Campbell

       SHE’S NOT GOING TO VETO the petition.

That’s my first incredible thought—that my case isn’t going down in flames yet, even after Julia’s testimony¹.

My second thought is that Julia is as ripped up about this case and what it’s done to Anna as I am, exceptshe’s put it out there on display for everyone to see.

Judge has chosen this moment to become a colossal² pain in the ass³. He sinks his teeth into my coat and startstugging, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to break before I hear Julia finish.

“Ms. Romano,” DeSalvo asks, “what’s your recommendation to the court?”

“I don’t know,” she says softly. “I’m sorry. This is the first time I’ve ever served as a guardian⁵ ad litem andbeen unable to reach a recommendation, and I know that’s not acceptable. But on one hand I have Brian andSara Fitzgerald, who have done nothing but make choices throughout the course of both their daughters’ livesout of love. Put that way, they certainly don’t seem like the wrong decisions—even if they aren’t the rightdecisions for both of those daughters anymore.”

She turns to Anna, and beside me I can feel her sit a little straighter, prouder. “On the other hand, I haveAnna, who after thirteen years is standing⁶ up for herself—even though it may mean losing the sister sheloves.” Julia shakes her head. “It’s a Solomon’s choice, Your Honor. But you’re not asking me to split a babyin half. You’re asking me to split a family.”

When I feel a tug⁴ on my other arm I start to slap the dog away again, but then realize that this time, it’s Anna.

“Okay,” she whispers.

Judge DeSalvo excuses Julia from the stand. “Okay what?” I whisper back.

“Okay I’ll talk,” Anna says.

I stare at her in disbelief. Judge is whining⁷ now, and batting his nose against my thigh⁸, but I can’t risk arecess. All it will take for Anna to change her mind is a split second. “You sure?”

But she doesn’t answer me. She stands up, drawing all attention in the courtroom to herself. “JudgeDeSalvo?” Anna takes a deep breath. “I have something to say.”

1 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

2 colossal   

adj.异常的，庞大的

参考例句：

• There has been a colossal waste of public money.一直存在巨大的公款浪费。
• Some of the tall buildings in that city are colossal.那座城市里的一些高层建筑很庞大。

3 ass   

n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人

参考例句：

• He is not an ass as they make him.他不象大家猜想的那样笨。
• An ass endures his burden but not more than his burden.驴能负重但不能超过它能力所负担的。

4 tug   

v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船

参考例句：

• We need to tug the car round to the front.我们需要把那辆车拉到前面。
• The tug is towing three barges.那只拖船正拖着三只驳船。

5 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

6 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

7 whining   

n. 抱怨，牢骚 v. 哭诉，发牢骚

参考例句：

• That's the way with you whining, puny, pitiful players. 你们这种又爱哭、又软弱、又可怜的赌棍就是这样。
• The dog sat outside the door whining (to be let in). 那条狗坐在门外狺狺叫着（要进来）。

8 thigh   

n.大腿；股骨

参考例句：

• He is suffering from a strained thigh muscle.他的大腿肌肉拉伤了，疼得很。
• The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone.股骨连着髋骨。