Chapter 27
Gabriella
Knock. Knock. “Hey, Patti, you have a minute?” Patti looks up from her desk and gives a giant smile.
She nods her head, motioning to the faded brown leather chair across from her desk, and I take a seat.
She always looks so happy and put together.
Her platinum blonde hair is pulled back into a low, tight chignon with her bangs overhanging her eyebrows.
“Hey Gabbi. Wow, you’re looking more relaxed by the day. Things going better at home?” She says it with such hope.
My face blushes remembering the events of this weekend. “Yeah, we’re moving along one step at a time.”
“Well, that’s all you can do. What can I help you with, my dear?” Still with her warm smile.
“Vic and I are working with some friends of ours to get our marriage back on track. One of the things they asked us to do was to visit each other at work. So, I wanted to let you know that Vic will be stopping by this week, though I guess he’s not supposed to tell me when.
Something about me not controlling every situation. ” I shrug with discomfort.
“Ooooo. I guess your friends know what they’re doing then.” Her knowing smirk shines through her words.
“I guess, but I’m not seeing the point of not knowing.” I truly don’t.
Patti steps out from behind her desk and walks over to me. Grabbing my hands in hers, she looks at me with empathy and love. I wish this woman could have been my mother.
“Gabbi, you’re so strong, and with what I’ve learned over the past few years, is that you like to control all that you can.
Not for malicious or selfish reasons, but because if you can control the situation, then you can control the outcome and protect everyone from everything.
Basically, you’re trying to be Superwoman.
” Her eyes are so kind and understanding.
“Is that such a bad thing?” It comes out in a huff-slash-laugh combo.
Patti slightly cocks her head to the side, “Oh, honey, no, it’s not bad per se, it just doesn’t allow life to surprise you.
It doesn’t allow people to surprise you.
It definitely doesn’t allow for you to surprise yourself.
This is their way of encouraging you to meet life on life’s terms and adjust accordingly.
” She lightly sways my hands from side to side, “This is exciting, Gabbi, let things develop and just roll with it. I’m excited to hear that Vic’ll be stopping by. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him.”
“I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.” I smile at her.
“I have court on Wednesday, it’s James Kovac’s case.
It would be great if he came by any day but Wednesday.
I’m so freaking nervous about this Judge.
Jimmy needs a break and someone in his corner, you know.
” The thought of court on Wednesday makes me nauseous.
I really want this kid to get the help he needs.
Patti drops my hands and places her hands on her hips, exuding sass, “Well, he’s got you, so I think Jimmy’s odds are pretty good.”
Wednesday rolls around, and I’m a mess, well, on the inside anyway, on the outside, I’m all business chic in my white designer pants suit with a red camisole and matching red lipstick. My hair is high on my head in a neat, but not pretentious, bun, and my heels are four inches high and black.
I feel powerful. Which is helpful since the lawyers usually run the show, and the social workers are looked at as an assistant in the courtroom. I just really need the judge to hear what I have to say about this kid.
I talked to Vic about Jimmy last night and reluctantly told him how nervous I was. After some prodding, Vic got me to tell him the outcome that I’m truly hoping for. Sometimes I don’t like putting those things out there; I guess it’s kind of like a superstition.
Vic was super understanding and just listened. Nothing but encouragement spilled out of him about how much faith he had in me and how much he loves the way I love each and every kid I work with. He still hasn’t visited me, but maybe that’s a good thing.
The side door to the courtroom opens, and I see Jimmy walking out in his orange jumpsuit, hands and feet bound by metallic cuffs and joined by a linking chain.
Jesus, he’s a kid, he may have robbed a house and accidentally injured the owner while he was high, but he didn’t kill anyone, and he certainly isn’t Hannibal Lecter.
The officer escorting Jimmy shows him to his seat.
Once settled, Jimmy looks around the courtroom and finds me.
He smiles for a moment, but his smile falls away when he realizes there’s no one else here.
He looks back at me and mouths, Where’s my mom?
To which I mouth back, She couldn’t make it, buddy. I’m Sorry.
