“I love it,” I said. “It’s a great idea.” Secretly, I was horrified that I would have to spend yet more time away from Iris. Between her sports and school and social schedule, and now my work, I felt like I barely saw her. It was heartbreaking. But, on this particular Friday night, Iris was spending the night with Gabe’s daughter Chloe, so she wasn’t home anyway. And I was so grateful to have steady work, a paycheck, and a boss who was feeding me clients, that I would never have thought of complaining. I was trying to be very zen, but I did have to take a moment to absolutely panic. The clock was ticking, and I was getting increasingly nervous about Bill’s court date. The discovery still hadn’t come.

“I’m sorry I can’t be here with you tonight,” Gabe had said. “But Agnes will be here.”

I wanted to roll my eyes. Yeah. Agnes was such a huge help. I might rather be alone.

“That said,” Gabe added, “you don’t need me. Already.” He leaned back, studying me like he was amused. But Gabe had this sense of perpetual amusement about him. In spite of myself, I really, really liked him. He had a good heart, and he was successful because his primary goal was taking the very best care of his clients.

“Charlotte, honest to God, you’re the best damn employee I’ve ever had. I don’t deserve you.”

“Thanks, Gabe. This opportunity means the world to me. You took a chance on me when no one else would, and I can’t ever repay you for that.” Gabe was my savior. Well, no, if anyone was my savior, it was Alice. But Gabe was at least my patron saint.

He had tapped his hand on my desk. “Oh, you’re repaying me right now.”

Gabe got to his feet, and I called, “Have fun tonight! Take care of my daughter!”

“Always,” he said as he left.

I had formerly imagined this new world I was inhabiting to require taking potential clients to lunch, visiting their places of business. And, sure, I did do some of that. But I mostly sat right here in my office and waited for people to walk in the door. I’d ask them an extensive number of questions, plug some data into my software, and find out what carrier could offer the best rate and value combination. It really wasn’t selling at all. It was just obvious. They had a need; I could fill it. Life insurance and disability were a little more complicated than property and casualty—that was your general car, home, and boat insurance, umbrella policies, etc.—because they required physicals and health histories and had a lot more factors. You’re a dentist? Your disability is essentially a whole different product than if you’re a teacher. The companies are different, the rules are different.