Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

for a hundred other attorneys cooling their heels as they waited
for their time in front of the bench. Here, bumbye was the rule
not the exception. The court would get to business when it got
to it so she relaxed as the judge and Stephen exchanged news
of Mohr’s children, the expected height of the waves that day,
and the health of Stephen’s girls. The court clerk was called in.
She also indulged in pleasantries with Stephen until, finally, he
became Mr. Kyle and Judge Mohr morphed into the jurist he
was. The hearing regarding the guardianship of Emily Baylor-
Bates began with Stephen Kyle doing what Josie would have
done if only she were licensed to practice in the state.
“Your Honor has already read the filing, but for purposes of
your housekeeping I would like to present you with a copy for
your reference during these proceedings.”
With a flourish, Stephen produced said paperwork and
passed it along. Judge Mohr held it not quite at arm’s length
and gave it the once over.
“Everything is in order, Mr. Kyle. Many thanks.” He set it
aside in favor of a green folder, tattered around the edges and
unimpressive in bulk. “You put my clerk through some hoops
to find this. It isn’t much, but at least we have a starting
place.”
“I apologize for the extra work, but I assure you that the
guardianship of Emily Baylor-Bates is well worth it. My
client, her daughter,” Stephen waved at Josie with
considerable pomp, “has spent almost twenty-seven years
searching for her mother, and it is within this court’s
jurisdiction to reunite this family. Emily Bates is currently
residing at the Ha Kuna House on Molokai, Judge.”
“I am not familiar with the place,” Judge Mohr said.
“I doubt there are many people on the islands who are. It is
a privately run concern for people of certain limited mental
capacity,” Stephen answered.
“A nursing home?” the judge inquired.