Home Fires

REFLECTION 12: Women and Men

Defending criminals doesn’t bother me in the slightest, and I ought to have told the captain that. Criminality depends upon circumstances much more often than not. “I know you to be a man of the most scrupulous honor, one who cannot be tempted to a shameful or dishonest act, save by money.” I read that somewhere.

It’s not me. If defending criminals is somehow dishonest, why, I can be tempted by nothing at all. I often take pro bono cases.

Nor is it Susan. I would be amazed to learn that the man using her has tempted her with money. Or jewelry, or any such thing. With the offer of a contract? Perhaps, but I would bet against it and give odds. Susan has found a new Mr. Grison, a Mr. Grison who has not betrayed her yet. How I wish that I might find a new Mr. Grison!

Don Miles will never find a new Jane. He will find another girl, and why not? He’s levelheaded, decent, and quite smart. Get him a good job—and I will—and he’ll be able to pick and choose. But not another Jane. For him there can never be another Jane Sims.

Just as there can never be another Chelle Sea Blue for me. We hurried to the elevator, and now we wait. In the elevator we will wait again. And I know that I must save Chelle if I can, and that I’ll lose her—and very soon—whether I save her or not. I long to be the white knight riding to her rescue, Sir Galahad in spotless armor, astride a white stallion. I’ll save her from the bastard who’s got her; and after that, for a night or two, possibly three, I’ll be Sir Galahad.

No longer than three, I’m sure.

What is it women look for in a man? Don’s wanting his Jane back, I understand easily. But why did Jane want her Don all over again? Was it the shared background? They’d been schoolmates after all.

Or was it just that Don was someone she could rely upon? There could not have been many such men, for her. She would’ve had to look for spies everywhere, just as we—but here’s the elevator.