I arrived early, dressed carefully, while Leonard sat across the room with his attorney. He looked noticeably thinner, his posture slightly hunched, his gaze fixed on the floor as if eye contact were something he no longer trusted himself to handle.
When the back doors opened, the atmosphere changed instantly.
A group of people entered quietly, wearing identical shirts in muted blue tones. Printed on each shirt was the image of a young girl with bright eyes and a wide smile, her front teeth uneven in the way that only children’s teeth ever are.
Beneath the photo were the words. Forever in Emma’s Light.
My chest tightened as I watched them take their seats behind Leonard.
The hearing began with formality and structure. My attorney presented photographs, medical records, and repair estimates, emphasizing negligence and responsibility. When Leonard’s attorney stood, her voice was steady but heavy.
“My client does not dispute fault,” she said. “He has already paid for the vehicle repairs. However, he does not possess the financial means to meet the damages being sought.”
My lawyer dismissed the comment without hesitation, arguing that inability to pay did not negate responsibility.