Chapter 13 - MY CASE
I resolved my own assault charge too.
The video showed me hurling a heavy wrapped box into my brother.
He fell into the tree.
No serious injury.
Bruised ribs.
Cut hand from a broken ornament.
I pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault.
Paid medical restitution.
Reimbursed the host for damaged ornaments and tree stand.
Completed anger-management classes.
Some relatives were furious.
“He hit Romy first.”
Yes.
“Why are you punished?”
Because I threw a large object after Romy was already in my protection.
Simple.
My daughter asked:
“Daddy got timeout?”
“In adult form.”
“Because Uncle?”
“Because I threw the present.”
“He mean.”
“Yes.”
“You still trouble?”
“Yes.”
She considered.
“That’s fair.”
Children.
My class taught one concept I hated because it applied too cleanly.
Protection ends when safety is achieved.
After that, retaliation becomes its own choice.
At Christmas, I had crossed that line.
The consequence was minor legally.
Important personally.
I did not want Romy growing up believing men prove love through escalation.
So I told her the truth.
“I should have taken you and left.”
She hugged Pickles.
“But present funny.”
I laughed before I could stop.
“The tree part?”
She nodded.
“Still wrong.”
May you like
“Still funny.”
Both, apparently.
