Chapter 6 - Ainsley’s Kick
The prosecutor offered diversion.
Misdemeanor battery.
No prior record.
Ramona did not require medical treatment beyond bruising.
I admitted what happened.
Terms:
Twelve anger-management sessions.
Twenty-four hours community service.
No unlawful contact.
Dismissal after completion.
I accepted.
Benedict said:
“You protected Nell.”
“I attacked Ramona after the cut.”
“She still had scissors.”
“She was not advancing toward Nell when I kicked her.”
“Could have.”
I looked at him.
“No.”
He went quiet.
I continued.
“If I tell Nell people do not get to touch her body because they’re angry, I don’t get an exception because I was angrier.”
He hated that.
Then understood.
Dr. Warner asked me to discuss it with Nell.
I did.
“Mom kicked Aunt Ramona.”
“Yes.”
“Because she cut me.”
“I was furious.”
“Was kick bad?”
“Yes.”
“Would you do again?”
“No.”
She stared.
“What if she cuts again?”
“I would move you away, take the scissors if safe, call police.”
“Boring.”
I laughed despite myself.
“Safety is often boring.”
Then:
“Did police get you?”
“I have a class.”
“Like Grandma Estelle?” Wrong story. No. Keep current.
“Like school?”
“Kind of.”
“Do you get homework?”
“Unfortunately.”
She smiled.
Then:
“Ramona trouble?”
“Yes, separate.”
Good.
No moral shortcut.
My anger class later asked:
“What did the kick communicate to Nell?”
“That Mom will hurt people who hurt her.”
“And is that what you want?”
“No.”
“What do you want?”
“That I will stop people.”
“Those are different.”
May you like
Yes.
Painfully.
