Novel Journey Critiques ~ Week 4

CHAPTER ONE

The Honorable Judge Darlene Coleman’s office light was not the only one visible from the courthouse, but she was the only lingering long past closing time. Her co-workers had already started their weekend, while she sat staring at nothing in particular. She used the end of a chewed pen to dig under her runaway bun. The bobby pins no longer held the strands of hair in place. The more she scratched, the more her scalp seemed to itch. She wanted nothing more than to let her hair down and soak in a hot bubble bath. The week had brought her one tedious case after another. She needed the two days to unwind. Two days to get her life in order.

For the past hour, she rearranged and straightened the contents of her desk until it looked civilized. She couldn’t stand for her desk to get too out of hand. Organization was not her strongest skill, but nevertheless she liked to keep up the appearance.
One folder glared at her.

She knew better, but she picked up the folder anyway. Flipping it open, she started reading the first page. She would have jumped on it sooner. This week’s demanding docket of cases had drained her. A prosecuting attorney for over 10 years, Darlene was ecstatic to get the judicial nomination six years ago. There were some days that black robe mocked her though. She hated those days when her memory recalled cases she would have preferred were filed away so deep they weren’t worth remembering.

Removing the paper clip from the corner, she scrutinized each page. The document wording, including the small print at the bottom, had not changed. For some reason she expected to see something different from what was presented to her a week ago. This was an opportunity of a lifetime. One side of her scorned the opportunity. Her more adventurous side, shouted with glee. Back in the day she would have did a cartwheel and a few flips easily across the floor. Her body wasn’t bad for her age, but those cheerleading skills had long been lost.

Darlene looked at her watch and moaned. Her appointment was approaching fast. Why in the world did he have to see her now? It was her fault. Old insecurities had crept back once again to steal her thunder. What was that she heard Pastor Burns preach about a few Sunday’s back? God forgave us, we have to forgive ourselves. Even more importantly, we were not truly forgiven if we didn’t forgive others. The past had to be put to rest.

Someone was having a serious problem with letting go.

She slapped the folder closed and shook her head, completely unraveling the bun. Her jet black hair rippled down her back. The judge persona had officially been retired for the weekend.

Intent on leaving her desk neat, she stuck the file back in the basket, but not on top. She didn’t want to see it first thing Monday morning. No way was she going to repeat her actions today. It was so unlike her to lose her focus in the courtroom. She would make her decision over the weekend and contact them after lunch on Monday.
Desperate for food, her stomach growled in protest. The calories from the chicken salad sandwich earlier that day had long been extinguished. Darlene grabbed her bag and walked out the door, closing it behind her. The lock clicked in place. She turned to look over her shoulder expecting to see Maggie Laurens with her cleaning cart down the hall. The woman always fussed at her about staying late. She was sure the older woman would tease her about being in hurry for a date.

I wish I did have a real date tonight.

A long time ago she loved the man she was about to meet. Even though they were both mature, dozens of years of unspoken hurt and pain would always separate them from the possibilities of the past.

Trash cans were being systematically emptied up and down the hall by the feisty night crew, but there was no sign of Maggie. Darlene walked to the elevator. Thanks to a meticulous dry-cleaning regime each month, her navy blue suit looked as good as it did when she dug it out the closet at six a.m. Her long legs carried her down the hall towards the elevator within seconds. After she pressed the down button, she juggled her bag straps so they would not dig into her shoulder.

There really was not much in the bag. The weight she felt had more to do with her dinner meeting. She always wanted to ask him why he never married. Her singleness felt like a verdict handed down from God. Though lonely, she accepted it.
The elevator chugged to a stop and the doors slowly whirred open. Anxious to get to the parking garage, Darlene stepped in and pushed the ground level button. She sighed deeply as the doors closed. She was really looking forward to the weekend. It wasn’t going to be as relaxing as she desired. Decisions had to be finalized. For almost two weeks, she had avoided her mother and best friend, Candace Johnson. Both women were so much alike, she jokingly questioned whether or not Candace was her mother’s real daughter.

It felt good to have two people know you better than you knew yourself. At times it was excruciating, which was why she had to keep them at bay. Now more than ever she needed their advice and prayers. Despite being a powerful judge, she had discovered long ago she could not trust herself to make certain decisions.

# # #

Someone had been watching the judge from a distance. As soon as the elevator doors closed, her watcher rolled the cleaning cart down the hallway. A set of master keys were pulled from the cart. Judge Darlene Coleman, District 12 Criminal Court was etched into the gold plate on the chosen door.