{"product_id":"i-was-told-it-would-get-easier-isbn-9780451491893","title":"I Was Told It Would Get Easier","description":"\u003cb\u003e“Abbi Waxman is both irreverent and thoughtful.”—#1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author Emily Giffin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSquashed among a bus full of strangers, mother-daughter duo Jessica and Emily Burnstein watch their carefully mapped-out college tour devolve into a series of off-roading misadventures, from the \u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Bookish Life of Nina Hill. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJessica and Emily Burnstein have very different ideas of how this college tour should go.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor Emily, it's a preview of freedom, exploring the possibility of her new and more exciting future. Not that she's sure she even wants to go to college, but let's ignore that for now. And maybe the other kids on the tour will like her more than the ones at school. . . . They have to, right?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor Jessica, it's a chance to bond with the daughter she seems to have lost. They used to be so close, but then Goldfish crackers and Play-Doh were no longer enough of a draw. She isn't even sure if Emily likes her anymore. To be honest, Jessica isn't sure she likes herself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTogether with a dozen strangers--and two familiar enemies--Jessica and Emily travel the East Coast, meeting up with family and old friends along the way. Surprises and secrets threaten their relationship and, in the end, change it forever.\"Known for her charming and comical novels, Abbi Waxman's latest book stirs up all of the signature smiles and laughs.\"\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eWoman's World\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Waxman shines at creating characters that feel like best friends, inspiring compassion, laughs, and cheers, and fans of Katherine Center and Linda Holmes’ \u003ci\u003eEvvie Drake Starts Over\u003c\/i\u003e (2019) will adore this.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e“Waxman expertly navigates the fraught shoals of college admissions in this spot-on tale…. Waxman’s alternating first-person narration from Jessica and Emily rings true, while a memorable supporting cast…provide excellent support…This sweet treat doesn’t require a college-bound child to enjoy, though anyone who has helped their offspring weather the admissions process will definitely appreciate this sharp send-up.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e—Publishers Weekly\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e“Funny and insightful.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eBookRiot\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e“We’re forever fans of Abbi Waxman’s sweet, witty, feel-good novels. Her latest, about a mother and daughter making college visits along the East Coast, is her best yet.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003eHelloGiggles\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\"An aptly and hilariously titled novel…Waxman again delivers with her signature wit and laugh-out-loud writing, offering us authentic characters who feel like people we’ve met and loved in our own lives — all while offering sly commentary on the roller coaster that is the college application process for parents and their college-hopefuls.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eShondaland\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e“This book’s strengths are the exploration of the mother-teen daughter dynamics and relationship and the author’s remarkable gift for realistic, witty dialog. VERDICT: Recommended for fans of mother-daughter fiction with both lighthearted and serious moments.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journa\u003c\/i\u003el\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e“Abbi Waxman's warm, quippy novels explore familial dynamics with sarcastic wit and plenty of heart…. Being a teenager--or parenting one--is tricky territory, but Waxman steers her characters through it with compassion, snappy dialogue and the right dose of zany humor. Things may (or may not) get easier for the Burnstein women, but the ride, literal and otherwise, is highly enjoyable.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePraise for\u003ci\u003e The Bookish Life of Nina Hill\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Move over on the     settee, Jane Austen. You’ve met your modern-day match in Abbi Waxman.     Bitingly funny, relatable and intelligent, \u003ci\u003eThe Bookish Life of Nina     Hill \u003c\/i\u003eis a must for anyone who loves to read.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cb\u003eKristan Higgins\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew     York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of\u003ci\u003e Life and Other     Inconveniences\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Meet our bookish millennial heroine—a modern-day Elizabeth Bennet, if you     will… Waxman’s wit and wry humor stand out.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Washington Post\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Abbi Waxman offers up a quirky, eccentric romance that will charm any     bookworm…. For anyone who’s ever wondered if their greatest romance might     come between the pages of books they read, Waxman offers a heartwarming     tribute to that possibility.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eEntertainment Weekly\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  “It's a shame \u003ci\u003eThe Bookish Life of     Nina Hill \u003c\/i\u003eonly lasts 350 pages, because I wanted to be friends     with Nina for far longer.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eRefinery29\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “I hope you're in the mood to be downright delighted, because that's the     state you'll find yourself in after reading \u003ci\u003eThe Bookish Life of     Nina Hill\u003c\/i\u003e.