Jimmy’s shoulders sag, but quickly square up when the bailiff stands and calls, “All rise for the Honorable Judge Riccardo.”
Riccardo? We were supposed to have Franklin, but I’m good with a change-up since Franklin is a total pile and doesn’t believe in second chances or treatments. He put his own kid in jail, which violates all kinds of ethical practices, but whatever.
Judge Riccardo sits and flips through the file in front of her.
I hope she read all the witness statements we submitted before coming in today.
“Your Honor.” The prosecutor starts, but is interrupted by the judge raising her hand in a stop motion.
A few more minutes of silence pass before she’s ready to speak.
“Okay. I’m ready. I know this is a last-minute change from Judge Franklin, but circumstances couldn’t be helped.
Mr. Kovac,” Jimmy sits taller at the judge calling his name.
“I’ve read your file and all witness statements submitted.
I’m going to hear from your lawyer and the prosecutor, then your social worker.
If you choose to speak on your behalf, I will let you know when you can do that.
Do you understand everything I have just said, Mr. Kovac? ”
“Yes, your Honor.”
“Do you have any questions for me before we start?”
“No, your Honor.”
“Excellent. Ms. Flynn, you may proceed with your argument.”
Jimmy’s lawyer stands and presents a case where a lost boy grows up in a single-parent household.
His mom has trouble keeping a job due to her disability, and his father can’t seem to kick his heroin addiction, but likes to drop in and out of Jimmy’s life.
For Jimmy’s 16th birthday, his father bought him heroin and a hooker.
When the prosecutor presents her case, she brings to light Jimmy’s addiction, his violence in school, his propensity to end up in handcuffs, plus the obvious house robbery and assault on the homeowner.
Once the lawyers finish, I’m up to the plate. When the Judge asks me to stand, I do so and slide Jimmy a wink as he stares at me.
Deep breath, here we go. “Your honor, I met James Kovac about a year ago, when he was first incarcerated at the Oak Knoll Juvenile Facility. When I met him, he was defiant and unwilling to cooperate in group therapy or even interact with other juveniles. He had quite the chip on his shoulder and didn’t seem to want to speak with me.
” I flick my eyes at Jimmy and see he’s nervous about where I’m going with this.
“Each day, I tried to have him engage in group or one-on-one sessions, but he was stubborn and had no interest. It wasn’t until I asked James what he wanted to do with his life that he started to open up to me.
16-year-old James Kovac told me he wanted to be a master mechanic, just like his grandfather.
He told me a little more about his life that day, and we made a connection. ”
“From that point on, though some days were not easy, I could communicate with James, and he would truly hear what I had to say. He started participating in group sessions and started to interact with the other juveniles positively.”
“James has gotten himself into trouble and fallen into addiction. He has gotten himself clean and fallen again. Life’s obstacles and sometimes lack of resources have provided a harsh reality for James, and I know he sees that, but he doesn’t know how to break the cycle.
The last time I talked to him, he said, Mrs. S, I can’t live like this anymore. Something needs to change.”
“James has it in him to change his life around if provided with the proper attention and resources. James would thrive in a rehabilitation program aimed at substance use, behavior change/modification programs, such as Moral Reconation Therapy, and life skills.”
“I truly believe that, with help, James can change his trajectory and become the master mechanic he dreamed of being when he was a kid.” I give the judge a respectful nod and send a small smile to Jimmy.
“Thank you for your honest assessment, Mrs. Scott.” At the judge’s acknowledgment, I sit back down in my seat on the wooden pews and pray for the best. “Mr. Kovac, do you have anything to add?”
“No, your Honor.”
“I have a lot to think about on this case.” The judge is pensive and looks almost empathetic.
Judge Riccardo schedules another date for the decision three weeks from today.
I’m disappointed that Jimmy has to go back to lockup, but I’m hopeful that the judge heard me.
Jimmy is escorted out of the courtroom after he takes a second to thank me.
I gather my things and turn to head out the door.
Surprise overtakes me when I see who’s there, waiting.