Page 35 of From the Courtroom to the Court
"Yes."
Mia reaches into her pants pocket and places the USB drive on the table before sitting down.
"Perfect," Emma says, opening her laptop.
Mia watches uncomfortably as Emma inserts the drive and opens the folder. She wasn't sure what to expect from this visit, but although Emma seems annoyingly beautiful concentrating as she looks at the screen, she doesn't want to be present when Emma discovers her criminal record.
"Is it necessary for you to read it now?" she asks uneasily.
Emma glances at Mia for a moment and returns to the screen. She immediately senses the reason for her question because of all the files on the drive, one has caught her attention above the rest: Criminal Record Report issued by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and obviously, that's the one she opened.
"I'm just skimming to get an idea of what we have, but you're right, I'll review it later in more detail, sorry," Emma says. "Now I just need to ask you some questions."
"Okay," Mia sighs with relief as Emma puts aside the laptop and picks up her notebook again.
"How's your relationship with your brother Aaron?"
"What kind of question is that?" Mia frowns.
Emma raises her eyebrows.
"One like any other, Mia. I don't know you or him. Just because you're seeking custody doesn't mean you have to get along. He's younger than you, in the middle of adolescence, I don't know..."
"We get along very well," she says sharply, "it's always been that way."
"Okay," Emma takes notes. "That's great, because when we file the appeal, the judge will speak with him alone, ask questions about your relationship, whether he really wants to live with you or feels coerced... And don't attack me," she says when she sees Mia frown, "I'm just telling you what might happen."
"It doesn't matter, Aaron and I get along well, I already told you."
"Very good, that works perfectly for us. Emily says Leah Walker can speak in your favor, is there anyone else who can do that? And by anyone else, I mean people with stable lives who can be good examples for Aaron."
Mia clenches her jaw.
"You mean it's better to avoid lower-class people like me?"
"I didn't say that, and this won't work if you're on the defensive all the time," Emma replies.
Mia swallows, feeling stupid. The truth is Emma is a complete snob who behaves with superiority outside the office, but inside she hasn't shown a single behavior that made Mia feel uncomfortable.
"You're right, sorry. Leah's mothers, they'll also speak in my favor if necessary, and they know Aaron, they spend time with him when he's with me."
"Perfect, what are their names?"
"Anne and Natalie Walker."
Emma makes a note in her notebook.
"The judge will likely want to speak with them and with Leah a bit later, but don't worry, we'll meet beforehand and prepare all of you for the questions she'll probably ask," Emma explains.
"All right."
"Also, we're going to request a psychologist evaluate Aaron. According to Emily, Leah told her he doesn't handle changing homes well and that before the Moores took him in, he had a rough time with the previous family."
"Yes, he doesn't adapt well. He doesn't understand why he can't be with me if I'm his family, he struggles to accept it," Mia swallows. "Luckily, the Moores had patience and managed to earn his trust, and thanks to Tamara Burk getting me weekend visits, he relaxed."
"I understand. Tamara Burk is the social worker, right?" Emma asks.
"Yes, she also said she'd testify in my favor," Mia recalls.
