Chapters (65)
- Cover
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Part One
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Part Two
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Forty-Eight
- Forty-Nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-One
- Part Three
- Fifty-Two
- Fifty-Three
- Fifty-Four
- Fifty-Five
- Fifty-Six
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- About the Publisher
“Yes, I am aware of that,” I said, trying not to let my disappointment show. “That’s why I wanted to clarify—”
“It’s fine,” he said. “I’m sure, as a journalist, you’ll understand that things aren’t always as they seem.”
“Well, yes, but,” I said. I didn’t really want to hear his shtick.
“Have dinner with me, please. I’d like to explain,” he said. “Or, we can focus on the inherent injustice in our system of unequal access to legal advocacy.”
I could feel him smiling on the other end of the line. “Well, that last part sounds like an intriguing hook. I’m always in for a good story,” I said, wanting to see that smile in person.
We made plans to meet the following night. I didn’t want to sound too anxious, and I wanted to think about it. Maybe I’d change my mind? Also, I needed time to research issues related to access to justice. Think about what to wear. Wash my hair.
I could hardly wait.
When I arrived at the Winston steak house, I felt like splurging, so I drove up to the valet. I thought about all the other times I’d eaten at this particular restaurant. When you live in a place long enough, you attach experiences to landmarks and then string other memories on top of those, forming an unexpected necklace. And it’s hard not to revisit those past selves when you swing by again. At the Winston, I’d had a job interview lunch, a girls’ night out during grad school, and a miserable blind date. Tonight would be either a good interview or a good date. But hopefully a good date.
I opened the door and Hal was already sitting at the bar on a red leather stool, as cool as Pierce Brosnan, watching for me. His smile pushed dimples into his cheeks, and I’m sure I blushed. He looked so sexy in a crisp suit and tie, and I could smell his cologne as he took the coat off my shoulders. His skin glowed in the dim lights reflected in the giant mirror behind the bar, and I wanted to touch his hair.
“You look nice,” he said.
“So do you.” I glanced past the bar toward the dining tables, with formal white linens and real candles.
“Would you like a cabernet? Or something else?”
“That sounds perfect,” I said, and it was as if he already knew me, knew what I wanted.
Hal nodded to the bartender. I knew I was in good hands. And this was definitely a Good Date.
Seven
Cally
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2002
Evening