I negotiated a realistic deadline and took the project.

Then I hired a part-time assistant through a transparent contract and paid her promptly.

It was a small decision compared with voting at a Manhattan property meeting, but it gave me a private sense of accomplishment.

When I told Brielle, she asked what a supervisor did.

I explained that my role would include helping newer editors learn how to spot inconsistencies without losing confidence in their work.

“Like when you help me with spelling?” she asked.