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I wait as she clicks the blinker on for a left-hand turn.
“Why are you pre-law?”
Of course. The question. It always comes up, and I always give the idealistic answer about challenging myself and serving the public. But I don’t want to bullshit Holly. Also, I’m pretty sure she’d see right through me and call me on it.
So, I give her a bit of the truth.
“It’s the family business. Both my parents are lawyers, and so was my grandfather, Benjamin the second, and his father before him, Benjamin the original. I grew up around legal talk. I understand it. It’s a safe bet for me.”
“Wow. That’s a lot of Benjamins. And lawyers. You find it easy then?”
I lean back in my seat, letting Holly’s questions sink in. “I wouldn’t say easy. Even going part-time, my days are pretty full of studying and writing papers. And this is just undergrad. From the stories I’ve heard, law school is when the real grind starts.” I try not to grimace as I think about it.
“Do you enjoy law?”
Do I enjoy law? I think back, trying to remember if I’ve ever been asked that before. Nothing comes to mind. It’s always been whether or not I’m good at it, which I’m sure I can be.
“Some of it is interesting. And, if you work at a successful firm, then you can make a pretty good living.”
Holly snorts as she merges into another lane. “Way to give me a non-answer, Ben. I wasn’t asking how big your salary would be. I want to know if you enjoy it. If you look forward to becoming a lawyer one day. Does it excite you? Make you happy?”
“Not everyone is going to be super over-the-top happy about their job. Making a decent living is important.”
When did this turn into a debate? And why do I feel like I’m arguing for the wrong side?
“Yeah, I get that. For a lot of people, making enough money to support their family is what makes them happy. But that’s usually because they come from a place of financial instability. You come from a well-off family, so you have the freedom to explore multiple avenues.”
I open my mouth, on the verge of speaking, when I realize that I have nothing to say. Luckily, Holly stops me with a shake of her head while still keeping her eyes solidly on the midday traffic.
“Sorry. I’m attacking you. Let’s just table that. Instead, answer me this; if money and career stability weren’t issues, what would you choose to do?”
That has my mind stumbling, and I blurt out my question without thinking, “No family expectations?”
We’re at a red light, so she can safely take her gaze off the road and examine me. Those dark eyes of hers see more than I want them to.
“No family expectations.” The light turns green, and she smoothly moves us forward.
Again, I debate on giving a false answer, saying, I don’t know, or, I’ve never thought about it.
But how could I lie to a girl who called for my help when she was vulnerable? That’s a dick move.
With a deep breath, I make a decision. “I can show you.”
HOLLY
“Show me?” I flick my eyes over to his side of the car but only for a second because Philly traffic is not something you can navigate on instinct.
Still, my nanosecond glance catches Ben’s fingers reaching for the top button on his shirt. Another quick peek and another button undone.
“Dude, if you want to be a stripper, then go for it, just not while I’m driving.”
Ben’s hands stop. “Hmm. That’s an idea. Probably make some decent cash at it. What would my stage name be?” He taps a finger against his chin like he’s in deep thought. “Ben the Pre-Law Player?” I snort, and he grins. “What about the Dirty Dialysis Dancer?”
I chew my lip as I think and then start bouncing in excitement. “Oh, oh, I know! Benjamin Get-Hard the Fourth!”
There’s a pause, and then the joyous sound of his laughter booms through the car. It’s infectious, and I find myself grinning along with him.
Once he catches his breath and wipes the tears from his eyes, he returns to the task of unbuttoning his shirt.
