There was only the sound of the clerk gathering papers and my father breathing through his nose as if he had been personally insulted by the truth.
Judge Simmons addressed me before closing the file.
“Commander Carter, the court recognizes your documentation and your appearance today.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.”
His gaze dropped briefly to the ribbons on my chest.
Then he nodded.
It was a small gesture.
It meant more than my parents understood.
Outside the courtroom, Dad caught up with me in the hallway.
“You made us look like liars,” he said.
I shifted the folder under my arm.
“I brought the receipts.”
“You wore that uniform to humiliate us.”
“I wore it because you spent twelve years pretending it was a costume.”
Mom stood several feet behind him.
Her pearls were slightly crooked now.
“Evelyn,” she said, “we are still your parents.”
I looked at both of them.
