Baby Love (Baby #2)(78)

Trey's docket number illuminated on the schedule board that was located on each wall of the courtroom. He would be next after this long-winded attorney speaking now was finished. I could tell this lawyer was going to ride out his full twenty minutes. He had yet to pause to take a breath. I watched as several minutes later the traffic light finally went to yellow.

Thank God! Only thirty seconds more of this wind-bag I thought to myself. The case totally sucked anyway. Opposing counsel on his case had waived appearance on oral argument; he or she probably figured they wouldn't have gotten a word in edgewise.

The light flashed to red and the attorney was still going strong. I looked over at Trey who was poised to rise from his seat as soon as the windbag had finished. He looked over at me shrugging his shoulders. Finally Judge Tylar used his gavel to rap on the bench. It did no good.

"Mr. Louderdick you have exceeded the maximum time allotted. This isn't a filibuster," Judge Tylar said firmly.

"If the court permits," Louderdick said unruffled, "There is much more to consider in my oral argument today then what time would allow your honor."

The judge was obviously not happy glaring at the attorney.

"I ask the court's indulgence in allowing me a bit more time to outline the particular complexities on this matter which very well might set legal precedent if remanded to the 9th District--"

"Bailiff," Judge Tylar called out, "Please remove Mr. Louderdick from this court room immediately."

(Oh my God! This was so cool.)

Mr. Louderdick was still not getting the message even when approached by the bailiff that he needed to shut the hell up.

"Your honor, all that I am asking ---"

I saw the disbelief on Judge Tylar's face as he bellowed out to Louderdick once again.

"One more word counselor and you will be found in contempt of this court!"

He slammed his gavel down and the courtroom was immediately hushed with total silence with the exception of the very loud, unfortunate giggle that escaped from me.

(Holy shit!)

Trey's head snapped around to look at me in shock and disbelief. I put my hand up to cover my mouth in embarrassment lowering my gaze from Trey.

I felt him leave our pew to approach the bench. I looked up and saw Judge Tylar studying me. I looked at him feeling my cheeks redden with the embarrassment. What if he instructed the bailiff to remove the 'giggling idiot' from the court room? He continued to stare at me but his stern expression had softened somewhat.

The bailiff read Trey's case number and the parties involved. It was noted that opposing counsel had waived appearance for oral argument but had filed papers stating their opposing position.

Trey was instructed that he could use the full twenty minutes for his argument if he chose.

"If it pleases the court, I won't take the full twenty minutes in light of the over-run on the last argument," Trey said to the panel.

Several of the judges smiled at him including Judge Tylar.

"The court appreciates your sensitivity Mr. Sinclair," Judge Tylar responded. "You may begin your argument now to the issue."

I listened intently as Trey argued the merits of his Motion to the panel in his smooth and silky voice. He briefly summarized the fine points covered in his Memorandum in support of his Motion to consolidate the case to the 11th District Court for the purposes of pre-trial management.

My eyes were glued on him as he spoke to the panel and made his argument interesting and factual citing a couple of case references. I continued to notice that Judge Tylar glanced at me several times throughout the ten minutes that Trey was on the floor. He wrapped it up and the next case was called to the floor.

He took his seat next to me and I didn't dare look at him acting as if I was totally enthralled with the next case up. I felt his hand on mine and looked over. He wasn't angry with me. I saw a hint of amusement in his eyes as he squeezed my hand in his.

At the conclusion of the last oral argument the bailiff announced that the panel would break for lunch and oral arguments would resume at 12:30 p.m. Everyone was instructed to rise as the seven judges filed out the side door.

"Let's go 'Chuckles," Trey said as he took my arm and guided me out into the aisle.

Once we got into the large hallway I turned to him.

"Trey I am so sorry," I said apologetically. "I don't know what got into me in there."

He continued to stare at me and I couldn't tell if he was angry with me or not.

"I think it was the way Judge Tylar was talking to that windbag attorney and his name being 'Louderdick' and all it just struck me funny all of a sudden and it was out before I realized - "

"Tylar hush," Trey said softly leaning down to give me a kiss.

"It's okay."

"So you're not mad at me?"

"No I am not mad at you. I found it kind of comical as well. I have to admit that it was a first for me."

"You mean an attorney being escorted out by the bailiff?"

"No - the first time that somebody laughed out loud in a hushed courtroom with seven federal judges in attendance."

I smiled back at him giving him a hug.

"So when will you find out how the panel rules on your case?"

"It usually takes about six or eight weeks for them to rule."

"What now?" I asked.