Read Online Special Circumstances by Sheldon Siegel - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sheldon Siegel
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just to see what it feels like to havea lot on my mind.
Joel and Naomi Friedman arrive by cab and join us. Joel has been askedto speak and he looks nervous. Naomi is a petite brunette with curlyhair and dark features who teaches nursery school at the JewishCommunity Center. She’s a ball of fire. Perfect for Joel.
We head in and pay our brief respects to Bob’s widow, Beth, and herthree children, ages two to five, all of whom are sitting in the frontrow. The second row is reserved for Bob’s three ex-wives and theircurrent spouses and significant others and Bob’s four children from hisprevious marriages.
The Simpson and Gates contingent occupies about twenty rows on the leftside of the cathedral as you face the front. We take our seatsopposite them on the right side. I’m not in the mood to visit with myformer colleagues today. The back of the house is packed. The legalcommunity has turned out. So have the politicians and the upper crustof Pacific Heights. Somber organ music emanates from the front of thecathedral. I never had a chance to work such a big crowd when I was apriest.
At ten-fifteen, the organist plays a loud chord, signaling the serviceis about to begin. A young minister welcomes us and says a fewperfunctory words about Bob’s life and career. He clearly never methim. He introduces Art Patton, who tries to appear respectful, butlooks like David Letterman preparing to deliver a monologue as hesaunters to the front. Rosie is thinking the same thing and shewhispers to me, “He thinks it’s the firm Christmas party.”
“Thank you for coming,” Art says.
“Bob would have been pleased to see such a large turnout. It’s sadthat it takes a great tragedy to bring us together. I hope we willhave a chance to meet on a happier occasion.” His eyes gleam. Hetakes a deep breath. It’s hard to look somber with a smirk plasteredon your face.
“Bob Holmes was a great lawyer and my best friend.”
Murmurs from the S&G section. Art’s taking some license. He and Bobcoexisted, but it’s a stretch to say they were friends, let alone greatfriends. Some people think they hated each other’s guts.
“He was also a great humanitarian.”
Someone in the S&G section laughs out loud.
“It’s appropriate that we gather here to celebrate his life and pay ourrespects to his memory.” He describes Bob’s humble beginnings inWilkes-Barre, his education at Penn and Harvard Law School, hisadmission to the partnership at the age of thirty-two. He says Bob wasa loving father, but doesn’t linger on the subject of his fourmarriages. Bob’s eldest son once told me that the children from hisfirst three marriages stopped speaking to him several years ago.
After a brief description of Bob’s achievements, he introduces Joel,who walks slowly to the lectern, a faraway look in his eyes.
“My name is Joel Friedman. Bob Holmes was my colleague, my mentor andmy friend.
This is the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do.”
Easy, Joel.
“Bob taught me how to be a lawyer. He taught me how to handledifficult situations. And, despite what some people may think, hetaught me how important it is to treat everyone with respect. He was afine man whose legacy is in this room. He leaves his family,colleagues and friends with memories of a man who worked hard, lovedhis family and loved his job. I will miss him.”
Well done. He steps away from the podium to compose himself. Theminister comforts him.
Skipper’s up next. Rosie whispers, “This should be a beaut.”
Skipper does his best to look serious. He faces the television cameraand says, “I knew Bob for twenty-two years. He was one of the finestlawyers I’ve ever met. More than anyone else, Bob built Simpson andGates into a powerhouse.” He pauses.
“More importantly, I want to say a few words about Bob, the man. Bobwas sometimes difficult to get along with. That’s the price you payfor dealing with genius. He never demanded more from his colleaguesthan he expected from himself.
Joel and Naomi Friedman arrive by cab and join us. Joel has been askedto speak and he looks nervous. Naomi is a petite brunette with curlyhair and dark features who teaches nursery school at the JewishCommunity Center. She’s a ball of fire. Perfect for Joel.
We head in and pay our brief respects to Bob’s widow, Beth, and herthree children, ages two to five, all of whom are sitting in the frontrow. The second row is reserved for Bob’s three ex-wives and theircurrent spouses and significant others and Bob’s four children from hisprevious marriages.
The Simpson and Gates contingent occupies about twenty rows on the leftside of the cathedral as you face the front. We take our seatsopposite them on the right side. I’m not in the mood to visit with myformer colleagues today. The back of the house is packed. The legalcommunity has turned out. So have the politicians and the upper crustof Pacific Heights. Somber organ music emanates from the front of thecathedral. I never had a chance to work such a big crowd when I was apriest.
At ten-fifteen, the organist plays a loud chord, signaling the serviceis about to begin. A young minister welcomes us and says a fewperfunctory words about Bob’s life and career. He clearly never methim. He introduces Art Patton, who tries to appear respectful, butlooks like David Letterman preparing to deliver a monologue as hesaunters to the front. Rosie is thinking the same thing and shewhispers to me, “He thinks it’s the firm Christmas party.”
“Thank you for coming,” Art says.
“Bob would have been pleased to see such a large turnout. It’s sadthat it takes a great tragedy to bring us together. I hope we willhave a chance to meet on a happier occasion.” His eyes gleam. Hetakes a deep breath. It’s hard to look somber with a smirk plasteredon your face.
“Bob Holmes was a great lawyer and my best friend.”
Murmurs from the S&G section. Art’s taking some license. He and Bobcoexisted, but it’s a stretch to say they were friends, let alone greatfriends. Some people think they hated each other’s guts.
“He was also a great humanitarian.”
Someone in the S&G section laughs out loud.
“It’s appropriate that we gather here to celebrate his life and pay ourrespects to his memory.” He describes Bob’s humble beginnings inWilkes-Barre, his education at Penn and Harvard Law School, hisadmission to the partnership at the age of thirty-two. He says Bob wasa loving father, but doesn’t linger on the subject of his fourmarriages. Bob’s eldest son once told me that the children from hisfirst three marriages stopped speaking to him several years ago.
After a brief description of Bob’s achievements, he introduces Joel,who walks slowly to the lectern, a faraway look in his eyes.
“My name is Joel Friedman. Bob Holmes was my colleague, my mentor andmy friend.
This is the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do.”
Easy, Joel.
“Bob taught me how to be a lawyer. He taught me how to handledifficult situations. And, despite what some people may think, hetaught me how important it is to treat everyone with respect. He was afine man whose legacy is in this room. He leaves his family,colleagues and friends with memories of a man who worked hard, lovedhis family and loved his job. I will miss him.”
Well done. He steps away from the podium to compose himself. Theminister comforts him.
Skipper’s up next. Rosie whispers, “This should be a beaut.”
Skipper does his best to look serious. He faces the television cameraand says, “I knew Bob for twenty-two years. He was one of the finestlawyers I’ve ever met. More than anyone else, Bob built Simpson andGates into a powerhouse.” He pauses.
“More importantly, I want to say a few words about Bob, the man. Bobwas sometimes difficult to get along with. That’s the price you payfor dealing with genius. He never demanded more from his colleaguesthan he expected from himself.
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