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shove his Bluetooth in his ear while silently condemning California’s hands-free law. “Hello!” he yelled over the engine and street noise.
    â€œHi, Jon,” said Al Simmons, his mentor and a senior partner at his law firm. “I’m going to be tied up in court all day and wanted to touch base with you. Do you have a moment?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œYou know that we consider you a rising star at the firm. However, I’m afraid that doesn’t let you off the hook in following company policy.”
    â€œOf course. What’s up?”
    â€œI know you find pro bono work less of a priority than billable hours, but aside from it being the firm’s policy to provide some sort of community service, you’re now head of the new associates. It’s important that you set a good example. We’ve looked the other way because…well, you know, we wanted to cut you some slack after your divorce, but it’s employee review time, so…”
    â€œThat’s why you called? Don’t worry about it. I don’t—”
    â€œJon! I’m not worried, but you should be. I’ve emailed several times about this, and I get crickets in response. You may not realize it, but the firm has let other promising lawyers go for not following company policy, whatever the policy. So I need you to take this seriously and get something ASAP. Do you understand me?”
    He could hear the threat in his boss’s voice. Jon had put it off time and again—in the middle of his marriage falling apart, it hadn’t seemed important—but yesterday morning after receiving yet another pointed email from Simmons, he’d realized his job was at stake. So, when he’d driven by the Hollywood police station the day before, Jon had followed some gut instinct and turned into the parking lot. He knew it was somewhat unusual, but he didn’t want the longer-term commitment that came with volunteering at a legal aid society. He wanted something quick and easy…and different—something not ho-hum but new, fresh, and totally unlike his typical clients.
    Regrettably his new, totally different pro bono client had been stuck in jail for a second night because he’d been urgently called into court yesterday afternoon on another case. He hadn’t even had time to send a reply to his boss.
    â€œAl, let me reassure you that I’ve just acquired a public defending project, and I’m already working on it. In fact, I’m heading there now.”
    â€œGood. Glad to hear it. I’m back in the office tomorrow, and I’ll want you to tell me about it then.”
    â€œAbsolutely.” Jon got ready to end the call.
    â€œJon? I think of you as a friend, so I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how are you doing? We were all relieved when Val moved to another firm, but I could tell it was a very difficult time for you.”
    â€œThanks, Al, for asking. I’m doing okay, really. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder the size of a boulder when it comes to women, but I’ll get over it.” He didn’t want to talk about it with his boss, even if he was a sort-of friend. “Hey, I’ve got to go now…traffic. Good luck in court today.”
    â€œThanks. Bye.” Al ended the call.
    I’m doing okay, really. That was his standard line when friends or family inquired, but was he?
    Following his acrimonious divorce, Jon had devoted himself to the firm, working tirelessly to win cases and lead the company in billable hours. He wondered if it was as apparent to others as it was to himself that all those late nights and weekends were just a way to avoid the loneliness of an empty apartment and an empty life. His efforts had resulted in him being appointed head of the new hires, a promotion of sorts. Now Jon felt tired but was afraid to slow down. That would let the loneliness he constantly pushed aside seep back in. He sighed. There was