Discover Smith Mountain Lake
WINTER 2016
19
18
The judge peered down on Maya as she was sworn
in. She gave a brief history of the case, including an
introduction to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson.
“What is your recommendation, Ms Broude?” the judge
asked.
“I’m 23 years old,” Maya thought to herself, “And
you’re asking my advice about the future of an entire
family.” Her knees felt like they would give out and her
hands were trembling but she responded in a strong
voice.
“I believe it is in the best interests of the children that
all eight be placed with their only surviving relatives,
their aunt and uncle, who are here in the court room
today, your honor.” She then looked him straight in the
eye, prepared to defend her position. To her surprise,
the judge said simply,
“So be it. Next case bailiff.”
She couldn’t believe her ears. In the end, it had been so
easy. She gathered her papers up, and headed toward
the Jacksons, who were sitting in the back of the
courtroom. Mrs. Jackson was dabbing at her eyes, and
her husband had his arm around her shoulder.
“Thank you, Miss,” she whispered, “Thank you for my
sister. She in heaven, smilin’ down right now.”
“Merry Christmas, Lila,” Maya said as she led them
outside, “You tell all your 14 children that I said Merry
Christmas.” She reached inside her purse then, and
brought out a plastic bag with some colored bulbs
inside. She handed the bag to Mrs. Jackson.
“Also, tell them some of the bulbs on that string of
lights in your window need to be replaced.”
Then she did something that she would do many times
throughout her 25 year career as a social worker in
Chicago. She spread her arms, and hugged a client
for whom she had come to feel both admiration and
compassion, and whispered, “Call me if it ever gets to
be too much.” She never heard from Mrs. Jackson.
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