calls her best friend Maria—a lawyer

Susan wasn't going to just sit around and do nothing. As she drove home, her trembling fingers dialed her old friend's number. Maria was her best friend of many years and a well-regarded civil lawyer in the area. The call connected, and Susan's voice came out with a barely suppressed sob: “Maria, I need your help… Can you come over to my place?”

Half an hour later, Maria sat in Susan's living room, her brow furrowed as she listened to the whole story. She was dressed in a sharp, dark-gray business skirt suit, her black hair pinned up—the picture of a professional woman. She tapped her pen lightly on the coffee table and analyzed, “From what you've described, they used a payday advance loan product, which really isn't covered by usury laws in this state. But every contract has a weakness—was the signing process compliant? Were you given adequate time to read it? Did they make any verbal promises? Any of these could be a way in.”

“Also, get your hands on that contract—original or copy—as soon as possible. I refuse to believe there isn't a hidden clause or a calculation error in there.” Maria patted Susan's shoulder, her gaze steady. “Trust me. I won't let those people push you around.”

Just then, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from the front door. A tall, lean young man walked in—Miguel, Susan's pride and joy, who had just started in the engineering program at State U this year. He wore a hoodie with the university logo and carried a stuffed backpack. Seeing the two somber-faced women in the living room, he froze. “Mom? Aunt Maria? It's so late… Is something wrong?”

Susan quickly exchanged a look with Maria, then forced out a smile. “Nothing, sweetie. Aunt Maria just hadn't visited in a while, so we were catching up. Have you had dinner? There's some pie left for you in the kitchen.”

Maria played along, standing up and giving Miguel a warm hug. “Long time no see! Your mom's right—you've gotten so handsome. I bet you're breaking hearts all over campus, huh?”

Miguel felt a little embarrassed by Maria's ample chest pressing against him and joked, “Aunt Maria, your boobs are still so… enthusiastic. I can barely breathe.”

Maria let go and laughed, scolding him playfully, “You little rascal—college taught you how to run your mouth, huh? Now go eat and stop bothering us grown-ups.” She patted his back and shooed him toward the kitchen.

Miguel shook his head with a smile and headed for the kitchen, but as he passed Susan, he murmured, “Mom, if there's any trouble, tell me. I'm not a kid anymore.” Susan's eyes stung, and she almost lost control of her tears. She just nodded.

After finally coaxing Miguel back to his room, Susan and Maria conferred in low voices for a while longer. Before leaving, Maria stressed repeatedly, “Get the contract first, and file the CFPB complaint at the same time—work both angles. Keep me posted on any developments.” After seeing Maria out, Susan returned to her bedroom, opened her laptop, and meticulously filled out the CFPB complaint form, detailing the loan company's threats and her ordeal. After clicking submit, she stared at the “Pending Review” status on the screen and let out a long breath.