Sycamore Row - John Grisham

adviser had already worn thin. Lucien as a lawyer meant Lucien, the Boss, and Jake
wouldn’t last. But, Lucien the friend was the man who’d given Jake a job, an office, a
career, and was as loyal as anyone.
“Why?” Jake asked.
“I miss it, Jake. I’m too young to sit on the porch. Will you support me?”
The only answer was yes, and Jake quickly said, “Of course, you know I will. But
how?”
“Moral support, Jake, at first anyway. As you know, before I can be reinstated I have
to pass the bar exam, no small feat for an old fart like me.”
“You’ve done it once before, you can do it again,” Jake said with requisite conviction.
He seriously doubted if Lucien could, starting from scratch, grind through a six-month
cram session, studying on his own while trying to lay off the sour mash.
“So, you’re on board?”
“On board how, Lucien? After you’re reinstated, what then? You want this office
back? You want me around as the flunky? Do we go back to where we were eight, nine
years ago?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll figure it out, Jake. I’m sure we can.”
Jake shrugged and said, “Yes, I’m on board, and I’ll help in any way.” And for the
second time that morning, Jake lent his assistance to a budding lawyer in his office.
Who could be next?
“Thanks.”
“While you’re here, a couple of housekeeping matters. Roxy quit and Portia is the
interim secretary. She’s allergic to cigar smoke so please go outside. And keep your
hands to yourself. She spent six years in the Army, knows hand-to-hand combat, plus
karate, and she does not fancy the thought of a creepy old white man pawing at her.
Touch her, and she’ll crack your teeth, then sue me for sexual harassment. Got it?”
“She said this? I swear I’ve done nothing.”
“It’s just a warning, Lucien, okay? Don’t touch her, don’t tell her dirty jokes or make
suggestive comments, don’t even swear in her presence, and don’t drink or smoke
around her. She thinks she’s a lawyer and wants to become one. Treat her like a
professional.”
“I thought we were getting on just fine.”
“Perhaps, but I know you. Keep it straight and clean.”
“I’ll try.”
“Do more than try. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get back to work.”
Leaving, Lucien mumbled just loud enough for Jake to hear, “She does have a nice
ass.”
“Drop it Lucien.”
On a typical Friday afternoon, it was almost impossible to find a judge in the
courthouse or a lawyer in his office. The weekend began early as they all sneaked away