The Judge Who Recognized My Name

Nobody moved.

Vivian’s face had lost all color. Caleb straightened slowly beside her, confusion flickering for the first time behind his polished expression.

I sat frozen at the petitioner’s table with one hand against my burning cheek and the other wrapped protectively around my stomach.

The baby moved again.

Strong.

Alive.

Thank God.

Judge Holloway stared at the file in front of him as if it contained something radioactive.