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003ePopSugar\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “\u003ci\u003eThe Bookish Life of Nina Hill \u003c\/i\u003ewill put a smile on your face     the entire time you’re reading it. It’s a light, fun summer read with a     cast of colorful and lovable characters that you wish were real and that     you had on your trivia team. This book is the perfect beach read or     pick-me-up for a cloudy day.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eHypable\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “[A] quirky, sweet story.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eWoman’s World\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “In this love letter to book nerds, Waxman introduces the extraordinary     introvert Nina Hill…. With witty dialogue and a running sarcastic inner     monologue, Waxman brings Nina to vibrant life as she upends her introverted     routine and becomes part of the family. Fans of Jojo Moyes will love     this.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Waxman has created a thoroughly engaging character in this bookish,     contemplative, set-in-her ways woman. Be prepared to chuckle.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirkus     Review\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e(starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Book nerds will feel strong kinship with the engaging, introverted Nina     Hill, who works in a bookstore, plays pub trivia, and loves office     supplies… Readers will be captivated by Nina’s droll sense of humor.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBooklist \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e(starred     review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “...charming and relatable for any introvert who would rather pass time     with fictional characters than people, but will rise to the occasion with     the right support.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—\u003cb\u003eBookTrib\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Book lovers will absolutely relate to the central character in Abbi     Waxman's third novel.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eO, The Oprah Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “If you relate to staying in and JOMO (joy of missing out), you’ll relate     to Nina.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBetches\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “[F]ast, light, and fun.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eModern Mrs.     Darcy\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003ePraise for Abbi Waxman\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Brilliant. Simply brilliant. \u003ci\u003eThe Garden of Small Beginnings\u003c\/i\u003e is     funny, poignant, and startling in its emotional intensity and in its     ability to make the reader laugh and cry on the same     page . . . I loved this book!”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cb\u003eKaren White\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew York     Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author of the Tradd Street Novels\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “This is my favorite kind of book—hilarious, sad, joyful. Beautifully     written. Fun. I dare you not to enjoy it.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cb\u003eJulia Claiborne Johnson\u003c\/b\u003e,     author of \u003ci\u003eBe Frank With Me\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Meet your new favorite writer.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe     Daily Beast\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Waxman’s skill at characterization . . . lifts this     novel far above being just another ‘widow finds love’ story. Clearly an     observer, Waxman has mastered the fine art of dialogue as well. Characters     ring true right down to Lilian’s two daughters, who often steal the show.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirkus     Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Kudos to debut author Waxman for creating an endearing and realistic cast     of main and supporting characters (including the children). Her narrative     and dialog are drenched with spring showers of witty and irreverent     humor.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e(starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “\u003ci\u003eThe Garden of Small Beginnings\u003c\/i\u003e is a quirky, funny, and deeply     thoughtful book.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eHelloGiggles\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Waxman’s voice is witty, emotional, and often profound.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eInStyle \u003c\/i\u003e(UK)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “This novel is filled with characters you’ll love and wish you lived next     door to in real life.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBustle \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbbi Waxman\u003c\/b\u003e is the \u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eI Was Told It Would Get Easier\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Bookish Life of Nina Hill\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eOther People’s Houses\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Garden of Small Beginnings\u003c\/i\u003e. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and three children.\u003cp\u003e1\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eJessica Burnstein, 45, full of optimism\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI left the house this morning, determined to take the day by the horns and throw it over my shoulder like a scarf, if necessary. I'd had two cups of coffee, I'd remembered to floss, and I was going to tell my boss the crap with Valentina simply wasn't going to fly anymore.