The Law of Attraction(60)
“You understand the charge, Mr. Whitley, and that you have a right to trial?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“And you wish to waive that right and enter a plea of guilty?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Mr. Whitley answered solemnly. He really was a rather dignified-looking guy. He was even wearing a suit. Looks could be deceiving though.
“Mr. Pierce, please give me the facts of the case.” I tried not to cringe.
“Your Honor, in the early morning hours of May third in the County of Philadelphia, Mr. Todd Whitley drove his automobile through the drive-through lane of a Burger King Restaurant on Broad Street where one LaTanya Wilson was working the late shift. Mr. Whitley placed an order and pulled up to the window. When Ms. Wilson leaned out to collect his money, she saw that he was holding his genitals in his hand and he reportedly asked her, and I quote, ‘Hey baby, do you want to hold my whopper?’ unquote. He then drove off and Ms. Wilson noted his license plate number and contacted the authorities.”
“Mr. Whitley,” Judge Channing said in a reproving voice. “Couldn’t you come up with something more original than that?” Judge Channing looked like he had a bad case of indigestion. “Don’t answer that! Ms. Ginsberg?” he asked, sounding both bored and disgusted.
“Mr. Whitley has no criminal record. He’s a college student studying hospitality management.” Stupid frat boy. I was careful not to mention that he was an upstanding citizen. “He regrets his actions.” Yeah right. Ew.
“Mr. Todd Whitley, you’ve indicated that you understand the charge and you wish to plead guilty. There’s an agreement with the DA’s office?”
“A year probation and sex offender classes, fines and costs,” Braden answered.
“The court accepts the plea and Mr. Whitley is hereby sentenced to a year’s probation, sex offender classes, a one thousand dollar fine and court costs.” The judge banged his gavel. “Court adjourned.” He got up and left without a backward glance. My client smiled a creepy smile at me and reached out to shake my hand. He had to be kidding. I gave him a friendly pat on the arm and wished him luck. Then I went over to my table to pack up my things. That was the last case for the day.
“Hey baby…” Braden smiled.
“Don’t say it!” I warned. He laughed and handed me the order. “Let’s leave early,” I suggested. “I just want to get out of here and go scrub myself off.”
“Sounds good to me. Want to bring your stuff over to my place?” he invited.
“Sure. By the way, we’re sharing a room at my parent’s place too, and I have to admit that I have the same Freudian issues about them hearing us, so I’m really going to try to be quiet tonight.”
“That’s okay. I’m kind of in a quieter mood anyway.” He leaned down and kissed me gently and I smiled up at him. Suddenly, I had the urge to tell him nice things about how I felt.
“I’m glad you’re coming home with me and I really do want you to meet my parents. They’re pretty cool even if the rest of my family isn’t.”
Braden pulled me into a hug and we stood like that for a couple of minutes until I heard an “ahem” come from the direction of the bench. We both pulled back quickly and nervously looked up. Judge Channing had obviously left his glasses behind in his quest to be out of there. I was surprised to see that there seemed to be a kinder than usual, almost amused look in his eyes.
“Err, if I didn’t say it before. Have a nice weekend you two.”
“Thanks Your Honor,” I said with a smile.
“Yes, thank you Your Honor and you too,” Braden added.
“And try not to bring too many crazy cases into my courtroom next week,” he added, but he couldn’t quite match his usual level of gruffness. As he turned I saw something that may actually have been a smile.
* * *
At six that evening our train pulled into Penn Station and we got a cab to my parent’s place on the Upper East Side. Being back in New York always filled me with energy. I loved the noise, the smells, the lights, and the people. New York just always made me feel so alive. We pulled up outside the three-story Brownstone townhouse in the east seventies and my parents were waiting out on the stoop with their arms around each other. Ben and Judy Ginsberg were such a nice couple. Braden and I got out of the cab and grabbed our bags. My father came over to help us and we schlepped our stuff onto the sidewalk as my mom paid the cabbie. Mom and dad pulled me into a ginormous hug and buried me with love. Then they stepped back and looked over at Braden with big bright smiles.