I’m ready,” Raymond said.
While sipping her herbal tea, Lisa looked over some of the information Raymond had submitted. “Give me just a minute,” she said as she spread butter on a blueberry muffin. “Are you sure coffee is all you need?”
“The coffee is just fine,” Raymond said. While Lisa was reviewing the FBI information and his financial records, Raymond studied Lisa Lanier. She had a slender face and sandy-colored hair with blond natural streaks. It was softly styled and fell right below her shoulders. When she looked up from the file, Raymond noticed her grayish-blue eyes were gentle and peaceful. After a few moments, she said in a kind voice, “Everything looks fine. This should be a piece of cake.”
“I hope you’re right. I’ve never been through anything like this,” Raymond said.
Lisa dabbed her lower lip with a Kleenex and asked, “You’re single, right?”
Raymond took a deep breath. He always hated this question. Could he consider himself single? Didn’t the people who nominated him know of his living arrangements? He could hear his mother’s voice saying, “Tell the truth, baby.”
“I’m in a committed relationship,” he said forcefully.
Lisa’s eyebrows raised ever so slightly, but before she could ask for further clarification, Raymond added, “With a man.”
Lisa took a bite of her muffin and said, “Oh.”
“That’s not going to be a problem, is it?”
“Oh no. I’m just glad you told me. We have judges on the federal bench who are gay. In fact, there is an African-American woman who’s gay, I think, somewhere in the South. But you can be sure the FBI will ask you this in the interview, so shoot straight. I mean, tell them the truth,” Lisa said as she grinned at her pun.
“No problem, I will,” Raymond said.
“But I will be honest with you. Your lifestyle will open you up for all kinds of questions. They will check your partner and close friends,” Lisa advised.
Raymond hated it when people referred to his life with Trent as a lifestyle, but he had become used to it, so he asked Lisa what type of questions.
“You know, like what do you think of the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy, and more than likely the gay marriage thing.”
“Would you like to know how I might respond?” Raymond asked.
“Not right now, just think about it. We have more than enough time to cover the specifics.”
Lisa spent the next fifteen minutes explaining her duties, while Raymond was thinking how he would answer the gay marriage question. He knew very well that people felt passionately about the issue on both sides. Lisa told Raymond she would set up and videotape mock confirmation hearings. Raymond could watch his performance and make changes where needed, especially with questions about gay issues. Lisa also pointed out that he would be questioned about his feelings on affirmative action.
“I don’t see that being a problem, you’re so articulate,” Lisa said.
“Thank you,” Raymond grimaced. Another thing he hated was when white folks used the term
articulate
when describing his speech.He couldn’t stand the a-word. A code for black people who spoke the King’s English like it was a second language. It was like whites and some lower-class blacks were so surprised. Surely someone had seen him in the courtroom, or heard some of the lectures he’d given while teaching constitutional law at the University of Washington law school. Anyone who knew Raymond Tyler knew he was an articulate and skilled conversationalist. Whenever he worked on a case with other partners in the office, they always wanted Raymond to do the closing argument for that reason alone. There had been many times when he won cases because of his persuasive and powerful manner that others had assumed were certain defeats.
“The good news is, we’ve passed the first big hurdle. The local bar association has approved your nomination,” Lisa said.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Raymond
While sipping her herbal tea, Lisa looked over some of the information Raymond had submitted. “Give me just a minute,” she said as she spread butter on a blueberry muffin. “Are you sure coffee is all you need?”
“The coffee is just fine,” Raymond said. While Lisa was reviewing the FBI information and his financial records, Raymond studied Lisa Lanier. She had a slender face and sandy-colored hair with blond natural streaks. It was softly styled and fell right below her shoulders. When she looked up from the file, Raymond noticed her grayish-blue eyes were gentle and peaceful. After a few moments, she said in a kind voice, “Everything looks fine. This should be a piece of cake.”
“I hope you’re right. I’ve never been through anything like this,” Raymond said.
Lisa dabbed her lower lip with a Kleenex and asked, “You’re single, right?”
Raymond took a deep breath. He always hated this question. Could he consider himself single? Didn’t the people who nominated him know of his living arrangements? He could hear his mother’s voice saying, “Tell the truth, baby.”
“I’m in a committed relationship,” he said forcefully.
Lisa’s eyebrows raised ever so slightly, but before she could ask for further clarification, Raymond added, “With a man.”
Lisa took a bite of her muffin and said, “Oh.”
“That’s not going to be a problem, is it?”
“Oh no. I’m just glad you told me. We have judges on the federal bench who are gay. In fact, there is an African-American woman who’s gay, I think, somewhere in the South. But you can be sure the FBI will ask you this in the interview, so shoot straight. I mean, tell them the truth,” Lisa said as she grinned at her pun.
“No problem, I will,” Raymond said.
“But I will be honest with you. Your lifestyle will open you up for all kinds of questions. They will check your partner and close friends,” Lisa advised.
Raymond hated it when people referred to his life with Trent as a lifestyle, but he had become used to it, so he asked Lisa what type of questions.
“You know, like what do you think of the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy, and more than likely the gay marriage thing.”
“Would you like to know how I might respond?” Raymond asked.
“Not right now, just think about it. We have more than enough time to cover the specifics.”
Lisa spent the next fifteen minutes explaining her duties, while Raymond was thinking how he would answer the gay marriage question. He knew very well that people felt passionately about the issue on both sides. Lisa told Raymond she would set up and videotape mock confirmation hearings. Raymond could watch his performance and make changes where needed, especially with questions about gay issues. Lisa also pointed out that he would be questioned about his feelings on affirmative action.
“I don’t see that being a problem, you’re so articulate,” Lisa said.
“Thank you,” Raymond grimaced. Another thing he hated was when white folks used the term
articulate
when describing his speech.He couldn’t stand the a-word. A code for black people who spoke the King’s English like it was a second language. It was like whites and some lower-class blacks were so surprised. Surely someone had seen him in the courtroom, or heard some of the lectures he’d given while teaching constitutional law at the University of Washington law school. Anyone who knew Raymond Tyler knew he was an articulate and skilled conversationalist. Whenever he worked on a case with other partners in the office, they always wanted Raymond to do the closing argument for that reason alone. There had been many times when he won cases because of his persuasive and powerful manner that others had assumed were certain defeats.
“The good news is, we’ve passed the first big hurdle. The local bar association has approved your nomination,” Lisa said.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Raymond
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