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Show 15 2 "I'm Russ Owens," he introduced himself as they walked along, "I'm the bailiff. I've just been notified that there will be some visitors in Judge Kranes' court today." "You mean besides my grandmother?" "Probably University law students. They come here to observe court procedure sometimes." Oh great, Dyna thought, following him through a heavy door. A short hallway took them to the rear of the juvenile court. There was Gram, sitting all by herself in the front row. Dyna's mouth tugged downward at the sight of her grandmother's back. One after another, the visual details ganged up against Dynaf Gram's neat gray curls, from having her hair in rollers all morning . . . the beige blouse, the one Dyna had bought her for Christmas. And no cane. No cane anywhere I Sure enough, Gram had thrown away her walking stick by graduation time. Dyna stopped beside the first row of seats. "Gram?" she whispered. "Sit here at the table, please," the bailiff was saying, but already Dyna had her arms around her grandmother's neck. "Hey, old lady," Dyna whispered at her ear, the great blobs in her own eyes threatening to spill over, "where's your cane?" Gram smiled, held Dyna, patted her. "I'm saving it to use on you! Say, are they treating you all right up here?" "Oh sure, Gram. Gram . . . look . . . I'm sorry . . ." Dyna still struggled for control, but now the bailiff was beside her. "Right up here, Miss," he insisted, "the judge will be coming in from his chambers." Dyna pulled away from her grandmother. As instructed, she sat down at an empty table directly beneath the judge's platform and tried to calm herself. Anyway, she felt a lot better. Gram wasn't mad at her anymore. Soon a girl not much older than Dyna entered the court and seated herself to the judge's right, under the flag of the United States. Dyna watched her prepare a tape for recording. Lydia Greenaway appeared next, whispering a word to Gram before she sat down beside Dyna. There was' muted confusion behind them as the University students |
