"Oh," I said in understanding. Back in a time before degrees were needed for a certain positions, Sam had evidently proven herself. And by the time she was let go it would have meant starting all over again. That must have been very bitter for her.

"I took a chance that she hadn't been able to get her foot in the door at another firm and I was right. She's been working four months out of the year as a tax assistant for one of those quick tax refund companies. When I told her ...