Chapter 12 - CALLUM’S SLAP
Callum’s criminal issue resolved before Vivian’s trial ended.
He struck her after Milo was already in his arms.
She was not attacking at that exact second.
The prosecutor offered misdemeanor diversion.
He accepted.
Anger-management course.
Community service.
Restitution for Vivian’s minor injury associated with the fall.
No conviction after successful completion under the program’s terms.
Some relatives called it insulting.
“She poisoned his kid.”
No.
The law does not grant revenge licenses to fathers.
Callum understood.
At dinner after his second class, he said:
“I hated the instructor today.”
“Why?”
“She asked what Milo learned from watching me hit Mom.”
I stopped.
“What did you say?”
“That dangerous people can be hit.”
“And?”
“That’s not what I want him learning.”
Good.
Callum looked at Milo across the room.
Our son was making a fort out of couch cushions.
Then:
“I would still physically stop her if she went for him.”
“Of course.”
“But she was on the other side of the table.”
“Yes.”
“I wanted her to hurt.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
No excuse.
That was progress.
Then Milo wandered over.
“Dad calm class?”
Callum sighed.
“Yes.”
“Did you get sticker?”
I laughed so hard I nearly choked.
“No sticker.”
May you like
“Bad class.”
Possibly.
