Exultation.

.

I went home last night with my heart leaping in boundless joy.

.

There was a certain air of excitement in the office yesterday afternoon. The secretary of my boss was all smiles when I passed by her desk. The junior partner likewise greeted me with joy that was a bit more than the usual. It did not take long before the cause of such jolly reached my desk. We received notice from the Supreme Court dismissing two criminal cases against a client whose defense I am handling.
.

When the news was relayed to me, I could see in the secretary's eyes that she was expecting me to jump for joy or break into a celebratory dance. I didn't. Though I was a bit surprised that the highest court reversed the ruling of the trial court, I just chalked it up as another win. One among the many. Another case closed. Another folder to place in the archive of the office. Another client who will walk out of my professional life.

.

I was happy with the win but it was hardly enough to move me to dance. Even if, granted, I don't really dance. At all.

.

The significance of the win took time to dawn on me. It was only after reading the decision that I felt the joy and excitement that everyone else was feeling. And after it entered my system, it creeped all over me that it made my body shiver, my hair rise and my heart beat fast. Before I finished reading the Supreme Court's resolution, a smile has formed on my face, from ear to ear, and I have begun to think that the win is special.

.
The win is personally special for the following reasons. First, the Supreme Court adopted the very line of reasoning that I espoused and it was as if they simply copied the allegations in our petition. Second, all five justices concurred in the decision without anyone registering a dissent. Third, in the decision, the tribunal made extensive citations and quotations of my cross-examinations of the witnesses for the prosecution. This is a coup de grace as I did not include these quotations in my own pleading, having forgotten to have made such points myself. Also, the case was handled by the most senior litigator in the firm and myself and the Supreme Court saw more exculpatory points in my cross. Ha ha. Fourth, with the way that the decision is written, there is a very good chance that it will be published in the prestigious SCRA and my name will be there too ---a first time for me. Lastly, the case was decided on the merits and I am 100% sure that no money or any kind of favor exchanged between our client or office and the justices.
.

It was a personal triumph. A testament to the quality of my legal practice. And the office beamed in pride and happiness for me. I was exultant.
.

A few minutes after I finished reading, the senior partner entered my cubicle to congratulate me. He acknowledged that I single-handedly delivered the win to the client and the firm. Again, ha ha.

Even in the car, as I drove home, I was beaming from the decision of the Supreme Court. This morning, I received a call from the exonerated client thanking and congratulating me. I congratulated him also that a thorn on his back was removed. He can now return to a normal life without the hassles incumbent in a court case. He also invited me to a victory party that he will be throwing out.

.

I am so happy for this client. He is a person worth defending. He always believed that I could help him even if at times the decisions of the trial court were unfavorable to us and though at times my lack of experience surfaces. He also respects and treats me as an equal even though he is far older than I am. And though he is a very successful businessman and former government officer, he never treated me like his pawn or slave and never looked down on me, unlike most rich bitches.

.

I wanted to celebrate last night but when I left the office it was already nine o'clock and I wanted to catch Ugly Betty on TV. Also, there wasn't a special someone that I could haul to a dinner and some wine. Leslie has left for Italy. I haven't contacted Quincy in more than a month. And I had too much pride to grovel in the doorstep of Rachel's house in the aftermath of my professional success. If our encounter didn't go well, it would have ruined the whole evening for me.

.

So for lack of anyone else to celebrate the win, I have chosen to share it with the Men of the Year for 2007 and 2008, Julian Fantechi and Orlando Bloom. As I said, even if there is a new MOTY winner, I will continue to feature Julian of the Day. That dick goes well with chilled red wine. Like porterhouse steak. Or maybe I'll scatter salt on his body to go with my favorite Cuervo Especial.

.

Here comes Orly picking me up from the office. Bye bye.

.

Copy and related rights to photographs and digital images appearing herein pertain to their respective authors, photographers and copyright owners. No commercial purpose or financial gain is intended by their inclusion in this blog. All accompanying texts are protected by copyright and related intellectual property laws in favor of saturdayconfessions.