L isten I know a good lawyer.” Zevi had his phone out and was scrolling through his contacts.

Aviva tried not to roll her eyes. “Some guy you schmooze with in the cubicle down the row? I need someone tops not some two-bit—”

“He’s tops ” Zevi said touching his screen. “Here. Phil Goldmeier. Partner at Goldmeier and Associates. Not a cubicle in sight at his firm unless you’re the copyboy.”

Aviva was still suspicious. “How do you know about him?”

Zevi grinned. “Oh I got my connections. Here take a look.”

He handed her his phone which displayed a website for Goldmeier and Associates specializing in medical malpractice. “See that landscape in the background? That’s the view from his high-rise corner office. That good enough for you?”

Aviva couldn’t help but laugh despite the incredible stress she’d been under ever since Suri’s visit. It had only slightly begun to dissipate once Zevi had arrived home. Warning him to brace himself for terrible news she’d told him about the lawsuit. To her horror he had actually laughed.

“That’s all?” he’d exclaimed. “I thought someone died or something!”

“All?” she’d cried prepared to launch into a huffy tirade against people who cared so little about their own businesses that they couldn’t appreciate when someone else’s… But she’d stopped herself. Because looking at Zevi it had suddenly hit her: He does care. He cares so much — about me — that he’s trying to make me feel better by joking about it.

And the realization had made her smile so broadly that incredibly she actually did feel a little better.

Yet she had her reservations. “If he’s such a hotshot we’ll go bankrupt just paying his fees even if we win.”

Zevi waved his hand in the air. “Liability insurance my dear. This is what it’s for.”

Aviva’s eyes widened. “You’re sure legal fees are covered? Because if not—”

“Pretty sure. And if not we’ll take out a loan. Don’t worry.”

“Don’t worry?” she spluttered. “A loan? Loans have to be paid back!”

“Not to bring up bad memories but who paid back the entire gemach loan way before it was due?” He thumped his chest.

She shook her head. “We’re talking much more than a small gemach loan. If this isn’t covered we’ll be paying it off the rest of our lives!”

“Aviva.” Zevi held up his hand as his expression suddenly changed softened. “You’ve put your life into this business. I’m getting you the best lawyer there is and if it comes to it I’ll worry about the money.”

Aviva stared at Zevi as a hard-to-decipher emotion welled up inside. She was suddenly reminded of why she’d wanted to marry him so many years ago.

She took a breath. “Okay so you’ll call this Phil Goldmeier and ask him to take on our case? Make sure to check he’s experienced with these kinds of lawsuits because it’s important to—”

“Lawsuit?”

Aviva heart sunk. She hadn’t noticed her mother walk into the room.

“What’s going on here? Is someone suing you?” She stood in the middle of the living room hands on her hips her face as white as Aviva’s own. (Excerpted from Family First Issue 540)