A week has passed since I kissed the firm goodbye and I’ve spent my newfound free time working at the Veterans Homeless Shelter, hanging out with Colby after she gets home from work and contemplating my future. I’m no closer today to knowing what I’ll do than I was the night I quit, but for once I don’t care. I have enough money to live on for quite a while before it becomes an issue and I know for a fact I don’t want a job unless it’s going to make a difference in the world. I was happiest working when I felt like I was making a difference, fighting for our country, taking care of the guys in my team. But I’m too old to go back in the Army, and even if I wasn’t, I don’t want to go back to that. So, I figure the next best thing is a job that changes lives. Just don’t ask me what that’s going to be.

Tonight though, Diego and Claudia, Dex and Mari, Judson and Quinn, Javier and Valerie, and Colby and I are going to dinner at the nicest steak house in town. We are celebrating Javier being cancer-free for two years.

* * *

The last hour has been spent laughing hysterically and enjoying the awesome company of my friends, who seemed to have pulled Colby into the fold without blinking an eye. She hasn’t stopped smiling and I’m enjoying this relaxed, confident side of her. She fits in with my friends perfectly. It’s as if her personality was created to complement mine or vice versa, and I hate that it took me this many years to find her.

Colby’s giggling at something Mari said while I pour her another glass of wine when Mr. Hadensbach, of all people, strolls up to the table and stops right behind her, eyes glued to me. I didn’t even see him come into the restaurant, but I pause pouring and set the bottle down beside her glass. No words come to mind as we stare at each other. There are a ton of things I could say to the man, but none of them really matter. Even though he was a giant asshole, I probably owe him a big thank-you. If not for the whole thing at the mixer, I wouldn’t feel as free as I do to start my life over and do it the way I want to.

“Martinez,” his face is stern as he greets me. I’m sure if he’s been in the restaurant for any amount of time he’s noticed how happy I am.

“Ralph,” I reply. He won’t get the respectful gesture of me calling him Mr. Hadensbach anymore.

Instead of offering me his hand to shake he places his hands on his hips like he’s about to scold me. “You left us in a lurch by leaving the way you did.”

Wow, he’s going to start off with that in a packed restaurant, in front of a table full of watchful eyes. I stay quiet. I did leave them in a lurch, but I don’t feel bad about it. At some point, you have to stand up for the right person. Being a noble human being has to count and I’m that if nothing else.

I lift my chin and stand tall. “I don’t regret it.”

Hadensbach’s eyes narrow on me and I decide it’s time to lay it out for him. “Let me give you one piece of advice before you leave me to enjoy my friends. Fire Stanton. That guy is a cancer, and you’ll end up buried in a nasty lawsuit if you don’t. I think you’ve brushed complaints about him under the rug for too long and the pile is getting too big to ignore. For the sake of your firm’s reputation and all the people you employ, especially the women, he needs to go.”

“You have no right—” Before he can finish that statement, another lawyer I recognize but don’t personally know, comes up behind him with a huge smile on his face. This is Jacob Levenski, the son and second partner in the Levenski and Son firm. Rumor has it that the old man will retire next year, leaving Jacob in charge. They have satellite offices in Denver and in Aurora and are well known all over the country.

He ignores Ralph and leans in to shake my hand. “You’re Victor Martinez?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m Jacob Levenski of Levenski and Son.”

“Yes, I’m aware. Nice to meet you.” I smile at him. I’d never tell him, but I’m a little star-struck. He’s a bit of a celebrity around here. Known for fighting the good fight, so to speak.

“Listen, I heard that you’re currently unemployed and I think you’ll be perfect for the new division we’re opening up. It’s pro bono work with veterans and their families. Can we set up a time to meet next week? I’ll make it worth your while.”

I glance at Ralph, whose face is so red it looks like he could explode at any moment. The timing on this couldn’t have been more perfect for me if I had arranged it myself.

“Yes, absolutely. That sounds like something I’d like to discuss further.”

“Here’s my card. Call me on Monday and we’ll set up a meeting. I’d love to have you at our firm. Your integrity,” he glances back to Ralph with a bit of a scowl on his face and then back to me, “and your reputation proceed you.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll give you a call Monday.” I shift the card to my other hand and shake his hand once more before Jacob says, “It was nice meeting you. Enjoy your evening.” Then he fades back into the crowd.

“I think we’re done here, Ralph. Take care.” I dismiss him by returning to my seat without another word or another look in his direction. Everyone is silently shaking with chuckles as they attempt to hold back full-blown laughter. That was a pretty savage moment. Couldn’t ask for better timing, that’s for certain.

* * *

It’s now Tuesday morning and I’m sitting in front of Jacob Levenski, who insists that I call him Jacob instead of Mr. Levenski, which is already a welcome change from what I’m used to.

