Reese the Super lawyer Chapter 1

Reese stood on the edge of the construction site, the air heavy with the scent of sawdust and sweat. The sun beat down mercilessly, casting long shadows across the ground. Around him, the other boys laughed and jeered, their voices a cacophony of crude jokes and bravado. Reese kept his head down, focusing on the task at hand. He swung the axe with a practiced motion, the blade biting into the wood with a satisfying thunk.

The days had become a blur of monotony and frustration. Each swing of the axe felt like a reminder of the opportunities he'd squandered, the paths untaken. Miss Thompson had pushed him into this program, convinced that it was the only way to salvage something from the wreckage of his school years. Reese knew she had long since given up on him, her initial hopes now twisted into disdain.

He glanced up, catching sight of the foreman—a burly man with a booming voice and a penchant for crude humour. The foreman was in the middle of a story, gesturing animatedly as the others gathered around, hanging on his every word. Reese felt a pang of envy. He was always on the outside, watching but never truly part of the group.

As the afternoon wore on, Reese's mind drifted. He thought of his family, the chaos and noise that had defined his childhood. He thought of his brothers, Malcolm and Dewey, and the endless cycle of pranks and squabbles. He thought of his mother, Lois, her voice sharp and commanding, a constant presence in his life. And he thought of Hal, his father, whose disappointment was a quiet, unspoken thing.

The sound of laughter brought him back to the present. One of the boys had cracked a joke, and the others were doubled over, their laughter echoing across the site. Reese forced a smile, trying to join in, but the sound felt hollow in his throat.

"Hey, Reese!" one of the boys called out, his voice carrying over the noise. "You goanna stand there all day, or are you goanna do some work?"

Reese's grip tightened on the axe handle. "I'm working," he muttered, though he knew his words were lost in the din.

The foreman approached, clapping a hand on Reese's shoulder. "You're doing good work, kid," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "Keep it up."

Reese nodded, the praise feeling like a small balm against the sting of his failures. He turned back to the woodpile, determined to lose himself in the rhythm of the work.

As the day drew to a close, Reese found himself lingering at the edge of the site, watching as the others packed up and headed home. The sky was a deep, bruised purple, the first stars beginning to prick through the twilight. Reese took a deep breath, the cool evening air a welcome relief after the heat of the day.

He knew he had a long way to go, that the path ahead was uncertain and fraught with challenges. But for the first time in a long time, he felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to prove them all wrong.

The school gymnasium buzzed with the restless energy of students gathered for the assembly. The air was thick with anticipation and the faint scent of sweat. Reese sat slouched in his seat, his eyes scanning the room. He could feel the weight of the superintendent's gaze from the stage, a man whose disdain for Reese and his family was well-known. Beside him, a group of overweight, corrupt cops stood with arms crossed, their eyes fixed on Reese with a mix of amusement and malice.

Lois sat a few rows behind, her expression a mask of irritation and impatience. Reese knew she was there out of obligation, her presence a reminder of the familial ties that bound them, however tenuously.

The superintendent, a towering figure with a penchant for belittling those he deemed beneath him, stepped forward to the microphone. His voice boomed through the gym, commanding attention. "Today, we are here to address some of the ongoing issues within our school community," he began, his eyes narrowing as they landed on Reese. "And to ensure that certain individuals understand the consequences of their actions."

Reese shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He could feel the eyes of his peers on him, the whispers and snickers that followed him everywhere. The superintendent's words were a thinly veiled attack, and Reese knew it.

As the assembly droned on, one of the cops made his way down the aisle, stopping in front of Reese. "Mind if I take a look in your bag, son?" he asked, though it was clear he wasn't really asking.

Reese hesitated, but he knew there was no point in resisting. With a resigned sigh, he handed over his backpack. The cop rummaged through it with a practiced hand, pulling out a worn notebook. He flipped it open, his eyes scanning the pages.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" the cop sneered, holding up the notebook for all to see. "A little light reading on the Russo-Ukrainian War, huh? I didn't take you for a scholar, Reese."

The superintendent seized the opportunity, his voice dripping with condescension. "It seems our young Mr. Wilkerson fancies himself an expert on international affairs. Perhaps he should spend more time focusing on his studies and less on matters beyond his understanding."

Laughter rippled through the crowd, and Reese felt his cheeks burn with humiliation. He clenched his fists, fighting the urge to lash out. He could feel Lois's eyes on him, her disappointment palpable even from a distance.

The cop tossed the notebook back into Reese's lap with a smirk. "Try to stay out of trouble, kid," he said, before turning to rejoin his colleagues.

