Judge Whitaker adjusted his glasses and read aloud. “In re Estate of Pruitt, a ruling on testamentary capacity, with counsel of record listed as T. M. Hale of the Legal Aid Office.” The room went quiet. I had argued that case four years earlier, and the court had published it. My father’s attorney shifted in his chair, because he had cited that same ruling in his petition.

The judge looked at my parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Hale, your petition relies on a standard this young woman helped define.” My mother’s purse slid from her lap. Then the courtroom door opened, and Caleb walked down the aisle, pale and out of breath, holding a sealed envelope. He stopped at the end of the row and looked straight at our father.