Chapter 13 - MY SLAP AND MY THREAT
Eudora’s injuries were not trivial.
Bruised cheek.
Small cut inside lip.
Shoulder contusion from hitting the cake table.
No fracture.
No concussion.
My slap was clear on video.
So was my threat.
The prosecutor offered me misdemeanor diversion rather than escalating the case beyond what facts supported.
Conditions:
Anger-management.
Restitution for medical costs attributable to my strike.
No unlawful contact.
No interference with witness testimony.
No new offense.
I accepted.
My brother said:
“You saved the baby.”
“Yes.”
“You shouldn’t have to pay her.”
“I hit her after June was safe.”
He shook his head.
“She deserved worse.”
That sentence became the first topic in anger-management.
Dr. Mira Benton asked:
“What is the difference between deserving consequences and you delivering pain?”
I said:
“Authority.”
“Whose?”
“Court’s.”
“Only court?”
I thought.
“Sometimes security. Sometimes self-defense.”
“Was your slap either?”
“No.”
Then:
“What did you want?”
“I wanted her to feel what Tessa felt.”
“Powerless?”
“Yes.”
“And you dislike Eudora because she made your daughter powerless.”
I stared at her.
“Careful.”
She smiled faintly.
“You’re paying me to be careful. You’re here because careful has not been enough.”
May you like
I disliked her.
Useful woman.
