Thursday, January 29, 2004

Don’t Apologize

My boss was reading to me today from a document a law librarian had compiled.  They have an “ask a law librarian” service, where you can email a law librarian “24/7” - live during business hours, or you get a response the next day if you leave a message late.  One of these on-line law librarians just compiled all the inquiries and messages he got during a one-month period.  It looked like a lot of material.  My boss was going through some of the questions, wondering how he’d understood them well enough to offer an answer that was helpful while still being within the bounds of legal propriety. 

One question in particular affected me.  It was in the form of a long missive, larded with court language but used in an uncomfortable and stilted way, like a really bad fake foreign accent; he was asking for information about child custody and support under circumstances that were sketchy and vague in many ways - it sounded like it could have been very serious or totally bogus.  But he sounded sincere and more than a little desperate.  And then he caught me by surprise.  His last sentence was something I hadn’t been ready for.  He ended his message to the on-line law librarian by saying, “I’m sorry I type so slow.”

Dude - take your time.  Typing speed should be the least of your concerns.  And good luck getting back with your daughter.

True. But then again, it just shows his level of desperation, lack of self-confidence, and eagerness to get help while not annoying the person he’s asking. Poor guy. Hope he gets his kid back. Better yet, hope he gets his kid back only if he deserves it.

Hope he gets the kid? For some reason, that description you gave reminded me of Humbert Humbert.

I had a really hard time telling what was going on, but the allegations that he broached seemed to involve some sort of abuse or mistreatment at the hands of the other parent and the other parent’s lover.  There was also something about badmouthing the father on Father’s Day.  This guy does seem to have his share of problems, but incestuous pedophilia didn’t leap out as a primary one.  And you’d figure, if it was there, it would be pretty primary.

Man, I had been meaning to apologize for reading your site so slow, but now I’m afraid you’re going to call me out in front of everyone.

Great story!  (I was once a court reporter in case you’re wondering how I typed this so quickly).