She was collecting facts before deciding what to do, and I admired her for that.

Later, Lucas told me he had taken temporary work helping an engineering firm with drafting assignments.

It wasn’t the position he had wanted, and the pay was lower than before.

For months he had refused to apply for jobs he considered beneath his experience.

Now he was considering part-time shifts at a building-supply store while he searched for a permanent role.

“I used to think losing my job meant I had failed,” he said.