Chapter XVI #2
After a few minutes, the librarian returned, volumes in hand. Thumping the pile of books onto the desk, she quickly thumbed through and found the specific cases that Mae had desired. “Anything else, Miss?”
Mae gazed at her in admiration. “Yes, please. Would you have any foolscap sheets for handwriting motions?”
“Absolutely, Miss.” She walked back to retrieve the supplies Mae had requested.
Mae finished copying the citations and jotted down the premise of each case to have handy in front of her when she approached Judge Matthews.
“It is good to see you again. I hope your case proceeds well.” She passed Mae the crisp foolscap sheet before retreating to her desk.
Mae looked down at the fresh sheet of paper.
She drew in a deep breath. She would have to draft this motion from memory.
As she picked up her pen, her hand swirled in loops over the page, her muscles practicing the writing motion before touching pen to paper.
Focusing on the layout of Lily Kerr’s motion, she began drafting the same format for Simon.
She forced her script to remain tight and even on the page.
She knew it had to appear professional and exact without blots of ink or mistakes.
As she finished the last line, she looked over her work.
It had been a long time since she had hand-written a motion.
Now she had to find out if there was a copyist downstairs willing to type it for her.
She left the volumes on the desk, stacking them into neat piles for the efficient librarian, and approached her once more. “Do you know if there is a good copyist in the building? I need to have the motion typed.”
“Of course. Ask for John Mead downstairs. His office is just off the lobby. He is excellent and won’t give you trouble typing it out.
” She gave Mae a knowing wink. Mae was relieved that it was not just her that faced condescension in this male-dominated profession.
She smiled back at the woman and felt a deep sense of solidarity.
After seeking out John Mead, she found she appreciated the librarian even more. He accepted her handwritten motion at once with no pretense. “You draft these yourself?” He asked, flipping through the pages.
Mae nodded.
The clerk huffed. “Cleaner than most attorneys submit.”
Mae smiled at the older gentleman as he tucked the motion into an envelope for her.
Now she held the typed motion in her hand.
Looking down at it, she felt the weight of the next step.
She tucked the envelope into her bag and pressed her hand once over the watch through her blouse and pulled herself to her full height. She would get to Topeka.
Exiting the old building, she drew in a deep breath of refreshing February air and turned her sights to the task ahead.
She would find Judge Matthews and make him file the motion for her.
Her step landed truer as she felt prepared to do battle in Simon's name.
She would get to Topeka and she would have the documents she needed for her vacated ruling.
Mae arrived at Judge Matthews’s office. As she bit down on her trembling lip, she rested her shaking hand on the doorknob to steady herself.
She had met Judge Matthews briefly, but that had been many years ago.
A hope flickered within her that he would recognize her.
As she approached the desk clerk, her mind froze.
The clerk looked up at her, his hands still moving papers around as he addressed her, “Ma’am? ”
“I’m from the office of Henry Turner, Esquire. I need an audience with Judge Matthews, please.”
“Judge Matthews is occupied. Would you like to schedule an appointment?” He shifted to a datebook and picked up his pen.
“It is an urgent matter. Please tell Judge Matthews that it is for Henry Turner. He’s an old friend. I’m sure he will see me.” Mae kept her sentences clipped and set her jaw, determined to present her request with authority.
The clerk tilted his head and appraised Mae. She felt sweat forming as she made herself still under his assessment. The clerk stood. “I will check with him to see if he can be disturbed. You may wait here.”
The door reopened and Judge Matthews appeared behind the clerk.
“Mrs. Turner,” Judge Matthews addressed her warmly.
“Come in, come in. It has been an age since I’ve seen Henry.
I hope all is well.” Mae looked at the older man and was surprised at his full head of gray hair.
He still had the same sturdy frame of his earlier years, although Mae remembered him being taller than he appeared now.
Holding the door for her, he ushered her into the office.
He made his way around the desk and motioned for her to sit before taking his own seat. “Please, tell me how Henry is getting on? Simon must be getting big. Heading toward manhood, if I remember correctly.” His eyes held a warmth as he questioned her.
Mae’s lip quivered despite her attempt at control. “It is so good to see you too, Your Honor.”
“Please call me George.”
“George,” she tried out the name hesitantly.
Having not fully considered how she would start this conversation, she opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat.
She tried to breathe, but only a small gasp of air entered her lungs.
Her fingers clenched the envelope holding the motion, creating a crease in its pristine condition.
“Mae...” He leaned forward.