“I can’t afford Graves Energy lawyers.”
“You won’t be billed,” Nathaniel said.
“I don’t want charity.”
“It’s not charity.”
“Then what is it?”
Nathaniel glanced at Eleanor’s letter.
“Responsibility.”
Claire refused to sign anything.
That surprised Nathaniel less than Ruby expected.
Instead, he gave Claire copies of every document and the contact information for an independent housing attorney named Sofia Ramirez.
“She doesn’t work for me,” Nathaniel explained. “I contacted her office because I wanted you to have someone whose responsibility is only to you.”
Claire studied the card.
“You’re paying her?”
“I offered to cover the initial consultation through a legal-aid fund.”
Claire hesitated.
“I can accept a consultation.”
Nathaniel nodded.
“That’s all I’m asking.”
Ruby sat beside her mother swinging her feet.
Her sandwich had finally been finished.
She still had questions.
A lot of them.
“Why was Mom’s name on the file?”
