Chapter 12 - MY SLAP CASE
Lenora’s injuries:
Bruised cheek.
Mild neck soreness.
Bruising at one hip after falling into chairs.
No fracture.
No concussion.
My strike was clear on video.
So was her reach toward Elsie.
The prosecutor reviewed self-defense or defense-of-child principles.
My knocking her hand away was easy to justify.
The slap afterward was not.
Elsie was behind me.
Lenora had been stopped.
I hit because I was furious.
Misdemeanor assault.
Diversion offered.
Anger-management.
Restitution for documented medical costs caused by my strike.
No unlawful contact.
No new offense.
Completion allowed dismissal.
I accepted.
My uncle said:
“You hit someone who attacked your child.”
“She pulled Elsie.”
“Exactly.”
“I had already stopped the second reach.”
He stared.
“You want a medal for technical accuracy?”
“No.”
Then:
“I want Elsie to grow up knowing adults do not become exempt from rules because they are defending something sacred.”
That sounded better than I felt.
My anger-management instructor, Dr. Scott Harlan, asked:
“What did you want Lenora to understand?”
“That she could not touch my daughter.”
“Did she already understand that after you blocked her hand?”
“Yes.”
“Then what was the slap for?”
I hated these people.
“Punishment.”
“Whose job?”
May you like
“Not mine.”
Correct.
