Chapter Two #2
“I…I’m at a loss for words. It’s obviously a great honor to be sitting here with you and to be told my work has garnered the attention of jurists such as yourself.”
Judge McCourt chuckled. “A true politician’s answer. Does that mean you are interested? There will be a vacancy on the Supreme Court. Judge Rodriguez is being appointed to the federal bench, and her term is up. The election would be in the summer.”
“That’s wonderful for her. And yes. Yes, I am interested.” I’d be a fool to turn down an opportunity like this.
“That’s good to hear.” Our food was placed in front of us, and I took several bites. Judge McCourt set his fork on his plate and fixed me with the weight of his famous penetrating stare. “There’s just one thing.”
I returned the fry I’d been about to dip into ketchup to my plate. “Which is what?”
“Several members of the party are concerned about your personal life.”
A sour taste rose in my mouth.
“I’m an out gay man, Judge McCourt. I’ve never hidden who I am, and I’m not about to start now.”
“Now, come on, Jaxon. Have you heard me say anything about your sexuality?” Judge McCourt’s expression darkened, and his eyes narrowed. “If you were straight, I’d be talking to you about the same thing.”
“What thing?”
“Your dating life is rather…interesting. You don’t have a steady partner, a boyfriend, do you?”
“No. I don’t.” I wasn’t sure where this was headed, but I was certain I wouldn’t like it.
“While it may be an outdated way of thinking, judges are looked up to as people who should be above reproach.”
“And I’m not because I’m gay and single?” I forced nonchalance as my heart pounded, taking a fry and eating it. “That’s pretty ridiculous.”
“There are plenty of single judges. And gay judges. That’s not the point. But a judge should be circumspect and think about their image. There’s not a lot of wiggle room. And if you want to go beyond the Supreme Court—”
“Beyond?” The two of us, sitting here, planning out the rest of my life, was making my head spin. And yet…I was intrigued. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t dream of this opportunity. “What are you saying?”
“I see you having the potential to represent the people in other ways. Politically. And if that’s the case, the scrutiny will be intense, and your personal life will become public fodder.” He took a bite of his fish. “And yours has been rather lively, from my recollection.”
I winced and ate some of my sandwich without really tasting it.
There was no way I could deny Judge McCourt’s words.
In my twenties, I’d been a regular at the clubs and would go home with a different man each night.
I hadn’t slowed my roll until approximately a year ago and only because the work was piling up. It still rankled, though.
“To be perfectly frank, what does my sex life have to do with my performance in whatever capacity?”
“Between us? Nothing. I don’t give a damn.
” Judge McCourt met my eyes with honesty.
“But it’s not me you’ll have to convince.
It’s old lady Perkins in Overlook or crotchety Mr. Wilson in Harmony Rock who might not be as enlightened, and when they go to the polls to vote, they can easily be swayed by an opponent who will make his or her solid marriage or quiet family life part of their platform. You know how the game is played.”
“It doesn’t mean I have to agree or go along with it. I’m not doing anything wrong,” I argued.
“And, as I said, I’d be saying the same thing to you if you dated women.
We like to think we’ve evolved, but the fact remains—people look up to judges.
They want them to be model citizens. And in some respects, they’re correct.
A judge shouldn’t be seen dancing on tables or staggering out drunk from a club with his shirt off. ”
My stomach bottomed out. I hadn’t thought of those days in years but apparently Judge McCourt had. And if he did, so would others.
“That was unfortunate and happened while I was in my twenties and I’d just started to work for the DA’s office. I was going through a bad time. It was all explained the first time I ran for DA and lost.”
It was a hard time in my life, but it made me clean up my act, stop living in the past, and move on. I’d become much more discreet after that.
His expression softened. “I understand. But as you’re aware, politics is an ugly business. Take yesterday evening. You were seen leaving the bar with Judge Michael’s law clerk after your talk.”
My cheeks grew hot. Thankfully, Craig and I hadn’t gotten physical, but I should’ve known there’d be spies. I had no one to blame but myself. I’d allowed desire to override common sense. My appetite gone, I pushed my plate away.
“Tell me, Your Honor—”
He waved me off. “Call me Sandy.”