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eForty minutes later, because this is Los Angeles and it takes forty minutes to go anywhere, at any time, I walked into the office slightly less full of beans and with \"TiK ToK\" by Kesha stuck in my head. I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about that, but it was the last thing playing when I turned off the car. \u003ci\u003eThe party don't start till I walk in\u003c\/i\u003e . . . If only I had half her confidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI could hear John before I could see him, which was par for the course. Classic iron hand in the velvet glove, my boss, and if occasionally the gloves are fingerless and the fingers a little bit stabby, so much the better. Southern to the core, with all the civility and elegance that implies, but with a Yankee carpetbagger's eye for profitable misery. Our law firm doesn't openly chase ambulances, but John does love a tearful plaintiff. He can smell salt water before it steps off the elevator.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI spotted his head over a carpeted cubicle wall. It was angled in such a way that I knew he was with a client. Maybe even a potential client; there was an especially unguent quality to the way his hair fell over his forehead, his eyes hooded with concern. He's handsome, in the way any large predator is handsome-best appreciated from a safe distance. Up close the extra rows of teeth tend to be a distraction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs if feeling my disapproval, John looked up and spotted me.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Ah, Jessica!\" he said as if his whole pitch had been waiting for this moment. \"You must meet our newest client.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs there were nearly half a dozen legal assistants in cubicles between the two of us, we both charted an intersecting course and met up-as if by magic-by the impressive double doors to the office suite.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Mrs. Falconer, this is Jessica Burnstein, a partner and one of our most brilliant attorneys.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe woman, who was older than I had suspected from John's level of intensity, gazed tremulously up at me. \"Will she be on my case?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"No,\" said John firmly. \"I will be handling your case myself.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOlder and richer, then.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe lady and I shook hands, and I applied the carefully calibrated smile lawyers use when they're meeting someone who has probably been wronged in some way but whose opportunity for vengeance\/justice has arrived. The smile says, \u003ci\u003eYou're fine now, but I'm sorry for your loss\/accident\/partial dismemberment\/inability to compete internationally in your chosen sport\u003c\/i\u003e. After nearly twenty years of practice, it comes pretty easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn ushered Mrs. Falconer to the elevators, and I headed to my office. As I passed Laurel, my assistant, I told her to ask Valentina to come and see me.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eValentina is younger than me, hungrier than me, and after my job. I'm her mentor, so that's fine with me. It's been eight or nine years since I took her under my wing; she's ready to leave the nest, and I'm ready to make room. However, John was using Valentina's future as a stick to prod me with, and I was tired of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eValentina came in and shut the door behind her. She slinked-there is no other word, unless it's slunk-across the carpet and flowed into a chair. It's not her fault she's a partial liquid; she was born that way. Natural beauty is no more of an achievement than deformity is a punishment-it just is. Valentina is incredibly smart, and one of the hardest-working lawyers I've ever met. In a business where appearance contributes to success, she makes sure the first impression of beauty is quickly overwhelmed by the second and more lasting impression of competence. Beauty always fades, but it lasts so much longer if you lay a thick layer of intelligence and integrity underneath it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Good morning, Jess,\" said Valentina. \"How goes it?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"It goes,\" I replied evenly. \"I have a feeling John is going to talk to me today about making you a partner.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Excellent.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Yes, except I think he's going to be a sneaky bugger about it.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHer delicately arched eyebrows rose a little. \"In what way?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI shrugged. \"In some way I haven't anticipated yet, because he likes to keep me on my toes. Has he said anything to you?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe shook her head. \"Nope. Not a word.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI looked at her. Was it possible she was lying? A momentary flicker of doubt . . . but she saw it in my eyes and leaned forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Jessica, he's not the only one with a plan, remember? Don't underestimate me. I want to make partner, and I want you to be head of litigation so I can slipstream you all the way to the Supreme Court.\" She sat back. \"Jessica, a wise woman once pointed out to me that men have dominated the legal profession for decades and used their collective power to improve things for other men, both inside and outside of the law. It's our turn now.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Who told you that? Me?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"No, my grandmother.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The one that's a judge?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"No, the one that's a hairdresser.