Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

“I am,” Josie answered. “She won’t lack for anything.”
“Well, then. All this is well and good on the surface.” He
put his pen down. “Since you are an attorney, Ms. Bates, you
understand that the court must consider many things before a
ruling is made. Not the least of which is the current status of
this woman and her history. Unfortunately, the record is not
going to guide me in any significant way.”
He opened the court file and pulled out a piece of paper.
“The only thing in this file is the order of guardianship
making her a ward of Ha Kuna House. There is no indication
that she has family, what her mental and/or physical conditions
were at the time of her commitment, or who requested it. It is
very possible she was lucid enough to request it herself which,
of course, would throw a wrench into your petition. If Emily
Bates wished to commit herself, then we would need her to
testify that she now wishes to change her status and assign you
guardianship. That would be very unusual indeed. As you can
imagine, if the lady were coherent enough to understand these
proceedings, wouldn’t she prefer to be independent of a
guardian? So, what we have here is a duly authorized order of
guardianship signed in January of 1987. Where did you last
see your mother?”
“At Fort Hood in Texas. We were stationed there. My father
was in the service,” Josie said
“Molokai is a long way from Texas,” the judge noted. “Was
she ill previous to that date?”
“Not that I know of, Your Honor.”
“And how did you find her at Ha Kuna House? Well?”
“Well cared for,” Josie answered.
“And her response to your appearance?” Judge Mohr
probed.
“She didn’t know me, Judge,” Josie admitted. Beside her,
Stephen moved. He raised one hand, one inelegant finger, and
cleared his throat.