother I’ve got.”
Shaking her off, he smiled. “I’ll take care of myself, I promise.”
As soon as she was gone, Steven returned to the kitchen and grabbed his laptop. What he’d told Lanie was partially true. When the home care aides arrived, he did plan to have them set him up in bed, but what he didn’t tell her was he intended to take his laptop with him.
But it wouldn’t help much. Reviewing his emails only confirmed his fears. Due to the amount of work he’d missed, deadlines were pressing in from every direction. With a sigh, he began reading and responding to emails. And he vowed to himself that one way or another, he would find his way back into his office—and soon.
The next morning, Steven woke with a crick in his neck. He’d slumped over while working, and his laptop hung haphazardly off his good leg. He rubbed his eyes and stretched, wincing at the stiffness in his shoulders.
After he righted his laptop, a low groan rumbled in his throat. His emails appeared to have multiplied overnight.
A knock on the door alerted him to the arrival of the home care aides. Two men in scrubs entered the house and helped him to his chair. Neither was very talkative, which was fine with Steven. Their assistance with his morning routine was awkward enough, especially in the bathroom. Once he was showered, dressed, and sitting at the kitchen table, they left, promising to return that evening.
He longed for a cup of coffee, but since his heart attack, Rose had insisted he switch to decaf. That wasn’t going to do it this morning. He went to the kitchen to see if Lanie had taken pity on him and stashed real coffee away somewhere.
After searching the cabinets to no avail, he grabbed the decaf canister, grumbling the whole time. But, he reasoned, it was better than nothing, and perhaps the scent of fresh coffee would trigger his brain.
He checked his phone as he waited for the coffee to brew. Lanie had sent him a draft of the advertisement for a law clerk. As he read it, he had to give his sister credit. She’d managed to sum up everything he needed in very few characters. He gave her the go-ahead to post the ad and poured himself a mug of coffee before heading to the living room.
A few hours later, another knock on the front door startled him. When the person didn’t immediately enter, he scrambled to hide his computer under a couch cushion before rushing to open the door.
“Hey, big bro.” Lanie stepped around him and into the house. Her arms were laden with packages.
“I thought I told you that you didn’t need to cook for me tonight,” he replied, struggling and failing to keep the annoyance out of his voice.
“I’m not here to cook for you, but I did note you were low on a few things. I took the liberty of picking them up.” She side-eyed him. “Don’t worry. I’m not staying, so you can return to working on the sly without my interference.”
His mouth fell open, but before he could respond, she moved by him and carried her bags into the kitchen. After he recovered from his shock, Steven followed her down the hall.
“Did you tell Rose?” he demanded from the doorway.
She rolled her eyes. “No, I’m not your warden. But you should tell her.”
Once she put the groceries away, she turned and leaned against the counter, folding her arms.
“I thought you weren’t staying,” he said, shifting uncomfortably.
“I’m not, but I did want to let you know we already got our first applicant.”
His eyebrows shot up. “That was fast.” He leaned forward. “Did you have a chance to look over the application?”
She nodded. “I’m no expert, but he sounds perfect. And I’m taking his quick response as a good sign we’ll be able to find someone to assist you real soon.” She pushed off the counter and stepped toward him. A wave of relief washed over him, and he moved out of her way. When she reached the front door at the end of the hallway, she glanced over her shoulder. “But if you want to interview him in person, you’ll have to get the okay from your actual warden.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “If it’s to help me reduce stress, she won’t mind.”
His sister’s doubtful look made him second-guess himself, but he kept his face neutral as she left. Once she was gone, he retrieved his computer from the couch.
As he reviewed the application, he was buoyed by the credentials of the applicant, a recent Georgetown University graduate looking to gain experience while he studied for the bar exam. Based on the address, he lived in the suburbs, which were about forty-five minutes away from Cedar Haven. Steven hoped that meant the applicant wasn’t also applying to the big law firms in DC because there was no way his tiny firm could compete with their salary offers.
After making a few notes on the application, he debated how to approach Rose about his returning to the office to conduct interviews. Lanie had made it sound like Rose wouldn’t be amenable, but he couldn’t imagine why. After all, the only reason he was hiring a law clerk was to appease her. He couldn’t very well hire someone without an interview. And although he could hold a virtual meeting, he was old-fashioned enough to want to meet candidates face-to-face. There was only so much he could discover about a person over a computer screen.
With any luck, Lanie could schedule the interviews to occur on the same day, which would limit the time he needed to be in the office. Whether that would be enough to appease his fiancée, he didn’t know, but if nothing else, it might at least postpone an argument. After crossing his fingers, he sent a text message to Lanie to start setting up interviews.