"God, no." Sandra laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Sixty-hour weeks making rich people richer. I was good at it and made decent money, but I was dying inside. Then one of my law professors, who had moved to the Shore after retirement, called and told me about the Legal Aid opening."
"And you just packed up and moved?"
"Pretty much. Took a 70 percent pay cut, moved to a place where I knew exactly one person, and never looked back." Sandra's smile was genuine now. "Best decision I ever made. I love my little rental house, I love the work, and I actually feel like I'm making a difference."
Terry felt something shift in his chest, recognizing a kindred spirit. "Most people wouldn't give up that kind of money for principle."
"Most people probably have more sense than I do." Sandra grinned.
Their conversation was interrupted by Terry's phone ringing. He glanced at the display and saw Emma's number, his stomach immediately dropping.
"Sorry, I have to take this," he said apologetically. "It's my daughter."
"Of course, go ahead."
"Hey, sweetheart, is everything okay?"
“Yeah, Dad. I wasn’t sure when you’d get in today.”
Terry felt relief wash over him. "It won’t be too long.”
"Okay, then, I can just ask you when you get home. It’s algebra again. I was afraid that if you were going to be late today, I’d need to call a friend.”
"No problem, sweetheart. I won’t be too long, and I can help you when I get there. In fact, I’ll bring dinner home so we don’t have to cook."
“Oh, Dad, you’re the best!”
"Love you, Em. I'll see you at home later."
"Love you, too."
Terry hung up and looked across the table to find Sandra studying him with an expression he couldn't quite read.
"Sorry about that," he said. "Emma's a perfectionist. She'd rather call me for help than turn in incomplete work."
"Don't apologize." Sandra's voice was soft. "That was beautiful to watch."
"What do you mean?"
"The way you just... shifted. One minute, you're this tough drug task force captain, and the next, you're patiently talking to your daughter like she's the most important thing in the world."
Terry felt heat creep up his neck. "She is the most important thing in the world. Both my kids are."
"I can tell." Sandra leaned forward slightly. "Most men I've dated would have been annoyed by the interruption, or would have told her to figure it out herself."
"Then you've been dating the wrong men."
Something passed between them at that moment, and Sandra instinctively reached across the table and covered his hand with hers.
"Sounds like you're a good father, Terry."
The simple statement hit him harder than any compliment about his professional achievements. "I try to be. Sometimes I feel like I'm making it up as I go along."
"Aren't we all?"
Their conversation flowed from there, moving seamlessly between personal stories and comfortable silences. Terry found himself sharing more than he usually did with anyone outside his family. He talked about his military service, the challenges and rewards of parenthood, and the purpose he found in his work despite its frustrations.
"Can I ask about your ex-wife?" Sandra said carefully. “Is she in the picture?”