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Right.\" I paused. \"So . . . you're ready?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"I'm ready, and so are you. Go on your trip and don't let him ruin it by coming along inside your head.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"That's a horrible thought.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe stood up, again appearing to defy the laws of physics. \"You're welcome.\" She turned and walked to the door, pausing once more. \"Plus, if you can handle a sixteen-year-old girl, you can handle a fifty-five-year-old guy.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"You would think.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe left, and I swung my chair around and gazed out the window. Across the canyons of downtown Los Angeles was a skyscraper that featured a glass slide on the outside of the seventieth floor. My daughter Emily and I had gone down it once, and I'd been much less scared than I'd expected. The thought of the lawsuit that would arise from dropping a tourist a thousand feet onto a busy stretch of downtown LA told me they'd probably made the slide strong enough to drive a truck down. Emily had stopped halfway down the slide to examine the construction and post pictures to Instagram, and afterwards we'd had one of the few conversations in recent memory that hadn't devolved into an argument about her future. I thought about our upcoming trip to visit colleges, and wondered if we could work something life-threatening into the itinerary every day in order to maintain the peace.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLaurel buzzed me. \"Jessica, John wants to see you in his office when you have a minute.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Alright, let him know I'm on my way.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut I waited ten minutes, because, you know, power move.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn was sharpening his scythe as I came in-wait, did I say scythe? I meant pencil.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Ah, Jessica.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI wondered if he always said ah before he said my name, and I'd somehow failed to notice it. Maybe he thought my name was Ahjessica?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"John,\" I replied, proving that we were at least each talking to the right person. I started to sit down, whereupon he told me to take a seat, as if I'd been waiting for permission. That BS might work on a junior lawyer, but I'd been at this game too long.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Already taken, thanks,\" I said. \"How can I help you?\" By phrasing it that way, I put him on the back foot, because he'd actually requested my presence, not my help. Pay attention, folks, it's a master class in here.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"You can't,\" he laughed, which is why he's the boss. \"But I wanted to talk to you about Valentina.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI nodded and waited.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe leaned forward. \"Look, you and I are similar people. We know how things work, right?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eForced teaming. Google it. It's what manipulators do to make you feel a connection they can then exploit. I've read \u003ci\u003eThe Gift of Fear\u003c\/i\u003e (which everyone should), so I said, \"I don't think we're all that similar, John, and you wanted to talk about Valentina?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSidenote: I actually like John, despite the fact he often behaves like a jerk. He's an incredible lawyer who thinks better on his feet than most people do sitting down, and he's taught me everything I know. But I trust him only because I know how he lies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn smiled. \"I like Valentina, she's extremely capable.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Yes.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe regarded me narrowly for a moment, then relaxed his face. It's his way of miming, \u003ci\u003eI'm not sure I understand you . . . Wait, now I get it because, damn, I'm smart.\u003c\/i\u003e He must practice in a mirror. \"I know you think she should make partner this year.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"I thought she should have made partner last year.\" My face betrayed nothing, which I'm long past practicing in a mirror.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"But there is the issue of the board.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMy breathing was steady. \"In what sense?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Well, you know . . .\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"No, I don't.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The board wouldn't want it to look like we were, you know, reacting to current events.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Which current events, John? Please speak plainly.\" (Again, sidenote: When buying time, phrase your delaying tactics as mild criticism--\u003ci\u003eI'm sorry, that didn't make sense\/Please restate that, it wasn't clear\/Your language is garbled, please remove that scorpion from your mouth\u003c\/i\u003e. It makes your conversational opponent scramble a little. Side sidenote: If your questioner has a scorpion in her mouth, deal with that first.)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe appeared to be mildly uncomfortable, which is one of his tells. John has never been mildly uncomfortable in his life; he was about to lay on a thick layer of BS.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Well, the #MeToo thing, the harassment thing . . .\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI raised my eyebrows, waiting for him to continue.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The board is concerned if we promote too many women at once, it will look like we're reacting to social pressure.