Reese sat in silence as the assembly continued, the words of the superintendent and the laughter of his peers echoing in his mind. He knew he was outnumbered, that the odds were stacked against him. But beneath the humiliation, a spark of defiance burned. He would find a way to prove them wrong, to show them that he was more than the labels they tried to pin on him.

The laughter in the gymnasium was a relentless tide, crashing over Reese with every mocking word from the superintendent. The man stood at the podium, revelling in his position of authority, his voice a weapon wielded against Reese. The notebook, with its detailed analysis of the Russo-Ukrainian War, had become a focal point of ridicule, a tool for the superintendent to belittle Reese further.

For thirty agonizing minutes, Reese endured the jeers and taunts. His patience, already worn thin, finally snapped. He rose from his seat, the laughter around him fading into a tense silence as he made his way to the front of the gym.

Standing before the superintendent, Reese's voice was steady, though his heart pounded in his chest. "Consider this, sir, a cease and desist," he declared, his words cutting through the air like a blade. He reached into his pocket and produced a card, holding it up for all to see. "This is my law card for the state of Pennsylvania."

A murmur rippled through the crowd, disbelief mingling with curiosity. Reese continued, his voice gaining strength with each word. "I am right now giving you this cease and desist. If you continue with this action, I will consider it grounds for a lawsuit. As a criminal defence attorney, I am more than qualified to serve you this notice."

He reached into his bag and pulled out two certificates, one for his undergraduate degree from Yale and the other for his law degree in criminology. "These are my credentials," he said, his gaze unwavering. "If you don't believe a word of what I say, I can provide the number for the state bar association for Pennsylvania. They will confirm that I passed the bar exam and am licensed to practice in this great state."

Reese handed the superintendent a card with the bar association's number. "You have been served with this cease and desist. I suggest you take it seriously."

The superintendent's face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment, his bravado crumbling under the weight of Reese's unexpected defiance. The room fell into a stunned silence, the students and faculty alike unsure of how to react.

From the back of the gym, Lois erupted, her voice cutting through the silence like a whip. "Reese!" she shouted, her tone a volatile mix of disbelief and fury. "What on earth do you think you're doing?"

Reese turned to face her, his expression a mixture of defiance and vulnerability. "I'm standing up for myself, Mom," he replied, his voice firm. "I'm not going to let them treat me like this anymore."

The tension in the gymnasium hung heavy in the air after Reese's bold declaration. The laughter had died down, replaced by a palpable unease. The superintendent's face twisted in anger, but before he could respond, the corrupt cops exchanged glances, their expressions darkening with malicious intent. They had been humiliated, and they were not about to let Reese get away with it.

As the assembly began to dissolve into chaos, one of the officers, a burly man with a cruel smile, stepped forward. "You think you can just come in here and play lawyer, huh?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "You think you're better than us just because you've got a fancy piece of paper?"

Reese felt a chill run down his spine as he realized the danger he had put himself in. The officer continued, stepping closer, his body language aggressive. "You're nothing but a punk kid trying to act tough. We've got a long history with your family, and trust me, we're not going to let this slide."

The other officers moved in, flanking their colleague, a united front of intimidation. The crowd, once filled with curiosity and support for Reese, now shifted uneasily, the atmosphere thickening with fear.

Lois, still fuming from Reese's earlier outburst, watched the scene unfold with a mix of anger and concern. "Reese, get back here!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the rising tension. But Reese stood his ground, determination etched on his face.

"You want to retaliate?" Reese challenged, his voice rising above the din. "You think you can intimidate me because of your badge? I'm not afraid of you!"

The officer took a step forward, his eyes narrowing. "You should be," he growled. "You've made a big mistake, kid. We can make your life a living hell."

Suddenly, the superintendent intervened, his voice booming over the escalating confrontation. "Enough! This is a school assembly, not a circus!" He turned to Reese, his expression a mix of anger and disdain. "You will face the consequences of your actions, young man. You've crossed a line."

Reese felt a surge of adrenaline, knowing he had drawn a line in the sand. But as he stood there, defiance coursing through him, he couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that lingered beneath the surface. He had made a powerful statement, but the retaliation from the cops loomed like a dark cloud overhead.

A murmur of disbelief rippled through the crowd as a lawyer, a well-dressed man with a smug expression, stepped forward. He was a parent of one of the students, and his reputation as an arrogant practitioner of law preceded him. "Making fake documents is a crime, young man," he declared, his voice dripping with condescension. "I have been practicing for thirty years, and I will gladly represent this school in a lawsuit against you. I'm friends with the local prosecutor, and I'm sure she would love to hear about your little stunt. Fraud is a serious crime, young man."

Reese felt a surge of anger, but he stood his ground. "Alright, if I'm so full of it, go ahead and ring the number," he challenged, gesturing to the card he had given the superintendent.

