I stood up slowly. I picked up the single, thin manila folder from the table.
“I have no witnesses, Your Honor,” I said. “I have just one document.”
“One document?” Sterling laughed out loud. “Is it a letter of apology?”
“No,” I said. “It is my personnel file.”
I walked to the bailiff and handed him the folder. He walked it up to the bench.
The room was silent, save for the hum of the ventilation. My parents were whispering about where they were going to go for dinner to celebrate.
Judge Halloway flipped open the folder. She adjusted her glasses. She frowned. Then she squinted.
She turned the first page. Then the second.
She looked up at me, her eyes wide. She looked back at the file, as if checking to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating.
“Ms. Vance…” the Judge started, her voice different now. Curious. “This document… this is a certified service record from the Department of Defense?”
