Chapter 22 - ROSE ASKS ABOUT THE SLAP
She was eleven.
A classmate found an old article.
“Did Dad hit you when I was inside you?”
No preparation could make that easy.
“Yes.”
“Did I get hurt?”
“No evidence you were physically injured.”
“Did Grandpa punch him?”
“Yes.”
“Was that good?”
Interesting.
“I was glad he stopped Dad. Hitting people still has consequences and rules.”
“Did Grandpa get arrested?”
“No. Authorities decided his one punch was legally justified under the circumstances.”
“So okay?”
“Legally justified and emotionally wise are not always the same question.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Mom.”
Fair.
“Yes, he was protecting me.”
“Did Dad love me then?”
“Yes.”
“How can somebody love baby and hit baby’s mom?”
“Love doesn’t automatically make behavior safe.”
She sat with that.
Then:
“Do you hate him?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I stopped needing hate to protect myself.”
May you like
She nodded.
At eleven, that was enough.