With a scoff, the lawyer pulled out his phone and dialled the number. The gymnasium fell into a tense silence, all eyes on the confrontation. After a few minutes of conversation, the lawyer's expression shifted from smug confidence to surprise, his brows furrowing as he listened.

Finally, he hung up, looking incredulous. "So, you were saying something about fraud? Show me your legal license now. I want to see it to just to make sure you're not a fraud yourself. Fraud is a serious crime, old man. One can't be too careful," Reese replied, a sarcastic edge to his voice.

The lawyer's face turned red with indignation. "I got my law degree from Yale, where did you get yours? The show 'Law and Order'?" Reese shot back, a smirk creeping onto his face. "So, sir, I'm waiting. Show me your license, please."

The crowd was captivated, the tension palpable as the lawyer fumbled for words. He was caught off guard, and the realization that he had underestimated Reese hung heavily in the air.

"Listen here, kid," the lawyer stammered, his confidence wavering. "You think this is some kind of game? You're playing with fire."

Reese leaned in, undeterred. "And you're playing with a kid who just graduated from Yale, so let's see what you've got."

The superintendent's face paled as the realization dawned on him. "This can't be true! You're actually a lawyer? You're the one who once put dog crap in my car and slashed the headmaster's tires a few years ago!" His voice trembled with disbelief and anger.

Reese smirked, enjoying the moment. The gymnasium buzzed with whispers, the students captivated by the unfolding drama. The older lawyer, still reeling from the call he had just made, glanced at the superintendent. "Yes, it's true. They confirmed he passed the bar exam," he admitted reluctantly.

The superintendent's reaction was explosive. "This is a huge deal!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the gym. "We have a criminal defence attorney in our midst, and he's been making a mockery of our school!"

Lois, who had been watching the exchange with a mix of pride and disbelief, suddenly found her voice. "Reese, is this true? You graduated college? You didn't tell me!" Her tone was incredulous, a mixture of shock and a hint of admiration.

Malcolm, unable to contain himself any longer, erupted into a frenzy. "But you're an idiot! Mom is meant to go to Harvard with me to pick out dorm rooms! Are you seriously saying you actually graduated college?" His voice was filled with panic, as if the very foundation of his world was crumbling.

Reese couldn't help but throw in a sarcastic comment. "Surprise! I guess some of us have been busy while you were busy being a narcissist."

The older lawyer, still visibly shaken, confirmed Reese's achievement. "Yes, he graduated. It appears he's done more than I thought."

Malcolm's face twisted in a mix of disbelief and rage. "This can't be happening!" He was on the verge of a full-blown mental breakdown, his hands gripping the edge of the bleachers as he struggled to process the information.

The superintendent shot Reese a death glare, his frustration boiling over. "You think this is a joke, don't you? You think you can just waltz in here and make a fool of everyone?"

Reese, undeterred, turned to the older lawyer. "I know you tried the Watson case. I represented her and got her off a traffic stop. She said you bungled her case and made her take a plea deal when you didn't have that authority."

The tension in the gym reached a boiling point, the crowd buzzing with the implications of Reese's words. All eyes were on him, waiting to see how this confrontation would unfold.

Reese stood tall, the weight of the moment pressing down on him as he faced the superintendent. "So, Superintendent," he began, his voice steady and confident, "you know now that I have the authority to give you that cease and desist. And you now know I can represent myself. Even though I've only done a few cases, I'm pretty happy with my income, so I have the means to fight back."

The superintendent's expression darkened, but Reese pressed on, the adrenaline fuelling his words. "Furthermore, you would be represented by an attorney who hasn't won a case in two years and who bungled one of his cases—not because he lost, but because he violated one sacred rule of law."

The crowd was silent, hanging on his every word. "You see, the client has three areas they can say no to you in: one, whether they plead guilty; two, whether they take the stand in court; and three, whether they take a plea deal. You violated number three, sir, in the Watson case. You made your client take a plea when you had no right to do so. A lawyer has no right to decide in that area; it's up to the client to decide, not you."

Reese's voice rose with conviction. "So you really have an interesting career. You might have practiced for thirty years, but your past is very shady. I helped Watson win a case, but I helped her win by following the rules—by doing it by the book, not what you did."

The gymnasium buzzed with murmurs, the students and faculty processing Reese's bold claims. The superintendent's face flushed with anger and embarrassment, his authority challenged in front of the entire student body.

Reese turned his gaze to the older lawyer, his tone both challenging and sarcastic. "So, Mr. Lawyer of 30 years, are you still going to represent the school, or are you going to do the right thing? Retire, or maybe, you know, show some professional courtesy to one of your own?" Reese paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"To be honest, I would rather be where I am at the start of my career, helping people with traffic fines or charges of vandalism, than be you, who bungled not just that case but a few others I can mention now. Also, as a fellow attorney, I'm amazed you haven't pointed out that these cops searched my bags without probable cause or a warrant."

