Good.
And I’m happy to help with the lawyer. I’ll reach out to someone tomorrow and give them your number.
Thank you. It means a lot.
You’ve given me a lot to think about.
With what?
A lot ofthings.
Like?
Let’s talk about it another time. It’s late.
Good night.
I know I’m not getting anything out of him now, so I text him goodnight and go to sleep.
The lawyer reaches out to me first thing in the morning. My eyes are gritty when I open them. It’s not even seven yet. I need more sleep. I can barely understand what he’s saying, but then it hits me thatthis is the lawyerso I jerk up, suddenly wide awake.
“—and this should be a simple process from the information I’ve already gotten on your mother, but you will still have to prove that you want it in order for the judge to vote in your favor.”
“I do,” I blurt. “I want it.”
“Judges don’t like to take custody away from parents, but they will if they have to. And if I can get this case seen by a particular judge, we will have zero problems getting what we want.”
“Yes, whatever it takes. I’ll do it. My sister isn’t safe there.”
“Let’s set up a time to meet and go over everything. Are you available this afternoon?”
“Any time. Just tell me when and where—I’ll be there.”
“I will be at my office in about an hour… I have a few morning meetings. Let’s say one o’clock?”
“Perfect. Where?”
“The Timeworks Building. Thirty-third floor. See you then.”
The call ends and I sit there staring at my phone for way too long. There’s a knock on the door, and I look up to see Cammy standing there all sleepy.
“Who were you talking to?” She shuffles into the room and climbs into bed with me. Her eyes fall closed and she may be sleeping again already.
“The lawyer. I’m meeting him at one.”
“This is a good idea, Cass. Don’t get in your head about it,” she mumbles.
“I’m not.”
“You are because that’s what you do.”
“What do you mean?” I look at her, feeling offended.
Her eyes slowly open.
“You always think you aren’t good enough for anything. That you have to do your absolute best to prove something, but you don’t have to. Just being you, doing what you can, that’s enough.” I can’t think of anything to say back. Her eyes fall closed again. “And you deserve good things too,” she says sleepily.
Of course I have to do my best. There is no other option.