“No. And for your information, she’s gone to deal with Bob and may be gone for the rest of the afternoon.” Janet was now offering up jewels of information.

“Thanks, Janet.” We headed back to the clerks’ cave. “I guess you can just hang out. By the way, I’m sorry today’s been so weird. No way to spend your first day. I feel like we didn’t get off to the best start.”

She smiled and the two of us sat at the table in the middle of the room. A few feet away, Matthew couldn’t have been less interested in joining us. The chicken salad thing had really done a number on him. He sat, vacantly staring and hitting the refresh button on the Boise State football page as if there’d be breaking news. I wondered if his foul mood was a result of the judge or Heidi.

“So, you were—or are—a staff attorney?” I asked. The inquisition began.

“Yep. Um, I’ve been here for about two years. Before that I, um, did litigation at Williams and before that I clerked on the New Jersey, um, Supreme Court.” I did the math. Kate could tell.

“In case you’re wondering, I’m, um, probably ten years older than you guys.” She didn’t look it at all but I was glad she’d offered up the information. The only thing sadder than a nearly thirty-year-old law clerk with a bladder control problem was a nearly forty-year-old law clerk with a speech impediment.

“And you live where again?” Lacking any creativity at that point, I opted for the safe geographical question.

“My husband, Tom, and our dog, Linus, and I, um, live out in Wayne.” I nodded, feigning I knew (or cared) where Wayne was. To me, suburbs were suburbs and I couldn’t be bothered with distinctions, especially because the chance of my ever going to any Philadelphia suburb was about as great as the judge returning from her time with Bob as Carol Brady.

“What about you? You, um, live around here, right?” Kate softly asked.

“Yeah, I live on 12th between Spruce and Pine. I like it,” I replied.

She nodded. I sensed we didn’t have much else to say to each other, so instead of returning to my cubicle, I did the usual. Panic manic talk. “It’s fine, I mean. Apparently, there are lots of drugs there. And also hookers. But it’s nice. I mean—it’s totally fine. I mean, I like it. It’s fine. That’s what I’m trying to say.” Kate looked spooked. So did Matthew, who’d been awakened from his coma by my monologue.

“Is everything OK?” He asked, swiveling around.

“I don’t know. This place turns me into a total freak,” I answered before returning to my desk. Kate returned to her corner in the back and Matthew to his Idaho sports page.