Page 72 - In Five Years

friends, I know they would. And it still stings me that he’s not here. That he
won’t ever be here. That he didn’t see me graduate or accept my first job, hasn’t
been to our apartment, and won’t get to watch me get married.
My parents bugged David and me incessantly during the first two years of our

engagement to set a date, but less so now. I know how much they want this for
me, and themselves. David’s wrong—at this point, they’d probably be fine with

City Hall.
“Okay. My dad might be in the city next week.”
“Thursday,” David says. “I’m already taking him to lunch.”
“You’re the best.”

He makes a noncommittal noise through the phone. Just then, Aldridge walks
into the room. I hang up on David without saying goodbye. He’ll understand. He

used to do the same thing to me all the time at Tishman.
“How’s it looking?” Aldridge asks.
Normally a managing partner would not ask a senior associate how an

acquisition of this magnitude was “looking.” He’d go directly to a senior partner
in the room. But since Aldridge hired me, we’ve developed a real rapport. From
time to time, he calls me into his office to talk about cases, or offer me guidance.

I know the other associates notice, and I know they don’t like it, and it feels
great. There are a few ways to get ahead at a corporate law firm, and being the
managing partner’s favorite is definitely one of them.

Most corporate lawyers are sharks. But I’ve never heard Aldridge so much as
raise his voice. And he somehow manages to have a personal life. He’s been
married to his husband, Josh, for twelve years. They have a daughter, Sonja, who

is eight. His office is peppered with photos of her, them. Vacations, school
pictures, Christmas cards. A real life outside those four walls.
“We’re still in due diligence but should have some documents up for

signature on Sunday,” I say.
“Saturday,” Aldridge hits back. He looks at me, an eyebrow raised.
“That’s what I meant.”

“Did everyone order food?” Aldridge announces to the room. In addition to
the Chinese food cartons on the conference table, there are burger wrappers from
The Palm and chopped salad containers from Quality Italian, but in the middle of

a big deal like this, food is a constant necessity.