The next day I have an appointment with a lawyer. K drives me because he knows the lawyer.
“Where did you find a lawyer who would meet with me so quickly?”
“He’s a contact from the party,” he says, as he searches for a parking spot downtown. “I made a few calls about your situation and someone set this up.”
“Wouldn’t my situation hurt your position in the party?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” K says, laughing. He hasn’t laughed for a while so it’s nice to hear, even though it is at my expense.
“I didn’t get into the details, I just told them a family member was having some kind of legal trouble with the police and that was that. They gave me the name of lawyer in the party, I contacted him and filled him in with some details.” He spots an open parking spot. “Ah, here we go.”
K parallel parks like an expert. “I’ll admit they responded quickly, but apparently this kind of situation happens more than we think.”
“What? Someone the party knows becomes a murder suspect on a regular basis?”
“Don’t be silly.” K’s parking is almost perfect but he still moves the car back and forth to fit even better.
“I’m talking about legal problems, although your situation is a little more serious than most, I’m sure.” K’s parking is proper now and he starts to adjust his tie in the mirror.
“I really appreciate your help, K, but I’m worried about the cost,” I say. None of us in the family makes a lot of money. Enough, but to pay for a lawyer? I’m not so sure.
“He’s a contact from the party,” K says. “And because of that, he’s waiving his fee.”
I open my mouth, but K holds up a hand. “Don’t ask. Just let it go.”