“Victor, with your prior enlistment and your law degree, your résumé fits for the type of job we’re offering, but it’s your character and disposition that we feel blends most with our company culture. I’m passionate about getting this program off the ground. Both my father and I are veterans and we feel it’s important to give back. We are a successful enough firm now that we can implement the type of service we’ve dreamed of providing. Neither of us needs more money than what we have. Our other employees are paid well for what they do and we feel like it’s the right time. Do you feel this is something that will interest you? It may put you in a courtroom more often than you have been previously.”

“I didn’t mind being in the courtroom for the right reason. I just never wanted to be a defense attorney who defended everyone who came through their door regardless of how likely it was that they did what they were accused of.”

“Good, I feel the same. Mostly what we’ve been approached with is your specialty, anyway. Estate planning, living wills, that sort of thing. We have occasional situations where the client was taken to the cleaners when they were deployed overseas, came home and couldn’t afford to live because they’re paying the former spouse more than they should in alimony. We’ve also been approached with cases for VA benefits. We’re thinking we review each case that comes our way and only accept the ones we think are good causes. How does this sound to you?”

I take a deep breath as I contemplate what he’s proposing. It would be nice to come to work and put my time into really making a difference. No longer working to climb a ladder, only working to do the right thing. “Actually, it sounds great.”

“There would be benefits, a 401K and bonuses. We can hammer out the details in a contract, but I wanted to talk to you about this to see what your feelings are. I know it doesn’t come with the prestige that other positions might bring, but I feel like it could be a great position for someone looking to make a difference, rather than a name for themselves.”

“You were right to target me because I’m at that point in my life where my focus is on making a difference rather than a name for myself.”

“Well then, we will get a contract drawn up by the end of the week and emailed over to you. Look it over and let me know what you think.”

When I leave Jacob’s office I feel content and confident that my life is moving in a direction that I want it to, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.

* * *

It’s been three months since I started the new job and I love it. I’ve only had a few late evenings and those were by choice. It’s nice to be at a job where your hard work is valued and appreciated on a daily basis and you don’t have to deal with assholes like Stanton. Rumor has it he was placed on administrative leave last week. No one is saying why, but I’d bet 100 bucks it has something to do with harassment. Guys like him never change.

Colby and I haven’t spent one night apart since she got back from her last monster truck show and waking up to her every day has certainly been a welcome change in my life. Today is Carol’s birthday so I’m at the cemetery for the first time in a long time. I used to spend more time here than was necessary and when I look back on it, it seems as if I was trying to make up for all the hours I wasn’t there when she was sick. Only I didn’t put two and two together until now.

I set the vase of a dozen pink roses—her favorite—on the ground at the foot of the headstone and picture her face when I’d bring them to her when she was alive. Every time it was like the first time I’d given them to her. She would jump up and down, clapping and squealing like a little kid, making me laugh. I always brought them to her myself, except when I was deployed, because I loved her reaction so much.

“I’m sure by now you know I’ve met someone. It’s why I haven’t been here. It always feels like I’m cheating when I divide my time between Colby and here. I know it shouldn’t, but somehow that’s how it feels. So from now on I only plan to come for your birthday. You’ll always have a place in my heart, but it’s time for me to move on and I’m going to do it in a big way. I hope wherever you are you can be happy for me. Damn, I feel like an idiot standing here talking into the wind like I would if you were standing here. But I feel like if I don’t say this out loud, you’ll think I’m forgetting you. I’m not; I could never do that and Colby doesn’t want that either. It’s just time for me to move on.”

Almost immediately the weight of stress and guilt lifts from my chest. I’ve been carrying a heavy layer of both and uttering the words out loud makes me feel better. Not needing to say any more, I turn on my heel and stride back to my car and drive to the jewelry store to meet up with Dana and Shaunda. I called Shaunda first and then Dana, swearing them to secrecy. Dana screamed so loudly that she made my hearing aids squeal and Shaunda broke down crying.

When I open the door to the jewelry store, Dana is standing with her hip to the counter, arms crossed over her chest talking to the young jeweler behind the counter, whose name I know is Caleb. As I approach them I notice the natural blush on her cheeks and wonder what conversation I might have walked up on. Before I can even greet them the door rattles behind me and a frazzled Shaunda bustles through, shouting, “I’m sorry I’m late. Doctor appointment ran over. Don’t start without me!”

I give her a half-smile. “I just got here; you’re fine. We would’ve waited for you. Everything go okay?”

“Perfect. Doc is pleased.” She doesn’t give me a chance to respond. Instead, she steps into me and throws her arms around my neck. “Thanks for letting us be part of this. I’m so excited. I don’t think she has a clue!” She pulls back and looks at me with tears in her eyes. “Pop would be so happy about this. He liked you and he wanted the best for her. I think you qualify.”

“Thanks. I’ll do everything I can to make her happy.”

Shaunda pats my cheek with affection and says softly, “You already are.”