Jordie’s World, Part 3

Chapter 7

The autumn air in Seattle felt different from Sedro-Woolley's – crisper, tinged with the scent of coffee and the salt of Puget Sound. Jordie, now 24, hurried across the University of Washington campus, her secondhand leather messenger bag thumping against her hip. Her hand unconsciously reached up to touch the star pendant around her neck, a gesture that had become as natural as breathing over the years.

As she entered the imposing law building, Jordie couldn't help but feel a flutter of anxiety in her stomach. Professor Hargrove's Constitutional Law class loomed ahead, a challenge she both dreaded and craved. She found her usual seat near the back of the lecture hall, smoothing down her thrift store blazer as she sat.

Even though they were two weeks into the fall term, the students in the class were still intimidated by Professor Hargrove. Maybe more intimidated. They’d all heard stories of the brittle and imposing professor. How he wore loud bow ties, which accentuated his tiny and thin frame. His size made his stentorian voice shocking – a deep baritone, he spoke without using the microphone that most other professors used in the lecture rooms.

Hargrove used the Socratic method of teaching, requiring several hours of careful reading and note taking of the cases before attending each class. But the most nerve wracking part of being in his class wasn’t the interrogation-level questioning that propelled the class along. No, it was the silences. When an unprepared student was found out, Hargrove stared in silence as the student clammed up. Seconds went by before Hargrove moved on to the next student.

The first week of class, before Jordie had her first Hargrove experience, she asked a 2L in the coffee shop, “So, you mean he’s like that professor, Kingsfield, in The Paper Chase?”

“Oh, no, Hargrove isn’t anywhere near that nice.”

Jordie unzipped her backpack and pulled out her laptop and paper journal for note taking just as the professor opened the door to the lecture hall.

"Ready for another Hargrove special?" whispered Mei, Jordie's study partner, sliding into the seat next to her.

Jordie managed a wry smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Professor Hargrove swept into the room, his presence immediately commanding attention. Under his leonine mane of dark brown hair, his piercing gaze swept over the students, and Jordie felt herself shrink slightly in her seat.

"Today," Hargrove's voice boomed, "we'll be discussing the intricacies of the Commerce Clause. Ms. Goodwin, perhaps you'd like to start us off by explaining its significance in Gibbons v. Ogden?"

Jordie's heart raced. She'd studied this case extensively, but under Hargrove's scrutiny, her mind went blank. She could almost hear Mark's voice in her head: "You've got this, squirt. Take a deep breath."

Swallowing hard, Jordie began to speak, her voice growing stronger with each word. "In Gibbons v. Ogden, the Supreme Court established that the Commerce Clause gives Congress broad power to regulate interstate commerce. The case involved a dispute over navigation rights between states, and the Court ruled that commerce includes not just buying and selling, but also the means by which it's conducted, like navigation."

"Not bad, Ms. Goodwin," Hargrove said, the faintest hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Now, let's delve deeper. How might this ruling apply to modern interstate business practices?"

Jordie paused, considering. "Well, it could apply to internet commerce, for example. A company based in one state selling products to customers in another would fall under federal regulation due to the Commerce Clause."

Hargrove nodded, his eyes gleaming. "Interesting. Mr. Chen, how might this interpretation be challenged?"

A student two rows ahead of Jordie cleared his throat nervously. "Um, perhaps if the business was conducted entirely within one state?"

"Perhaps indeed," Hargrove mused. "Ms. Goodwin, can you think of a case that might complicate this interpretation?"

Jordie's mind raced. "Wickard v. Filburn," she said after a moment. "The Court ruled that even purely local activities could be regulated if they have a substantial effect on interstate commerce."

"Excellent," Hargrove boomed. "And how does this expand our understanding of the Commerce Clause?"

"It suggests that the federal government's power under the Commerce Clause is quite broad," Jordie replied. "Even activities that seem local could potentially fall under federal jurisdiction if they impact interstate commerce in aggregate."

Hargrove's eyebrows rose slightly. "And the potential dangers of this interpretation, Ms. Goodwin?"

Jordie hesitated, then plunged ahead. "It could lead to an overreach of federal power, potentially infringing on states' rights and individual liberties."

"Indeed," Hargrove said, his voice softening slightly. "A complex issue, isn't it? One that continues to be debated in our courts today." He turned to address the class at large. "This is the heart of constitutional law, students. The constant tension between federal power, states' rights, and individual liberties. Remember, every case we study is not just about the law, but about the very fabric of our society."

