My death.Phoenix’s view fogged.Forever more, forever never.
He skimmed the familiar entreaty he’d studied multiple times.
Phoenix, as you were growing up, I never fully shared how much it weighed on me, the gap between your privileged life and those who came through my court with so little. You’d think a judge could do more to right those scales, but the inequity was stark. If you’re reading this, it’s six months after my death, and I have one last favor.
During the frenzy of those days in court, I couldn’t help everyone. Who knows, maybe I couldn’t help anyone. I always wondered if I could have done more. Perhaps this burden is too big to ask of you, but it would ease my soul if you could sprinkle one more good deed into the world on my behalf. Tip the scales in a way that I wasn’t allowed to.
With complete discretion, and without revealing the source of the request, could you please find and bestow a good Samaritan deed on one of my long-ago cases? It would give me peace to think of this girl doing well. And if there’s anything she needs, that you provide a little nudge in the right direction. Writing this, I’m imagining that your act of kindness for her will be emblematic of the good I hoped for all the people who stood before me.
The depth in her eyes haunts me still. She was a teen when you were, so it struck me hard. Her name is unforgettable. I hope you can find her. Thank you for granting me this one last wish. Perhaps I’ll rest easy, knowing that you might be able to help this girl, and knowing that you’ll keep this confidential. Please don’t tell even your brother or mom. You know I’m breaking privacy rules. Her name is Orchid Paige.
God bless you in this endeavor. Dad
When he’d first read the letter, his dad’s request seemed out of character. Who was this Orchid Paige to him? Then again, how could he say no to his deceased parent?
An online search revealed that Orchid Paige was a unique name, and easily findable in the city. Her LinkedIn profile reflected a successful businesswoman. Google wasn’t enough to uncover what she needed. He thought of ignoring the request. If it was important to his dad, he wouldn’t be so easily deterred. He was busy, so he contacted a trusted private investigator. To her credit, she grilled him about his motivations before being willing to take on the case.
Then she’d called one day to say she’d overheard Orchid say she was going to meet her friend to divulge what she needed. The investigator was unavailable that night, so could Phoenix go? He considered his options, and seeing no downside, agreed to swing by. His plan was to see if she seemed okay, and maybe overhear some good deed he could impart. He hoped the answer would be as straightforward as a check to charity.
When they’d met, everything changed.
He thought he understood why her case had haunted his father. Grace, bravado and strength shone from Orchid like a beacon. It was there in the luminous bright amber of her pupils, in the swish of her sheath of hair.
During their childhood, his dad often shared heart-wrenching stories at the dinner table. The tapestry of their collective sorrow had scored indelible marks on Phoenix’s psyche, making him aware that his own blessings were capricious… and could be snatched at any instant.
He pulled himself out of his reverie.
He had discovered what Orchid wanted: creative experience to improve her qualifications for the assignment to China.
How ironic that one of the obstacles she couldn’t scale was the easiest for him to resolve. So, he’d offered to discuss the pro bono ad work with her. Still, he wanted to make sure the work was right for her, and that she’d be right for his client.
Which might be complicated, since she’d looked like she was sensitive to images of injured people that the ad campaign would feature. Although, it would be satisfying to protect her from that annoying Princeton guy. And it couldn’t hurt to deposit goodwill with Estee Lauder. Whether this would lead her to China, he had no idea, but he would be willing to give her a chance.
There was something he was reluctant to admit to himself: the biggest truth. Just looking into her charcoal-shadowed eyes sent a shock through him like the spark of a brilliant advertising idea.
Or maybe she wouldn’t contact him at all.
Either way, his fealty to his dad meant he couldn’t reveal the reason he’d agreed to consider her. Even if he could help, he needed to do so with a light touch and duck out as soon as the good deed was done.
Phoenix looked up from his desk to see Dex striding through the door and headed straight for him.
“Liv,” he called to his assistant, loud enough for Dex to hear. “You’re supposed to keep the riff-raff out.”
“She knows to ignore you,” the burly exec boomed.
Phoenix indicated one of the swirly white chairs situated in front of him. Dex was already plunking into it, the cushion gasping as all air compressed out.
“Hey, what’s up?” asked Phoenix, pushing aside his dad’s letter.
“Fionawants to know who you’re bringing to the Effies,” he said, invoking the name of his wife as if it were a weapon.
Pain in the ass: another awards event. “You and Fiona, of course.”
“Yup, the whole team who’s up for an award will be there, which leaves one empty spot.”
“Empty spots don’t bother me.” He glared at his friend and business partner, trying to send a silent signal:my personal life is none of your business.
Dex grinned through his beard, rounded cheeks pushing up towards his glasses. “Fiona doesn’t think it’s safe for an eligible bachelor like you to go out on your own.”
