Chapter 16 - THE POLICE REPORT
Silas finally filed a report about the rocking horse.
Three weeks late.
His lawyer likely advised it.
I gave a statement.
“Yes, I threw it.”
“Were you defending yourself?”
“No.”
“Was Silas threatening you?”
“Verbally mocking my daughter.”
“Physical threat?”
“No.”
I did not invent one.
The officer looked at me.
“You understand this could be assault?”
“Yes.”
Silas had bruising.
No lasting injury.
Video from Robert’s living room camera showed the entire incident.
The prosecutor later offered a misdemeanor diversion arrangement.
Anger-management class.
Community service.
Dismissal after completion.
I accepted.
My father called it proof I was unstable.
I laughed.
Then stopped.
Because instability was exactly the narrative families use when they want consequences for reaction but none for provocation.
Still, my reaction belonged to me.
I told Josephine:
“Daddy has to take a class because throwing the horse was dangerous.”
She nodded.
“Will Uncle Silas take a class for being mean?”
“Not the same system.”
May you like
“That’s dumb.”
Sometimes law disappoints seven-year-olds by being accurate.