As the class progressed, Jordie found herself fully engaged, the initial anxiety giving way to intellectual excitement. This was why she was here, why she'd worked so hard to get into law school. She could almost feel Mark's pride radiating through her.

After class, as Jordie gathered her things, Professor Hargrove approached her desk. "Ms. Goodwin, a word?"

Jordie's stomach clenched. Had she said something wrong?

"Your analysis today was... impressive," Hargrove said, his tone measured. "I'd like you to consider applying for the Sherman Fairchild Fellowship. It's highly competitive, but I think you have potential."

Jordie blinked, stunned. "Thank you, Professor. I... I'll definitely look into it."

As Hargrove walked away, Mei nudged Jordie excitedly. "Do you know how big a deal that is? Hargrove never recommends anyone for that fellowship!"

Jordie nodded, still processing. As they left the building, the Seattle drizzle hit her face, grounding her in the moment.

"We should celebrate," Mei insisted. "Coffee? My treat."

As they walked to the nearby café, Jordie's mind raced. The fellowship would be an incredible opportunity, but the application process would be grueling. And the financial aid office had just warned her that her financial aid was hanging by a thread...

Settling into a cozy corner of the café, the aroma of espresso filling the air, Jordie pulled out her laptop. "I should start researching the fellowship requirements," she said, already typing.

Mei laughed. "You never stop, do you? That's why you're going to make it big someday, Jordan Goodwin."

Jordie paused, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. "I have to," she said softly. "I made a promise."

Her hand reached up to touch the star pendant, and for a moment, she was back on those porch steps in Sedro-Woolley, Mark's arm around her shoulders, the stars twinkling above them.

"You okay?" Mei asked, concern in her voice.

Jordie nodded, blinking back the sudden moisture in her eyes. "Yeah, I'm good. Just... remembering something important."

As she dove back into her research, Jordie felt a familiar mix of determination and hope. The path ahead would be challenging, but she was ready. After all, she had the stars to guide her.

Chapter 8

The financial aid office was tucked away in a corner of the administration building, its beige walls and fluorescent lighting a stark contrast to the grandeur of the law school. Jordie sat in an uncomfortable plastic chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, as she waited for her appointment. She could see the maple trees through the window at the end of the hall. Nearly bare of leaves, the trees seemed to signal that although fall had just arrived, winter was nearly here. Jordie’s mind raced, reviewing her performance in her classes this quarter.

"Jordan Goodwin?" A tired-looking woman with graying hair called from the doorway.

Jordie stood, smoothing her secondhand skirt. "That's me."

Inside the cramped office, Mrs. Patel, the financial aid advisor, shuffled through a stack of papers. "I wanted to discuss your academic progress, Ms. Goodwin. While your performance in Professor Hargrove's Constitutional Law class is commendable, we’re concerned about your grades in Legal Methods and Criminal Procedure."

Jordie's stomach dropped. She'd been so focused on excelling in Hargrove's class that she hadn't realized how much she'd been struggling in the others.

"I... I've been working hard," Jordie stammered, her cheeks flushing.

Mrs. Patel's expression softened slightly. "I'm sure you have. But your overall GPA looks like it could slip and put part of your financial aid at risk. Specifically, it might affect your chances for the Sherman Fairchild Fellowship."

The words hit Jordie like a physical blow. The fellowship – her ticket to securing her future at law school and reducing the amount she’d need to borrow – suddenly seemed to be slipping away.

"What can I do?" Jordie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You have until the end of the quarter to bring your grades up," Mrs. Patel explained. "I'd suggest speaking with your professors, particularly in the classes where you're struggling. I know Professor Hargrove seems to have taken an interest in your progress and speaks highly of you. Perhaps you might talk to him to see if he has any advice.”

Jordie nodded numbly, barely hearing the rest of Mrs. Patel's words. As she left the office, the Seattle rain matched her mood, a steady drizzle that seemed to seep into her bones.

Back in her tiny studio apartment, Jordie sank onto her secondhand futon, her mind whirling. She couldn't lose this opportunity. Without it, her dream of becoming a lawyer – of making something of herself, of making Mark proud – would be so much harder to achieve.

Her eyes fell on the small framed photo of Mark on her desk. His smile, frozen in time, seemed to challenge her. "You've got this," she could almost hear him say.

Jordie's hand reached for her throat, unconsciously touching the star pendant around her neck. The familiar shape calmed her. She thought back to Professor Hargrove's class, to the discussions that had ignited her passion for the law. She couldn't let this slip away.

The next day, Jordie arrived at the law school building an hour before Hargrove's office hours were set to begin. She paced the hallway, rehearsing what she wanted to say.

