Yes.
Her gaze flicked briefly to my parents’ attorney.
Counsel Lawrence Pike for the plaintiffs, your honor.
Judge Halprin nodded, then looked back at me.
Ms. Ward, you understand the RID authorizes possession today.
Yes, I said. The deputy said, noon.
Judge Halprin didn’t react to the emotion of that. She reacted to the procedure.
And tell me why I should issue an emergency stay.
I slid my packet forward, hands steady, because I was never properly served. The proof of service shows the plaintiff accepted substitute service at an address I do not live at. The address is not mine, and the plaintiff signed the service form.
Judge Halprin’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Plaintiff signed the service form.
Yes, I said.
Mr. Pike smiled faintly like he was about to explain away a technicality.
Judge Halprren looked at him.
Council, is that accurate?
Mr. Pike stood, voice smooth.
Your honor, service was completed according to statute. Substitute service is permitted. The occupant accepted.
Judge Halprin lifted a hand.
Don’t recite statute at me. Answer the question. Did your client sign as the adult female occupant who accepted substitute service?
Mr. Mr. Pike hesitated. I then chose his words carefully.
Yes, your honor. Mrs. Ward accepted service at the address listed in the complaint as Ms. Ward’s last known address.
Judge Halpern’s gaze snapped back to me.
Is Maple Terrace your last known address?
No, I said. I have not lived there as an adult. My driver’s license, tax bills, and utility bills reflect my current address.
I slid my ID and a recent utility bill forward.
Judge Halprince scanned them quickly. Then she looked at my mother.
Mrs. Ward, she said, “Why did you accept service on behalf of the defendant at an address that is not her residence?”
My mother’s lips trembled into a practiced sorrow.
“Your honor,” she began softly. “We’ve tried everything. She’s she’s been unstable. She stopped answering us. We didn’t know what else to do.”
There it was again. Unstable on a label meant to make the court stop asking uncomfortable questions.
Judge Halprin didn’t even blink.
That’s not an answer, she said. You either knew where she lived or you didn’t.
My father leaned forward slightly, voice low.
We were just trying to protect the property.
Judge Halprin’s eyes stayed sharp.
Protect it from whom?
My father didn’t answer. My mother lowered her gaze like a saint.
Mr. Pike stepped in fast.
Your honor, the plaintiffs own the home. They had to recover possession. The defendant has been refusing to leave.
Judge Halprin’s gaze turned to him.
“I’ve reviewed the exhibits,” she said, and her tone tightened. One of them is a deed.
My throat tightened.
Judge Halprin lifted a single page from the file and held it up.
Exhibit C is a recorded quit claim deed purporting to transfer the property from Tessa Ward to Mark and Diane Ward, she said. Recorded two weeks ago.
My mother inhaled softly like she was about to cry. My father’s face stayed flat.
Judge Halprin looked at me.
Ms. Ward, did you sign a quick claim deed transferring this property to your parents 2 weeks ago?
No, I said.
Mr. Pike’s voice came in smooth.
Your honor, we have a notorized deed on record.
Judge Halprin’s eyes snapped to him.
I didn’t ask you.
Then she looked at me again.
You’re saying that deed is fraudulent?
