As Nia stepped in front of the judge, the tension in the courtroom was palpable. With a grave expression on his face, the judge sat behind the enormous oak desk. He was Judge Callisto, and regardless of the person in trouble, he had a reputation for following the law. Nia, a single mother, was in court due to $200 parking charges that she was finding difficult to pay.
She tried to justify not having to pay the huge parking fine as she stood tensely in front of the judge. The judge was being distracted by the audience members’ whispers as they attempted to predict the result. Order in the court, he shouted, banging his gobble.
The court fell silent, then a high-pitched voice interrupted with the request for hamburgers. The tiny voice was speaking next to Nia. That was Nia’s six-year-old daughter, Maya.
Nia and everyone else in the courtroom gasped. Normally, everyone would have laughed at Maya’s innocent comment, but Judge Callisto’s court was renowned for its severity. This kind of immature outburst was unprecedented and inexcusable.
Nia’s blush turned scarlet with shame. Had her kid, who was six years old, just destroyed their hopes of escaping this situation? Nia gave Maya a worried glance, but the young child only stood next to her mother, her eyes wide and innocent. Judge Callisto appeared unconcerned, though, in contrast to the others.
His eyebrows shot up in surprise, but his face was devoid of rage. Nia bowed before Maya swiftly, telling her in a whisper that they were not allowed to interrupt the judge. They had hoped that Maya’s presence would placate the judge, but she now worried that this immature outburst would anger him even more.
She was a little ashamed, especially after realizing that they probably came seen as careless because of Maya’s outburst. Judge Callisto cast a sidelong glance at the tiny interloper, who was restless beside her mother. Did you say hamburgers, young lady? The judge questioned Maya in an unexpectedly kind tone.
His question was distinct from the harsh statements he typically made in court. With curiosity about Maya’s reaction and the judge’s potential next move, everyone was staring at her. Nia held her breath, praying that they wouldn’t regret it.
However, Maya chose not to respond to the judge’s query. Nia glanced worriedly at Maya, who didn’t seem to be aware of the tension she’d created. Rather than the judge, the small girl’s large brown eyes appeared to be fixed on a painting of a somber-looking man wearing a wig that was hanging on the wall.
Nia had a 200% heart rate. This was not working out. Judge Callisto, though, did not blow out as Nia had expected.
He just turned his eyes from Maya to Nia. For a little while, the quietness persisted, giving Nia the impression of a bug under a microscope. Judge Callisto eventually resumed his speech and questioned Maya, saying, is there anything you’d like to tell me, young lady? But Maya moved forward toward the judge’s bench before Nia could respond.
She nodded and said, yes, sir. She complained to the judge that her stomach was growling loudly. She was getting hungry from all the talking, and she and her mother still hadn’t had breakfast.
Nia became even more mortified. Her daughter was requesting food while she was attempting to clarify a critical matter in front of a severe judge. The morning rush had been something else, even though she knew they ought to have stopped for something to eat before heading to court.
Getting Maya dressed and making sure she had everything she needed were her tasks. Making up reasons from Maya’s school and work while enduring rush hour traffic. Now, the judge might see them as even worse, despite her daughter’s candor appearing nice and even endearing.
Nia started to apologize, but the judge interrupted her with a slight wave. He warned Maya that, particularly when she was hungry, the court may be a lengthy and dull place. Why don’t you come up here and tell me more about these hamburgers, he continued.
Everyone was taken aback by the judge’s inquiry, and even Judge Callisto appeared a little uncertain after inquiring about hamburgers. Maya looked at her mother to ask for permission, and Nia, not knowing what to anticipate, could only nod. Maya skittered joyfully over to the formidable judge’s desk.