Chapter 64: Indeterminate Actions

John responded, his tone becoming a little sour. "Apparently, that's part of the 'calculated risk' involved," he said. These days, it felt like they were walking a tightrope of ethics. After MemoryTech's demise, the limelight that had followed them had faded and was replaced by a stale, omnipresent sense of struggle. They kept up their advocacy activities, but the din of corporate interests seemed to drown out their voices. The burden of debt was yet another ongoing concern. The weight of John's law school debt was heavy, and their living expenditures were hardly met by his wages. Marie felt guilty and frustrated at the same time as she considered accepting a part-time job. Sensing the tension, Lily extended her plump palm and grabbed one finger from each of John and Marie. A flood of love washed over them as they both cast their gazes down at her. Their dirty, whiny daughter served as a sharp reminder of what is important. John added in a calmer tone, "Maybe we need a fresh