Chapter 16 - My Slap
Bernice did not press criminal charges immediately.
Hospital security documented.
She had facial redness.
I admitted it.
Three months later, after mediation failed, her attorney mentioned possible complaint.
I told my lawyer:
“If she wants to, fine.”
Was my slap legally justified?
Probably not after I had already physically separated her from Elodie? Timing was almost immediate, but Elodie was on floor and Bernice no longer holding her when my hand landed.
Protective intervention:
Getting between them.
Moving Bernice away.
Retaliatory strike:
My slap.
Separate.
Eventually Bernice filed.
Police reviewed.
No arrest at courthouse.
No spectacle.
Misdemeanor assault-and-battery complaint proceeded.
Video? No room camera. Witnesses.
My admission.
I entered diversion after agreement.
Anger-management course.
Community service.
No contact with Bernice except family mediation for several months.
Successful completion.
Dismissal.
I did not enjoy that process.
Useful.
The counselor asked:
“What did you want the slap to accomplish?”
“Stop her.”
“Had you already stopped her?”
“Yes.”
“Then?”
“Punish.”
There.
Same word my mother’s logic had used with Elodie.
Punish.
Different action.
Different victim.
Same temptation:
Pain communicates seriousness.
May you like
I did not want that in my family anymore.
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