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“No. I like this one.”
“Okay. You go get changed and I’ll pick out a shirt and tie for you. Is that okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I know it’s a sign of respect, but it still stings a little when someone who is probably only five years younger than me calls me ma’am. Billy goes to change and I enlist the help of the salesman again to find a shirt and tie.
After we purchase the suit, I take Billy to eat at a restaurant in the mall. After we order, he looks at me.
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“I’m just doing my job, Billy.”
“No, you’re not. No other lawyer has ever bought me a suit or taken me to lunch.”
“Billy, I think everyone deserves a chance to turn their life around. You’ve made a few bad decisions along the way, but nothing you can’t come back from.”
“You don’t think I’m a bad person?”
“No. I don’t. And I think if you’re willing to go to court and tell the judge just what happened on the day in question, you could walk out of there without being charged.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Can we talk about that day? I want to hear exactly what happened and how you’re involved.”
“Okay.”
“And I’d like to record it, so I can have it transcribed for the judge.”
He nods and then starts talking. I listen to Billy’s story, and for the first time, he opens up to me. We spend two hours at the restaurant and when he’s done talking, I truly believe that, at least in this case, he’s innocent.
I reach across the table and pat his hand. “Thank you, Billy. Can you tell the judge the same thing?”
He sighs. “All of it?”
“No, he’ll ask you specific questions. I will have provided your written statement to the judge. He’ll read it before he sees you.”
“Okay. Sure. Do you really think I’ll walk?”
“I really do.”
When the car arrives to take him home, he hands me the suit. “Can you keep this for me? I have a roommate who might do something to it. Or try to sell it.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Maybe it’s time to find a new roommate.”
“Yeah. I guess.”
I take the suit. “Get to the courthouse early so you can change.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“If anything comes up between now and your court date. Please call me. We’re so close now.”
“I will. And I’ll stay out of trouble.”
I give him a smile. “I’ll see you in court.”
When I get home, I can’t help but call Link and gloat a little.
