OCR Text |
Show 160 "Oh yes," Mrs. Greenaway said, "she'll get a diploma in the mail. She's earned all her credits." "But your Honor," Parker persisted, "she wants to walk down that aisle, and her grandmother wants to see her. For most of u s - " he shrugged, shifting his weight, "-well, for most of us the ceremony doesn't mean that much . . . but she really cares. She told me she's imagined it a hundred times." "She may have to imagine it one more time," the judge said, but not unkindly. "Dyna has a psychological evaluation scheduled Friday as well as a meeting to determine her capability of making restitution. The business of the court will keep her in detention past the weekend, I'm afraid." "May I add something to this?" Mrs. Greenaway asked. She twisted around to face Parker. "There are other seniors in detention who are missing their own ceremonies. It could mean big problems for us in that girls' section if we make an exception for Dyna. Her behavior and attitude have certainly been the best, but it still wouldn't be fair in my opinion. There are three others I could name right now who are getting diplomas by mail." Parker sat down, weak with the exertion of what he'd just done. So there were to be no exceptions. None. It was Dyna's kind of decision, after all, one that kept to the letter of the law. Wipe that smile off your face, Justice! "Perhaps, young man," the judge said, "this will be the significant sacrifice on Dyna's part. I don't call it punishment. At nearly eighteen years of age, Dyna would likely not benefit from punishment. Sacrifice is something else. Do you follow me, Dyna?" "Yes, Sir, I know about sacrifice." There was a long silence during which crinkles began to form around the judge's eyes. He leaned toward Dyna. "Can you live without attending the graduation services with these fine classmates of yours?" he asked. Parker watched her. He saw her struggle to resist Judge Kranes' one token of charm, but she failed. In the end, she returned his smile with a wonderful, broad, freckle-faced smile of her own. |