Chapter 13 - LINDA’S SENTENCE
Linda pleaded guilty.
Obstruction.
Interference with trust notices.
Evidence cleanup.
A failure-to-protect-related child-welfare offense.
She was not convicted of assault because she did not assault Lily.
She testified truthfully against Robert and Rebecca.
That reduced her sentence.
The judge imposed a shorter custodial term partly suspended, probation, community service, restitution, and permanent fiduciary disqualification.
No contact with Lily unless later approved therapeutically.
Linda cried.
I did not comfort her.
I also did not ask for prison beyond what evidence supported.
She had made cowardly choices.
Specific ones.
The law punished those choices.
My own probation continued.
Every Tuesday night I sat in a room with men who had different reasons for losing control.
Some minimized.
Some learned.
I learned that protective rage can become another excuse if you worship it.
I stopped describing myself as the man who would do anything for Lily.
Some things I should never do for her.
Hit people unnecessarily.
Threaten.
Destroy evidence.
Use fear.
Better promise:
I will protect her without becoming another thing she has to fear.
May you like
That was harder.
More useful.