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Social pressure to promote capable people?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Women.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Which other women are up for partnership?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Janet Manolo. Just Janet.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI took a breath. \"And the board thinks making two women partner in one year is too many? Last year you made three men partners and no one wondered about that.\" I suddenly thought of the RBG quote about enough women on the Supreme Court being nine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe capped and uncapped a pen. \"Well, there was the thing with Jackson . . .\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJackson was a dirty word around the office. He was a partner who'd been fired earlier that year, much to the satisfaction of every other lawyer in Los Angeles, most of whom had hated him for years. I frowned at John and angled my head slightly. \"The 'thing' being the way he offered an assistant a gram of coke to show him her breasts? Are we calling that a 'thing' now? It was illegal, it was repulsive, and it was why he got fired and sued in civil court. What on earth does Jackson's inability to do his job have to do with Valentina's brilliance at hers?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"It's not me, Jessica, it's the board. They're worried about how it looks.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI frowned, and bounced my foot. \"John, you're forgetting who you're talking to. Please spell out what you mean, because I'm going out of town in two days and I don't have time to parse and reparse what you're saying, looking for clues.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn pretended to consider whether to speak plainly or not, when obviously he'd been working up to this moment the whole time. He'd manipulated me into asking him to do it so he could make me responsible. I think I'm pretty good at directing testimony, but John really is a master.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe turned up his palms. \"Look, if you really want me to spell it out . . .\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI said nothing. Fool me once.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn hesitated, which he only ever does on purpose. \"Valentina is a woman. She's . . .\" Again, pretending to be uncomfortable, John continued, \"A very attractive woman. The board is concerned if we promote her to partner this year, this soon after the Jackson thing . . .\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI uncrossed my legs and leaned forward. \"Stop calling it a 'thing,' John, like it was an adorable eccentricity. He didn't wear cowboy hats in the office or collect Disney miniatures. He broke several laws, state and federal, traumatized another human being, and cost the firm millions of dollars and untold reputation points.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Precisely. The board is worried if we make Valentina a partner this year, people will think it's payback for Jackson. That he did something to her, and we're making her a partner to keep her quiet.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI considered this for a moment. It was perfect in its evil, sexist subtlety.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Let me see if I understand you, John.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe raised his eyebrows at me, and for a split second I saw that he was actually unsure what I was going to say. He doesn't like to be in that position. I put him out of his misery.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"You're saying that a brilliant lawyer, a woman who has worked for the firm for over a decade, brought in major clients and extensive revenue, who regularly speaks on international panels and authors articles in journals, in two languages-\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"I know Valentina is qualified, Jessica.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI raised my hand. \"You're saying this person cannot be promoted as she deserves because another lawyer-a male lawyer-behaved like a total pig.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Well, people might assume . . .\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"That she only got promoted because she had dirt on Jackson? The implication being that he assaulted her, too, but rather than coldcock him into next week and have him arrested, she would use it to further her own career?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor the first time in my experience, John genuinely looked uncomfortable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"You know how people talk, Jessica.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI shook my head. \"No, John, I know how male lawyers talk, and how they assume other people think. Valentina deserves to make partner because of her work. That should be the only criterion, John, and would be the only criterion if she were a man.\" I was steamed. \"Let me be very clear. If you don't promote Valentina-and Janet, who also deserves it-I will resign in protest.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn looked at me calmly, and I suddenly wondered if he'd wanted to force me into this position all along. \"If you do that, people will think it's because of Jackson, too.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI took a breath. \"John, not everyone looks at the actions of women and assumes that somewhere a man is responsible for them. That's you.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Berkley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46305096138981,"sku":"NP9780451491893","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780451491893.jpg?v=1767729737","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/i-was-told-it-would-get-easier-isbn-9780451491893","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}