My Father Mocked Me for Coming to Court Without a Lawyer, But the Judge Opened My File and the Whole Room Went Silent

changed.

I watched him go.

When I finally stood, the room felt lighter. Or maybe I was simply carrying less of his version of me than when I walked in.

I gathered the folder, slid it back into the leather case, and as I moved toward the door I slipped a hand into my pocket and touched the edge of the compass.

Still there. Still steady. Still pointing somewhere continue reading …