The Trial Run

It had been a week of motions, emails, late nights, and a relentless string of deadlines. The usual for me, except it hadn't felt quite so usual lately.

Margot had turned out motion after motion, each one sharp and airtight, with the kind of clarity that only came from someone who knew exactly what they were doing. We were down to the last brief now. One more to go.

I should've felt relieved. And I did, technically.

But that wasn't the whole story. Because somewhere between her dry one-liners and her perfectly punctuated emails, between her rolled eyes at my coffee order and the deadpan delivery of every "no" she threw my way, I'd started looking forward to hearing from her. Maybe more than I should.

From: Bennett Harrington
To: Margot Rowe
Sent: October 10, 7:42 AM
Subject: Motion #3 - Review Requested

Margot-
I've reviewed the draft for Motion #3, and it looks perfect. I made a couple of minor adjustments to the citations, but other than that, I'm filing it now.

You're doing great. Just one more to go.

B

From: Margot Rowe
To: Bennett Harrington
Sent: October 10, 9:16 AM
Subject: RE: Motion #3 - Review Requested

Bennett-
Thanks for the feedback. Honestly, I'm getting tired. But I'll push through the last one.

I can't promise I'll keep up with the same enthusiasm for your three-sugar habit, but I'll finish the final motion.

Margot

From: Bennett Harrington
To: Margot Rowe
Sent: October 10, 12:06 PM
Subject: Trial Prep - Thought You Might Need a Break

You've been powering through these briefs like a machine. Tell me you've at least taken a coffee break.

Also, I'm starting to think three sugars in my coffee isn't that weird. Or are you silently judging me every time I walk into a café?

B

From: Margot Rowe
To: Bennett Harrington
Sent: October 10, 1:45 PM
Subject: RE: Trial Prep - Thought You Might Need a Break

Bennett-
No judgment here. Three sugars is a choice, but it's your choice.

Anyway, I'm almost done with the last motion. I'm pretty sure I'll need another coffee after this.

Margot

From: Bennett Harrington
To: Margot Rowe
Sent: October 10, 2:47 PM
Subject: RE: Trial Prep - Thought You Might Need a Break

You've really never thought about switching to litigation? I mean, you're absolutely killing it.

I get that you don't want to be in front of a crowd, but trust me, the courtroom isn't as scary as it seems.

Anyway, just checking in. Let me know if you need anything.

B

From: Margot Rowe
To: Bennett Harrington
Sent: October 10, 3:21 PM
Subject: RE: Trial Prep - Thought You Might Need a Break

Bennett-
I'm not a litigator. I'm perfectly happy where I am, thanks. I'd rather stay in my office. Alone.

Margot

From: Bennett Harrington
To: Margot Rowe
Sent: October 10, 10:34 PM
Subject: RE: Trial Prep - Thought You Might Need a Break

It's late, I know, but I had to say it-you're doing incredible work.

I get the whole "no public speaking" thing, but I'm stubborn. Keep telling me no, but I'm going to keep asking.

B

From: Margot Rowe
To: Bennett Harrington
Sent: October 11, 5:17 PM
Subject: RE: Trial Prep - Thought You Might Need a Break

Bennett-
No more late-night emails. You're wearing me out.

Margot

From: Bennett Harrington
To: Margot Rowe
Sent: October 12, 12:42 AM
Subject: Almost Done - Last Motion

You're almost there. Last motion in the bag, and I promise you'll have time to breathe again soon.

Don't expect me to stop asking about litigation. I told you-I'm persistent.

B

From: Margot Rowe
To: Bennett Harrington
Sent: October 12, 7:38 AM
Subject: RE: Almost Done - Last Motion

Bennett-
I see that it's 12:42 AM on your last email and I just . . . can't with you anymore. You need to get a grip on your work-life balance.

But fine. I'll finish this last motion. Happy now?

Margot

I leaned back in my chair and stared at my screen, the emails still open.

Just one more motion. Then it would be over.

I should've felt nothing but relief. That had been the goal . . . get the case wrapped, prep for trial, get it done. Simple.

Except it wasn't simple anymore. Not with Margot.

Her writing had bite and clarity and that kind of quiet brilliance you couldn't coach. You either had it or you didn't. And she had it in spades. The kind of work she turned in? You don't produce that if you hate what you're doing.

She could deny it all she wanted, but the truth was in the work. Her precision. Her instincts. The way she structured arguments like they were blueprints to burn a house down: quietly, methodically, beautifully.

And as much as I respected that-God, I respected that-I also just liked talking to her. I liked the way she rolled her eyes at my emails but still answered every one. I liked how she claimed to hate people but always showed up. Always delivered. Always saw things others didn't.

So yeah. One more motion, and it's done.

But I didn't want it to be.