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

there. Carved decades ago with a pocketknife and adolescent solemnity.

E.C.
A.C.

Mine and Aaron’s.

Faded, but not gone.

I ran my thumb over them.

“You kept it in good shape.”

The voice came from behind me.

I didn’t turn immediately. I knew who it was.

“I tried,” I said.

My father stepped up beside me. Not too close. Not far. Just there.

We stood in silence for continue reading …