Judge Morland waited.
My father cleared his throat.
“Your Honor, there has clearly been some misunderstanding.”
The judge’s eyes moved toward him.
“A misunderstanding?”
“Yes.”
His voice took on that practiced softness.
“We were given reason to believe our daughter had been exaggerating her professional accomplishments.”
“By whom?”
My father hesitated.
Brenda spoke.
“By me.”
Every face turned toward her.
She sat straighter.
“I’ve known my sister my entire life.”
Judge Morland’s expression did not change.
“I assume so.”
“And she has always had a tendency to embellish.”
I almost laughed.
Instead, I watched.
Brenda continued.
“She told people she was an attorney, but whenever we asked basic questions, she became evasive.”
“When did you ask?”
Brenda blinked.
“What?”
“When did you ask your sister about her work?”
Silence.
Judge Morland leaned back.
“You submitted a sworn complaint alleging that Ms. Hamilton falsely represented herself as a licensed attorney. Surely you conducted some inquiry first.”
