“We won’t get a second shot at a first impression.”

I spun my silver wedding ring around my thumb and kept my eyes on the judge’s empty chair.

At nine the clerk called our case, and Judge Vance came in through the side door without glancing at any of us.

Patricia’s attorney, a thin man in a gray suit, started talking before the judge had even sat down.

“Your Honor, this is a family matter that belongs in a settlement conference, not in an emergency motion.”

Arthur didn’t stand up right away.