My Father Mocked Me for Coming to Court Without a Lawyer, But the Judge Opened My File and the Whole Room Went Silent

it into the worn leather case, and just before I left I reached back into the footlocker for one more thing.

The compass.

I opened it in my palm and watched the needle steady.

Always know where you are.

I slipped it into my pocket. Not for luck. For memory.

Now, standing in the courtroom, my father’s lawyer finished his opening and sat down with visibly continue reading …