conference on procurement fraud.
After presentation, a man approached.
Daniel.
Older.
More gray.
Same careful eyes.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“I didn’t know you were speaking.”
“I didn’t know you were attending.”
“I work for hospital supply network now.”
“That makes sense.”
Awkward silence.
Then he said:
“You were good.”
“Thank you.”
He started to leave.
“Daniel.”
He turned.
“Coffee?”
His face changed.
Not hope exactly.
Caution.
“Are you sure?”
“No.”
He smiled slightly.
“Honest.”
“Coffee.”
We sat in hotel café.
For first time, I asked about his life without lawyer or therapist
present.
He told me about work.
His mother.
His brother, with whom he had limited contact.
He asked about my firm.
No flirting.
No apology loop.
At end:
“I’m glad you’re well.”
“I’m getting there.”
“Me too.”
We did not reunite.
Not then.
But coffee became another six months later.
Then lunch.
Friendship.
Very careful friendship.