"Ms. Goodwin?" Hargrove's voice made her jump. He stood in the doorway of his office, one eyebrow raised. "You're here early."

Jordie swallowed hard. "Professor Hargrove, I was hoping to speak with you about my academic progress."

He gestured for her to enter his office. The room was lined with bookshelves, every surface covered in stacks of papers and legal tomes. Hargrove settled behind his desk, his bow tie seemed louder than usual against his crisp white shirt.

"I'm listening," he said, his piercing gaze fixed on Jordie.

Taking a deep breath, Jordie explained her situation – her struggles in Legal Methods and Criminal Procedure, the risk to her financial aid, and her fears about the fellowship.

Hargrove leaned back in his chair, studying her. "I see. And why do you think you're having difficulty in these classes?"

Jordie hesitated, then decided honesty was the best approach. "Legal Methods... it just seems so dry. All that research and brief writing – I know it's important, but it's hard to stay engaged. And Criminal Procedure... I guess I've never seen myself as a criminal lawyer. It's hard to connect with the material."

Hargrove nodded slowly. "Ms. Goodwin, do you know why I became interested in Constitutional Law?"

Surprised by the question, Jordie shook her head.

"Because it underlies everything," Hargrove said, his eyes gleaming with passion. "Every area of law, every case, every argument – it all comes back to the Constitution. But to truly understand and apply Constitutional Law, you need the skills you're learning in Legal Methods. And Criminal Procedure? It's where some of the most fundamental constitutional issues play out in real life."

Jordie felt a flush of embarrassment. “So it’s all part of one giant skillset. I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

"Of course you hadn't," Hargrove said, but his tone was gentler than she'd ever heard it. "You're still learning to see the big picture. But that's why you're here – to learn, to grow, to challenge yourself."

He leaned forward, his gaze intense. "In Legal Methods, don't just go through the motions. For every brief you write, every case you research, ask yourself: What's the constitutional issue here? How does this connect to the broader legal landscape? How can I best present the facts and the law to convince someone else?”

Jordie nodded, feeling a spark of interest she hadn't before.

"As for Criminal Procedure," Hargrove continued, "think about the people involved. Every defendant, every victim – is a real person. They have constitutional rights at stake. It's not about whether you want to be a criminal lawyer. It's about understanding how our legal system protects individual liberties for everyone."

As Hargrove spoke, Jordie felt something shift inside her. The classes she'd been dreading suddenly seemed full of potential, connections she hadn't seen before becoming clear.

"Thank you, Professor," Jordie said, real gratitude in her voice. “This has been super helpful."

Hargrove's expression softened slightly. "You have so much potential, Ms. Goodwin. I wouldn't have recommended you for the fellowship if I didn't believe that. But potential isn't enough – you need to apply yourself across the board."

Jordie nodded, determination setting in. "I will, Professor. I promise."

As she stood to leave, Hargrove spoke again. "Ms. Goodwin, may I ask... why law school? What drives you?"

For a moment, Jordie thought back to Sedro-Woolley, to the porch steps where she'd made her promise to Mark. Drawing strength from the memory.

"My brother," she said softly. "He believed in me, in my potential to do something meaningful with my life. I can't let him down."

Something flickered in Hargrove's eyes – understanding, perhaps even approval. "Then honor his belief in you by giving your all to every aspect of your studies. The law, and your future, demands nothing less."

Jordie left Hargrove's office with a renewed sense of purpose. Outside, the rain had stopped, and a patch of blue sky peeked through the clouds. "I'm trying, Mark," she whispered. “I’m really trying."

That evening, as Jordie spread her textbooks across her small desk, she felt a familiar mix of determination and hope. The path ahead would be challenging, but she was ready to face it head-on. She opened her Criminal Procedure textbook, seeing it with new eyes.

As she began to read, Jordie felt a spark of the same excitement she'd experienced in Hargrove's class.

Chapter 9

The law library hummed with the quiet desperation associated with the last week of classes. Jordie hunched over a thick Criminal Procedure textbook. Between attending class and studying, Jordie had been crunching hard from six a.m. until well after eleven p.m. for nearly a week. Eyes burning from hours of study, she promised herself that she’d make an appointment with the optometrist for the break between quarters. The scents of vending machine coffee and anxiety hung in the air.

"Earth to Jordie," Mei whispered, nudging her. "You've been staring at that page for ten minutes."

Jordie blinked, coming back to herself. "Sorry, I’m so tired. I was just..."

"Thinking about the fellowship?" Mei asked, her voice sympathetic.

