THE PAPER CHASE: GOODBYE, LOGAN
Elizabeth Logan sat at her desk in her dorm room poring over a thick legal case book. The end of her first year at law school was in sight, and she was eagerly anticipating the second.
Suddenly her concentration was broken by a sharp rapping on the door.
"Hey, Logan!" a voice called. Gregarian, she thought. "Phone for you. Says she's your sister."
Logan's heart skipped a beat; long-distance calls rarely meant good news. She opened her door and ran down the corridor, grabbing the receiver hanging from the phone on the wall. "Sis?"
"Liz, it's Mom. She's been in a car accident. It's serious. You need to come home."
Shock tightened her chest, and tears welled up in her eyes. Her mind raced, torn between her family and her dreams. But deep down, she knew where her priority lay. She had to be there for her mother.
With a heavy heart, Elizabeth made the difficult decision to drop out of law school and the next morning she was in the administration building to make it official.
As she waited at the desk, she noticed Professor Kingsfield approaching, books and seating chart under his arm, his usual purposeful stride.
"Miss Logan, a moment of your time."
"Yes, Professor?"
"I understand you are leaving us."
"How did you know?"
"Word gets around, Miss Logan. My best wishes for your mother."
"Thank you."
"I know it's difficult at a time like this, but have you given any consideration to your plans for your own future?"
"Not really. Except that I'm determined to resume my studies as soon as I can."
"Of that I was in no doubt."
"It's just that I feel I'm letting everyone down - my study group . . . you . . . "
"Nonsense, Miss Logan. Nothing is more important than family. You must go where you are needed."
With that he turned abruptly and left the building. Logan stared after him in astonishment. The dour, stoic professor who struck fear into the hearts of his students had made a point of seeking her out to express empathy and reassurance.
Then it was time.
The study group who had become close friends - Hart, Ford, Anderson, and Bell - gathered in her room, their faces etched with concern and sadness.
"It's not going to be the same around here without you," Hart said, and the others nodded their agreement.
"I'm going to miss all of you terribly - even you, Bell."
"There's no need to get mushy," Bell said, obviously embarrassed, but he allowed her to hug him just the same.
She turned to Anderson next. "Keep'em guessing, slugger."
Anderson grinned. "Always."
They hugged briefly.
"Ford. I'll always be grateful that you invited me into your study group. I've learned so much."
"You've more than earned your place here," Ford said, his eyes glistening. "Of course, that only confirms my superior judgement."
Logan laughed. "You're incorrigible!" she declared, hugging him.
Finally, she turned to Hart. "We've had some good times, haven't we?"
"That we have," Hart replied.
They embraced, the memory of their flirtation during preparation for Moot Court still vivid.
"Goodbye, Logan," Hart said softly.
In the next months, Elizabeth devoted herself to her mother's recovery, navigating medical procedures and negotiating the health care system, in its own way as complex as the law. She was inspired by her mother's resilience and strength but knew it would be a long road. Her own dreams seemed as far away as ever.
Until ...
"Hello?"
Wary of further bad news, Elizabeth had answered the phone with a measure of trepidation, but she was quite unprepared for the voice that she heard from the other end of the line.
"Miss Logan? This is Charles Kingsfield."
"Charles . . .?"
"Kingsfield. From the law school."
"Professor Kingsfield? How did you get this number?"
"My secretary - Mrs. Nottingham - is most efficient. Might I enquire after your mother's health?'
"That's very kind of you, sir. They've moved her into a rehabilitation facility. She's improving, but very slowly."
"Sady, that is not unusual for this type of injury. And what of yourself, Miss Logan? Is it still your intention to pursue a career in law?"
"Of course. But I don't see it happening anytime soon. I- well, I'm the eldest. I have to be here."
"There is an excellent school not far from your locality. I suggest that you consider applying there."
"I've thought of that, sir, but unfortunately it's past their deadline for new applications."
"Nevertheless, I strongly urge you to make the attempt."
"But . . . What are you telling me? Have you- have you put in some kind of fix for me?"
"I do not put in 'fixes', Miss Logan! I . . . may have mentioned your name, but whether or not you are accepted will rest entirely upon your own merits."
"I don't know what to say . . . Thank you. Thank you so much."
"Thanks are unnecessary, Miss Logan. You are an exceptional student who deserves to be afforded every opportunity."
"And you, Professor Kingfield, are nothing but an old softy."
"That, Miss Logan, is something best kept between the two of us."