The Fate of Martín (Part V)

The response was the most unexpected. It was an email signed by Silvestre Aldunate, director of the Archdiocese's Legal Assistance Foundation. The email was brief: "I acknowledge receipt of your application. I invite you to a conversation according to your availability this week."

He didn't think twice and responded affirmatively, indicating that he was available the next morning. Within minutes, he received the response: "I'll be waiting for you."

The next morning, he went to the interview without telling Magdalena. The foundation was located right next to the Church of Santa Ana, a massive building with two huge bell towers, painted a dull orange color, in a brick shed.

It was an old building that had been repaired, but it could hide its problems. The entrance to the shed was marked by a large crucifix and a photo of Pope Francis. The secretary greeted him and Martín explained the reason for his presence.

He was made to wait in a room with many wooden chairs, where about 10 people were waiting.

After a while, the secretary took him to Silvestre Aldunate's office, who turned out to be a 50-year-old man, tall, gray-haired, and with a serene and confident attitude.

He greeted Martín and offered him a chair in front of his desk:

"Thank you for coming and for being punctual."

"On the contrary, thank you for considering me."

"I'll be honest with you: you're not the best profile for what we're looking for, but we're in need. We lost two lawyers and we have a lot of work, and I think you need this job."

"How do you know?"

"You don't have to be very perceptive to know who you are. I assume you're not guilty of anything because I know the administration. I also understand that you must be desperate because no one wants to give you a job, and I'm convinced that we should help those who are down. Forgive my frankness."

"Thank you for your sincerity. The truth is that I'm half desperate. I also understand that no one wants to hire me and that they doubt my integrity and professionalism, from any point of view, I'm in a complex situation."

"I understand perfectly. I'm willing to hire you for three months, the salary is quite modest, there are no many benefits, and as you can see, our offices are not luxurious, but if you want to work here, you're welcome."

"Really, I'm available."

"I believe you, but what worries me is that here we work with very poor, marginalized people, without resources, who are going through very dramatic situations, and you have no experience in family law, criminal law, procedural law, or civil law, which is what is most required here. We don't deal with administrative law, which is your expertise."

"I think I should forget about administrative law. That field has closed for me." - and he smiled - "and all I can promise is that I'll study everything I need to be helpful."

"Don't str...