“Counsel, I’m going to take a recess.
And I’m going to ask the clerk to note that the respondent’s testimony about the petitioner’s role appears to be contradicted by a document that predates this marriage.”
Vincent’s lawyer said, “Your Honor, the lease has no bearing on — “
“Counsel, your client just told me she carried boxes.
This lease says she’s his landlord.
I’d like fifteen minutes to decide which of those is the more interesting fact.”
PART 3
The pressure came that afternoon.
It came in the hallway.
Vincent’s mother, Carmela — seventy-four, who had eaten at that restaurant every Sunday for twenty years and had never once asked who made the bread — found me by the water fountain.
“Antonia.
What was that.
In front of a judge.
Taking your clothes off — “
“I showed a sc*r, Carmela.
From your son’s mixer.”
“He said you fell — “
“He said a lot of things.
He said them to a hospital.
