"Jack?"

"Yeah?" Jack Raydor looked up from the textbook he was reading. It lay on the coffee table of his tiny student housing apartment, with an array of notes and papers. Finals started in two days, and he wanted to make sure he was ready. There would be no second chances.

"Look at this." Sharon, his long-standing girlfriend, and (hopefully) soon-to-be fiancée, slid a newspaper across the table to him.

"What am I supposed to be looking at?"

She ran her slim fingers down the classifieds, reading upside-down. "The L.A.P.D is looking for new recruits. $46,583 per year. That'd pay for a lot of school."

He stared at the large ad. The Los Angeles Police Department is now recruiting. Applicants must have a high-school degree or equivalent. Starting salary is $46,583, DOE. Apply in person at Parker Center front desk. "Shar, what about your classes?"

She shrugged. "I'd rather have a job and take classes at night or over the summer and come out with less debt than graduate on time. Your costs are $40,000, including tuition and everything, and that job could cover that."

He looked down again, frowning. "What about your classes?"

She looked away. "I can go part-time, nine credit hours, one-twenty per hour. So that's-" She paused to calculate the answer in her head. "One thousand and eighty. We could manage that, I think, with your job to pay for groceries and gas."

Jack watched her. She fidgeted, twisting her auburn hair around one finger. Even a part-time law student had a lot of work to do. "Are you sure you can manage a full-time job with-"

She shook her head once, cutting him off. "I think so. Even if I can't do it, that job would get you through school."

"Shar, it's not just about me."

"You've got a better shot at being a lawyer. You've got better grades, and just. . . I can't wrap my head around cases like you can."

They were silent for several minutes. A bus passed outside, and the neighbors' bass rumbled through the wall.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." It came out as a breathy half-sigh. They both knew the likely outcome of such a deal. She wouldn't get her diploma for some time, maybe never.

"Okay. I'll drive downtown with you tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"Thank you, Shar."