Sustained(18)

“It’s going well, thank you. How are you?” His tone is hesitant and polite. The way you’d speak to a stranger—and right now, that’s what I am to him.

“I’m doing good.” I unfold the newspaper from under my arm. “The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Thursday for that health care case. We talked about it last week, do you remember?”

His eyes squint and his finger presses against the lines surrounding his lips, his hand trembling slightly. “No, I can’t recall. Which case was it?”

I open to the front page. “I’ll read it to you. It’s a good article. Lays it all out.”

He leans forward attentively, and I begin to read.

• • •

After the newspaper, we kick back and watch the basketball game. The judge grew up on the south side of Boston, so he’s a die-hard Celtics fan. Or . . . he used to be. As the game winds down, I talk about my week—Milton Bradley and the epic-fail dinner with Camille. And then I tell him about Rory McQuaid.

“He gets halfway down the block, looks me right in the eyes, and gives me the finger.” I chuckle, because it seems a lot funnier now. “Little bastard.”

The Judge smiles. “I knew a boy like that once.”

My chuckles quiet and my smile slows. “Did you?”

His whole face lights up. “Oh yes! He was delightful. Smart and stubborn—a real tough nut to crack—with gray eyes like a storm cloud. He got into some trouble, and that young boy stood before my bench with his chin raised, just daring me to send him away. Like he was ready to spit in the devil’s face. But I could see, deep down, he was terrified.”

And I had been. For the first time in my life, I knew what real fear tasted like.

“There was something special about him, a diamond in the rough. So I had him serve his probation under my supervision. For three years, I owned that kid.”

Yep, three long years.

“I had to teach him to control his temper. He had a short fuse. So I started with the lawn. Each time he finished mowing, hot and sweaty, I’d go out and inspect his work.” He wags his finger. “And I always found spots that he missed. So I’d make him . . .” He starts to cackle, the son of a bitch. “I’d make him go back over the whole lawn with . . . with . . .”

“Garden shears,” I fill in for him.

“Yes! Garden shears.” He laughs loud. “Oh, he hated me those first few months. Probably thought of ten different ways to murder me.”

It was closer to twenty.

“After the yard work, I taught him how to organize, how to repair things around the house. It was good for him—channeling all that energy. And even though he was a very hard worker, I’d always say, ‘Do it right . . .’ ”

Or don’t bother.

“ ‘. . . or don’t bother.’ Then I started to teach him about the work I did. How to research, how to read the statutes. After his probation was up, I offered him a job. A paid intern.” The Judge taps his chin and shakes his head. “He could look at a page once and remember every word. So intuitive, great instincts.” He sighs.

Then he covers my hand with his age-spotted one. “Do you think . . . do you think you could find him for me?”

And I can’t breathe past the lump that clogs my throat.

“I’d like to make sure that boy’s all right. See if he needs anything.” His green eyes earnestly look into mine.

I clear my throat loudly. “Um . . . I, ah . . . I did find him for you. I checked up on him. He’s doing really well—you don’t have to worry. He’s on his way to making partner. And he . . . asked me to tell you how grateful he is, for everything you did for him. All the things you taught him.” I blink against the burn in my eyes. “He hopes . . . he wants to make you proud.”

The Judge gives me a peaceful, relieved smile. “I’m sure I would be proud. He was always a good boy.”

The two of us fall quiet again, watching the game. Until there’s a knock on the open bedroom door. And Marietta—one of the volunteers here—walks in with a smile and a tray of dinner for the Judge.

“Good evening, Mr. Atticus and Jake. How you are you two doin’ tonight?”

Marietta is originally from Jamaica, with large midnight eyes, dark skin, and long black hair that falls in a cascade of braids down her back. Her father was once a resident here, and after he died a few years ago, she started volunteering.

“Hey, Marietta.”

She sets the tray of food down on a corner table with wheels and brings it between us.

“How was his week?” I ask her quietly, the judge’s attention still on the television.