The lawyer's face tightened, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features. Reese pressed on, his voice rising with righteous indignation. "You also haven't seemed to notice that these cops might not be here with the permission of their captain, and I will be sure to tell said captain and see what he thinks. So, tell me, sir, are you goanna still stand in my way, or will I be allowed to give the superintendent this cease and desist?"

Reese's eyes burned with intensity as he continued, "You saw me get abused verbally and emotionally for 30 minutes, and they searched my bag, violating my 4th Amendment rights. These cops were dumb enough to threaten an attorney. So decide, sir."

The older lawyer hesitated, the weight of Reese's accusations hanging heavily in the air. The students and faculty watched in silence, the tension in the room palpable.

Reese's voice echoed through the gymnasium, unwavering and resolute. "You heard what I just said. I have standing for this cease and desist, and I will also claim in a lawsuit that you witnessed me get emotionally and verbally abused in front of a thousand people and did nothing to help. I'm sure a judge or jury would love that."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "Also, the jackass superintendent did this in front of a thousand people, not in the privacy of his own office. Even you can't defend that. Even you would have to admit that was extremely unprofessional of him, and he had no valid reason for doing so."

Reese's eyes locked onto the older lawyer's, a challenge hanging in the air. "So what is your choice, sir? Decide now, for I would be more than happy to handle this in the courtroom."

The lawyer, visibly torn, shifted his stance, considering the gravity of Reese's argument. The crowd watched with bated breath, the tension almost tangible as they awaited his decision.

Finally, the lawyer spoke, his voice tinged with resignation. "I... I cannot defend actions that violate basic rights. I will not stand in your way, Reese."

Reese nodded to the lawyer, a hint of satisfaction in his expression. "Thank you, sir. I hope you actually defend the downtrodden in the future or consider retirement. Thirty years is a long time to be practicing; maybe go on a very long holiday, Mr. Thirty-Year Lawyer."

Turning his attention back to the superintendent, Reese continued, "You heard him. This guy has practiced for thirty years and backs up what I say. You violated my rights. So, are you going to acknowledge my cease and desist, or should we take this to court in a lawsuit? Remember, sir, this big-shot thirty-year lawyer I made cry like a bitch, so imagine what I can do to you now. Decide, sir, for I don't have all day."

The superintendent's face was a mask of frustration and anger, his mind racing as he weighed his options. The gymnasium was silent, the tension thick as everyone awaited his response.

After a moment that felt like an eternity, the superintendent finally spoke, his voice strained. "I... I acknowledge your cease and desist, Reese. But this isn't over."

Reese sat at the dinner table, the weight of the day's events still heavy on his shoulders. The atmosphere was tense, charged with unspoken words as Lois entered the room, her expression a mix of disbelief and concern. She had witnessed the confrontation at the assembly, and now, seeing Reese sitting there, she couldn't help but react.

"Reese," she began, her voice rising slightly, "I can't believe what I saw today. You're actually a lawyer now? This is a huge deal, and you just went and made a spectacle of yourself in front of the entire school!"

Malcolm, who had been sulking at the table, suddenly erupted. "What the hell, Reese? You're a lawyer? You were supposed to be my backup for college! Mom and I were going to Harvard to pick out dorm rooms together! Not you, you idiot!" His frustration boiled over, the reality of the situation hitting him hard.

Hal, hearing the commotion for the first time, looked up from his plate, confusion etched on his face. "What's going on? What do you mean Reese is a lawyer?" He struggled to comprehend the transformation of his hoodlum son into something so unexpected.

Reese, determined to prove himself, pulled out his law card and held it up as proof. "Here, Dad. This is real. I've passed the bar exam. I'm a practicing attorney now."

Hal stared at the card, his expression blank as if he had entered a catatonic state. He simply got up from the table, mumbling something about needing to go to bed, leaving Lois and Malcolm in stunned silence.

Reese turned to Lois, his voice firm. "Mom, you need to face facts. I did this to stop crap like what that superintendent tried to pull today. Considering he backed down and accepted my cease and desist, I'd say I'm doing pretty good. And that lawyer of thirty years? I made him look like a fool."

Lois opened her mouth to respond, but Reese cut her off. "Please think before you say I'm a failure, because, Mom, in about a year, I will out-earn you. And in three years, I will out-earn you and Dad combined. So please, don't talk down to me. I've done about three cases and just wrapped up one. I won all of them—three traffic cases and one minor vandalism case. I know it's not much, but I'm only a few months in."