Evelyn got to her feet, her fingers plucking at the fringe of her silk scarf as she moved toward the railing.

“Margaret, please, we’ve known your family for twenty years, this is all a terrible misunderstanding,” Evelyn said, her voice high and thin.

“Don’t address this bench by my first name, Mrs.

Carter,” Judge Reynolds said, never lifting her eyes from the paper.

She signed the first order with two quick, dark strokes of blue ink.

“This court hereby vacates every legal guardianship filing submitted by Richard and Evelyn Carter,” Judge Reynolds said.

She picked up the second form and pressed the heavy metal seal of the county court onto it.