Chapter 10 - My shelf
The shoe shelf I smashed became its own problem.
No one was injured by the collapse.
Sofia was in my arms several feet away.
Still reckless.
Veronica owned approximately $31,000 worth of shoes damaged in the incident.
Yes.
Thirty-one thousand.
I found the number embarrassing in every possible direction.
Police documented my property destruction.
The built-in shelving belonged to my house.
The shoes did not.
Veronica declined to press a criminal complaint initially.
Her civil attorney later included the property damage in the financial separation demand.
My lawyer asked:
“Do you contest it?”
“No.”
“Some shoes may not have been damaged by the stool directly.”
“I destroyed the shelving.”
“So?”
“Pay reasonable documented damage.”
Miriam looked at me.
“Growth?”
“Annoyance.”
We settled that piece for approximately $19,400 after valuation and salvage.
Why include this?
Because I had frightened Sofia too.
Not the same as Veronica’s punishment.
Still.
Later Dr. Foster asked Sofia:
“Was Daddy scary?”
Sofia nodded.
“When?”
“Boom shoes.”
There.
I apologized.
“I was angry because Veronica hurt you.”
“Boom.”
“Yes.”
“Bad?”
“Breaking things when I’m angry can be scary. I should not have done it next to you.”
“Veronica shoes broke.”
“Yes.”
Sofia thought.
“Lots shoes.”
“Too many.”
She laughed.
Then:
“You no boom?”
“I’ll try very hard not to.”
That was better than:
Daddy will never lose control again.
Parents should not promise impossible perfection.
They should name the standard.
My anger could protect.
It could also become another thing a child had to monitor.
May you like
I refused that inheritance.
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