“Hey, Tash, good to see you.”
They shook hands and proceeded from the elevator banks to enter the offices. Connor swiped them in, and as usual, Tash became overwhelmed by the organized chaos. No matter how many times he’d visited Conner here, Tash had never been able to figure out the maze of offices. After a few twists and turns, they arrived at Connor’s office.
“Come on in to the dark side,” said Connor with a grin. Tash had a feeling Connor was only half joking. Files were piled in a haphazard manner, looking like a sneeze would send them toppling to the floor. He had two computers and a desk piled with more files and law books. On the desk were pictures of his wife and baby son.
“How do you find anything in here?” Tash walked in and saw Johnny sitting at the small round table squeezed in the corner. “All set for this?”
The young man who sat at the table was hardly recognizable from the street kid he’d met months before. His hair was washed and cut, his skin was clear, and he’d gained some weight. He wore a suit with a tie and kept touching the jacket sleeve and the lapel as if he couldn’t believe he was wearing it. When he caught Johnny’s eye, the young man flushed. “I never had clothes like this before, but the Ortegas said I needed to look presentable for the judge, so she knows I’m serious.” He smoothed his tie. “Mrs. Ortega took me shopping and bought it for me as a present.”
“You look great, Johnny.” Tash could see the pride Johnny now had in himself in his straight posture and the strong set of his shoulders, but his nerves still broke through in his shaky smile. “Don’t worry. You aren’t the same person you were when you were brought in on the breaking and entering charge. I’ve seen it, and I know the judge will as well.” Tash tried to speak as reassuringly as possible, but the fear remained in Johnny’s eyes.
“Do you think so?” Johnny’s expression was doubtful. “She seemed really tough.”
Connor sat facing them. “All you need to do is tell the truth. Your foster family already put in their report about how you keep the house rules they set for you and help around the house.”
“They’re nice to me, and Mrs. Ortega said she wants to see me graduate college. She said she believes I can do it, like her son did.”
“You can; I know it.” Tash squeezed his shoulder. “There’s no reason you shouldn’t have faith in yourself.”
For once the look Johnny gave him wasn’t clouded with doubt, but with the dawning realization that maybe Tash was right. Those were the looks Tash had become a doctor for—the knowledge of a person’s self-worth. Johnny would make it, and Tash would continue to help others like Johnny in the future.
“Ready, guys?” Connor checked his watch and gathered his files. “Let’s go. It’ll take us about fifteen to twenty minutes to walk to the courthouse on Centre Street.”
Tash and Johnny trailed behind Connor as he led them out of the office and then out of the building. They walked in virtual silence to the court, each with a heavy weight on their mind.
After passing through security, they entered the courthouse, following Connor, who walked through the halls with natural confidence, greeting the other lawyers. They passed by a number of doors, which all looked the same to Tash, until they reached one with a sign outside that read COURTROOM. The detective, Neil Allen, had already arrived in case the judge wished to speak with him as well, and approached Tash with a smile.
“How are you?”
Neil shook his hand. “Well, thanks. And how is everything here?” He peered over Tash’s shoulder. “Johnny looks good. Everything working out okay?”
Tash nodded. “Couldn’t be better. Johnny is working, studying for his GED, and the Ortegas have nothing but praise for him. I think it’s a win this time.”
A tired smile broke out across Neil’s face. “Good to hear. It’s nice to finally receive some positive news for a change.”
“Things still tough with the investigation?” Tash gazed at him with a sympathetic smile.
“We should be able to make an arrest soon.”
He accompanied Neil to sit with him in one of the courtroom rows while Connor and Johnny sat at the desk in the front reserved for the defendants.
“That’s great. I know Jordan will be thrilled.”
“I’m putting in for retirement afterward. I’m glad to see Johnny safe, and the community center is a great thing. You guys are to be commended.” Neil patted him on the shoulder. “Luke’s brother Brandon is even helping, I hear. He seems like a good kid.”
Tash flushed. “He’s hardly a kid; he’s twenty-five.”
“Anyone under the age of forty is a kid to me, Tash.”
They shared a laugh; then Neil sobered up. “”Luke told me about his problems.”
The smile froze on Tash’s lips. “I-I can’t talk about it.”
“All rise.” The bailiff’s announcement cut short their conversation.
At that moment the judge walked in, and they all stood. Tash hadn’t even realized the ADA had entered the courtroom while he and Neil spoke. Tash listened with half an ear to the introductions and the preliminaries.
“Be seated.” The judge, Julia Harrison, seemed no-nonsense. She spent quite a bit of time going through the paperwork, and Tash could see Johnny losing confidence as the minutes ticked away. Connor, to his credit, spoke quietly to him, patting him on the back.
