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The words catch me off guard. I spent years winning motions, negotiating settlements, and arguing before judges. None of those accomplishments ever resonated with me like this one.

“Thank you,” I tell her earnestly.

Mrs. Alvarez pats my arm. “No, thank you.”

I watch her step outside before heading back toward my office, or what passes for one. It’s a converted bedroom with built-in dressers I now use as my filing cabinet.

Instead of a corner office and floor-to-ceiling windows, I have a converted worktable as a desk, a bookshelf full of community resource guides, and a chair that squeaks every time I lean back. Oddly enough, I love every part.

“How’d it go?” asks Melinda, leaning in the doorway.

I open my cabinet and file the case folder away. “Good. She finally believes we’re actually going to help.”

Melinda laughs earnestly. “That’s usually the hardest part.”

A volunteer walks past carrying a box of donated winter coats despite it being spring. Someone else is hanging flyers for a fundraising event. The entire place runs on equal parts organization and optimism.

Melinda watches my gaze over the scene and asks, “Do you ever miss private practice?”

Glancing around I take it all in. The mismatched furniture. The community board covered in thank-you notes. The conference room, which is a converted dining room someone painted sage green for no reason other than it made people feel calm. I think about Mrs. Alvarez and the relief in her voice.

“Sometimes,” I admit. Leaving behind the respect and prestige I worked for all my life isn’t so simple. “But not as often as I thought I would so far.”

Melinda’s face bursts into a big grin and she heads out. Stewart, the property manager, waves at me as he walks by with a step ladder under his arm and a toolbelt around his waist.

Working at Cascadia Legal Partners, I know I made a positive impact. I helped women protect their assets in marriage as well as navigate the complexities of co-parenting agreements. The firm gave me the ability to work on cases like Lena’s, which finally felt like moving in the right direction. But here, the difference is tangible, real. Plus, my clients aren’t looked at like price tags. For the first time in a long time, the future doesn’t feel like something chasing me. It feels like something waiting. My phone buzzes with the Zentrology group chat.

Nessa

Phi, I handed out your new LLC business cards. These two parents were hardcore fighting in the pick-up line; I casually placed it in her Chanel bag, so you know they’re loaded. Lane Legal LLC is a fine name I guess, but I seriously think you should have named your company Ashes & Alimony. It’s a missed branding opportunity.

Mack

I’d hire Ashes & Alimony.

Becca

Same.

You are all banned from making marketing decisions. But thank you for sharing my card I already got a client inquiry from Becca’s guy shopping for a rental in a good school district. Appreciate you all.

Becca

Anytime.

Nessa

Second choice was Phoenix Rising

Too on the nose.

Nessa

Nessa

Also Phi, I pulled a tarot card for you this morning.

Becca