Jordie nodded, but it wasn't just the fellowship on her mind. Her thoughts had drifted to Christmas in Sedro-Woolley, to the worn comfort of her family's small house, so different from the imposing gravity of law school.

"You know," Jordie said softly, "when I was home for Christmas, I helped my little brother Skip with his homework. He's struggling with algebra, and I found myself explaining variables using contract law principles."

Mei was unable to restrain a laugh. "Only you would make algebra more complicated by adding law to it."

But Jordie shook her head. "That's just it. It made sense to him. And I realized... all of this," she gestured to the books surrounding them, "it's not really separate from where I came from. It's an extension of it."

She thought about her dad, still working long hours at the mill, his hands calloused but his proud spirit unbroken. About Kelly, who had just started community college at Skagit Valley, determination shining in her eyes. And Donny, who was now working at Mark's old job at the grocery store, shouldering new responsibilities with quiet strength.

"My family," Jordie continued, her voice thick with emotion, "they might not understand everything I'm learning here, but they understand hard work, fairness, justice. Which is what the law is really about, isn't it?"

Mei squeezed her hand. "That's what you’re really good at – making connections between things, seeing patterns and figuring out how those patterns make sense. You see the law as more than just words in a Supreme Court opinion or a two hundred page contract."

Before Jordie could respond, her phone buzzed. A message from the dean's office. Her heart raced as she opened it.

“Something’s come up," she whispered. "They want me to come to Professor Hargrove's office. Can I leave my stuff here with you?”

The walk to Hargrove's office felt like the longest of Jordie's life. Each step echoed with possibility and fear. As she entered, Jordie was struck by how small Hargrove looked behind his large desk, his usual intimidating presence softened by the late afternoon light.

"Ms. Goodwin," Hargrove nodded toward the guest chair on the opposite side of his desk. "Please, sit down."

Jordie perched on the edge of the chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The nervous elementary school girl from Sedro-Woolley seemed to be sitting right behind her on the chair.

"I'll cut to the chase," Hargrove said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "Jordie, your application for the Sherman Fairchild Fellowship was... impressive. Your essay on the intersection of First Amendment free speech limitations and social justice was particularly noteworthy for a first year student.”

Jordie held her breath, hardly daring to hope.

"However," Hargrove continued, and Jordie felt her heart sink, "the committee had some concerns about your initial struggles in Legal Methods and Criminal Procedure."

The silence that followed felt endless. Jordie could hear her own heartbeat, loud in her ears.

"But," Hargrove's voice cut through the silence, "your remarkable improvement in those classes, coupled with your unique perspective on the law, has led the committee to award you a partial fellowship."

The words took a moment to register. "Partial... fellowship?" Jordie repeated, hardly believing her ears.

Hargrove nodded, a rare smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "It's not the full ride, but it's a significant amount. The committee had some back and forth discussion at the end and we settled on a fifty percent fellowship, so it will cover half your tuition. And more importantly, it's a vote of confidence in your potential, Ms. Goodwin. We’ll review it next year to see if your work merits a bump to the full amount of the fellowship toward your third year.”

Tears pricked at Jordie's eyes. She thought of Mark, of the promise she'd made on those porch steps years ago. "Thank you, Professor Hargrove,” she managed to say. "I won't let you down."

“I don’t expect that you will," Hargrove said, his tone warm. "I expect great things from you, Ms. Goodwin. This is just the beginning."

Jordie floated back to the library. After Jordie told Mei about the news, Mei enveloped Jordie in a tight hug. "You did it!" she exclaimed. "We have to celebrate!"

But Jordie's mind was already racing ahead. This reaffirmed her desire to be a practicing attorney, using her knowledge of the law to make a real difference. Now, it felt like it wasn't just a dream – it was a possible future, nearly in her hands – one she could almost touch.

That night, in her tiny apartment, Jordie called home. As she shared her news, hearing the pride in her parents' voices. Although she wasn’t sure her siblings understood the importance, she chuckled at their excited chatter. Hanging up, she felt a sense of rightness settle over her.

Later, as she got ready for bed, Jordie caught sight of herself in the mirror. The girl from Sedro-Woolley was still there, in the determined set of her jaw, the calluses on her hands from years of chores. But there was something new too – a confidence, a purpose.

She touched the star pendant. "I'm on my way, big brother," she whispered. “You’re going to be amazed.”

As she drifted off to sleep, Jordie's mind was swirling with ideas about her future. The partial fellowship was a stepping stone, a challenge to push herself even further. Tomorrow, she'd dive back into her studies with renewed vigor. There were still finals to conquer, more to learn, greater heights to reach.