I’m working again! It’s a temp job, receptionist in a small law office specializing in representing plaintiffs in workman’s compensation cases, so it’s on the bright side of the ethics line. The person I’m replacing won’t be returning, so, fingers crossed, I can keep doing it through Aidan’s recital and my acquisition of a job with insurance.

The lawyers in this office are nice people, and these cases last for years, so many of their clients are quite attached to them. A lot of my job, as well as that of the paralegal in the office, is to find answers for clients, or to relay answers from the lawyers. Because I’m the least busy person there, I get to listen to people’s stories with sympathy and reassurance. I really like that part.

After less than two weeks I have encountered two cases of people reluctant to cash checks. One case was a six-figure settlement, the payment exactly the amount expected. The other was an ongoing series of disability payments. Why not take the money and run?

Because people are honest and cautious. Even after enduring exams and treatments, depositions and trials, people don’t want to take what isn’t theirs, and certainly don’t want to take a chance on taking something and having to pay it back later. The person with the settlement wanted to be sure some of it wasn’t due to the lawyers. It wasn’t. The person with disability had a recent change in employment status, and wasn’t sure he was still due payments. He was.

I am enjoying getting to know these people, though some of their stories are sad, and the wheels of justice grind slowly. Some people have had multiple incidents. Some are young, and struggling with a life of decreased mobility much sooner than they would have expected. Many are anxious to avoid addiction, even when it means enduring more pain.

These unfortunates exhibit so much more grace, resilience, resolve, and acquiescence than the talking heads spewing rancor from “both aisles” of our divided country, it’s hard to believe they belong to the same species.

In case the thought of pundits is raising your blood pressure, please admire these ochre stars–there are at least four in the photo. I saw 25 or 30 during minus tide yesterday. Each has a radius of about five inches.