Chapter 13 - The Blue Fountain Pen Signs the Warrant
On a bright Tuesday morning in early March, Delilah Hawthorne stood in the ceremonial courtroom of the Dirksen Federal Building.
She wore a tailored dark navy maternity suit, her hair pinned up in an elegant chignon, her posture commanding and radiant.
Before a panel of three federal appellate judges, Dela raised her right hand.
“I, Delilah Hawthorne, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of an Attorney and Counselor at Law to the best of my ability.”
The Chief Judge smiled warmly, banging his gavel.
“Congratulations, Counselor Hawthorne. It is an honor to formally admit you to the federal bar. Your late husband would have been exceptionally proud.”
Applause echoed through the courtroom.
Sitting in the front row was Teddy Brightwater, wiping her eyes with a lace handkerchief.
Beside her sat Augustine Vandermir, dressed in a sharp charcoal suit, clapping with a quiet, fierce pride that filled the entire room.
Dela stepped to the clerk’s table.
She pulled her mother’s blue lacquered fountain pen from her purse.
With a smooth, confident stroke of black ink, she signed her name into the official roll of attorneys:
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DELILAH HAWTHORNE, ESQ.
The pen had finally found its purpose.
