“Yes, I did, and as luck would have it, he’d just finished a job.” He winked. “I convinced him to start on his new case right away.”
“Thank goodness. Sally will be so happy.”
He nodded. “Good. I like making people happy.”
“Coming from a true lawyer.” She chuckled.
“What can I say? I’m a lawyer who likes to see others happy. Except for those who are on the other side of the law, of course.”
“Calvin? Would you ever represent a criminal?”
“Probably not, unless it’s obvious that he was framed, and I can prove his innocence.”
She stared at him in silence, but for some reason it wasn’t awkward. She glanced over his face and attire – navy-blue suit with a white shirt and black tie. He was relieved that she studied him so intently. He hoped she was comparing him to Eddie because Calvin knew the other man would come up lacking.
“Calvin, you know what I’ve realized?”
“No, what?”
“I don’t know much about your father.” She slowly shook her head. “I know my father didn’t like him very much when I was growing up, but I never knew why.”
“I told you he was in a nursing home, right?”
She nodded. “Do you go to see him much?”
“No.”
“Does he remember you?”
“Once in a while, he does.”
She squeezed his fingers lightly. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how that would feel.”
“I’m used to it by now. As I mentioned before, my father started acting this way not long after my mother left her family and moved to Paris.”
“What kind of man was he before he became forgetful?”
Calvin sighed as memories flooded his mind. “He’d been a good father, I guess. He always came to our games. All of my brothers and sisters and I were involved in sports. Dad was always there to cheer us on. We were happy to have at least one parent who cared.”
“I’m glad, too.”
“I wish I could talk to him now.” Calvin frowned. “I’d love to introduce you to him – and see his reaction.”
She laughed. “Gads, don’t I know it? If only my father was still alive, too.”
“Tell me about your childhood. Did you have a good life?”
“Yes. My parents spoiled me since I was the only child, but once I graduated from high school, they were resolved to make me grow up fast. They helped me a little in college, but I went to school full-time and worked part-time. I shared a small apartment with two other girls so that we could afford to pay rent and utilities. Believe me, that was a major culture shock. I was a little snot in school, but thankfully, I matured the way my parents had hoped.”
“I can’t imagine you any different from the way you are now.”
Sighing, she leaned forward. “And how do you see me now?”
“You’re beautiful, but you know that.” He winked. “But it’s more than your looks that makes you the remarkable woman I see.” Still holding her hand, he stroked his thumb across her knuckles. “I see how very intelligent you are and that you have a head for success. You want to do things yourself, which at times will make you stubborn, but it also makes you determined. And I see how much you care about people.”
“Not like you do, Calvin. I’ve never met a man with so much kindness and who thinks of others’ feelings.”
“Don’t praise me so highly.” He shook his head.
