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“This is how you thank my partner for all he’s done for you?” He looked around. “Come back to this shit-hole and act like nothing’s happened?”
“I told him how grateful I was this past weekend.”
“I didn’t come here for small talk.” He crossed his arms. “Allow me to tell you what’s about to occur over the next few weeks of your life, Miss Tanner.”
“I don’t work for you anymore.”
“You’re going to take the bar exam this weekend, and you’re going to pass that shit with flying colors,” he said. “I’m so confident about it, that I’m not even going to open the results when they’re mailed to me.”
“I have plans this weekend.”
“I don’t recall asking you to state irrelevant facts.” He looked over his shoulder, and Jessica stepped from behind a bookcase. “Did you hear me ask for those, Jessica?”
“I sure did not.”
“You will put in a two weeks’ notice here some time next week,” he said. “Then you’ll return to my firm and you’lllearnhow to be an even better lawyer than you were before.”
“With all due respect—”
“Your new starting salary will be eight hundred thousand dollars a year, with benefits, and we’ll work out something for your sister Ellie as well.”
“Mr. Hamilton—”
“You’re welcome.”
That weekend
The second handon the wall was ticking by too fast. I had one remaining essay prompt and ten minutes to craft a response.
Prompt:
A defense lawyer agrees to represent a client who has been accused of committing a heinous crime. The prosecution has decided to offer a plea deal in exchange for your client’s testimony against a previous client of yours who has committed a lesser crime. Explain what you would do in this situation.
Months ago, I would’ve given this a long response and infused my morals in every line, but I no longer looked at the law the same way.
Without hesitation, I envisioned Damien and I discussing this situation, and I wrote exactly what he would do instead.
“Time!”
Shit…I slammed my pencil down, and the proctor grabbed my test packet.
“You will receive your results via mail within the next three to six months,” he said. “Best of luck.”
The other students grabbed their things and rushed out of the room. I waited until I was the last one before leaving.
“How did it go?” Damien’s voice stopped me dead in my tracks.
I turned around to see him holding a huge bouquet of purple and white flowers.
“I think I did pretty well,” I said. “I struggled over the essay question on ethics, though.”
“Oh?” He stepped closer. “Why is that?”
“Because I met someone who challenged my views on things.”
“Hopefully what he taught you won’t hurt your score.” He held out the flowers.
“Thank you.” I tugged at a petal. “I was offered to come back and work at the firm, but I hope you won’t be offended if I request to work with someone else.
