“I can’t wait another minute!” Pam motioned them into their tall stools at the granite countertop and hustled around the other side, standing in front of the oven and the television. Jake and Ryan sat down in their seats and faced a delighted Pam, against the backdrop of the news report of the heinous crime they had committed together.
The anchorwoman continued, “Lindstrom was a junior at Concord Chase High and she had just moved here from Seattle with her mother, Grace, but the duo had already made fast friends with neighbors like Dylan Paolucci, who lives next door.” The screen switched to footage of an older man standing in his threshold, saying, “I’m still shocked. I just finished talking to her. She was a good kid. Her mom is a doll. I cannot believe somebody would hit her and not even stop the car.”
Pam took a deep breath, barely able to contain her excitement as she looked from Jake to Ryan, and back again. “Guess what?”
“What?” Jake asked, but Ryan’s attention was riveted to the TV screen, which had returned to the anchorwoman, who was saying, “Police have no suspects at the present time, but they are looking for the vehicle, which is likely to have damage to its passenger-side fender and undercarriage…”
“Ryan!” Pam barked, with a mock frown. “May I have your attention? What does it take! Sheesh!”
“Sorry.” Ryan straightened up, and the TV screen changed to a remote report by a male reporter in a logo ball cap and windbreaker, standing on an otherwise darkened Pike Road, at the blind curve. He was saying, “The heartbreaking death of young Kathleen Lindstrom has brought new attention to this deadly blind curve on Pike Road, which residents have been complaining about to the Township Board of Supervisors for years. Traffic accidents happen routinely here, usually involving walkers, cyclists, and joggers, but last night’s was the first fatality…”
“Boys.” Pam made a drumroll sound, her blue eyes shining with happiness. “Tonight at the dinner, I found out that there’s about to be a new vacancy on the federal district court!”
“Really.” Jake could see in his peripheral vision that the TV screen had returned to the anchorwoman in the studio, but the enlarged photo behind her grabbed him by the throat. It showed Pike Road as a crime scene, with yellow plastic tape, red flares, and a black body bag being lifted on a gurney. The voiceover said, “If you have any information on the crash or the location of the alleged hit-and-run vehicle please call Concord Chase police at…”
“Guys, what?” Pam scowled, hurt. “Why are you being so rude? What’s so damn interesting?”
“Nothing, honey,” Jake answered, and Ryan swallowed visibly, but Pam whirled around to face the television, then watched the end of the news report, shaking her head.
“Oh. Thatissad. Everybody was talking about it tonight. What’s the matter with people?”
“God knows.” Jake put an arm around Ryan, while Pam turned back to face them.
“Ryan, are you okay? You don’t look good. Do you have a fever?” She reached across the table and put her hand on his forehead sideways. She always had an uncanny ability to tell if he had a fever, so they called her The Ther-MOM-eter.
“No, Mom, I’m fine.” Ryan pressed her hand away. “Tell us your news. Please.”
Pam brightened again, nodding energetically. “Okay, anyway. Judge Medova is going to step down and become managing partner at Ringman Tesher.”
“Oh, interesting.” Jake didn’t know where her story was going, but he was finally able to listen, since the TV news had moved on to a dorm arsonist at Temple.
“And guess who’s the front runner to fill the vacancy?” Pam’s eyes lit up. “Me!”
“Wow,” Jake said, astounded.
“Can you believe it?” Pam squealed in delight.
“What’s this mean?” Ryan blinked dully, and Pam reached across the island and took his face in both of her hands.
“It means your mother is going to be afederal judge!”
“Great!” Ryan said, mustering up the requisite enthusiasm.
“Oh my God, honey.” Jake felt happy for her, went around the island, and hugged her hard. “Congratulations, I’m so happy for you, babe.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Pam hugged him back. “Can you believe it? Can you even believe it?”
“Sure, I can. You deserve it.”
Pam giggled delightedly. “The state court judges are always overlooked for the federal bench, except for Judge Spaeth, who was even considered for the Supremes. But since him, I don’t think there’s been anybody. Isn’t it amazing?”
“Absolutely amazing,” Jake said, meaning it. He leaned over and turned off the TV.
Ryan rose, placing a hand on the counter. “Can somebody explain to me what this is all about?”
“Sure.” Jake’s heart went out to his son, trying to rise above the circumstances for his mother. “Pam, tell your son what a big deal you’re about to become.”
Pam smiled, pleased. “There are two systems of justice in the country. There’s a state system, which I’m a part of, and it rules on questions of state law. State judges are appointed for a term of years, and they’re elected, which you’ve heard me say is totally ridiculous. Pennsylvania is one of the few states in the country that still elects judges, instead of having them appointed based on their qualifications and merits. It’s like a judicial popularity contest, and a corruption of the law—”
