Chapter 6 - My father’s violence
Eamon was cited for assaulting Dorian.
He hated the word.
I did not let him hide from it.
He had overturned a chair while Dorian was sitting in it.
Dorian suffered:
Bruised elbow.
Wet shirt.
No fracture.
No head injury.
No hospitalization.
The prosecutor offered Eamon a misdemeanor diversion program because:
No prior record.
Minor injury.
Immediate family conflict.
He accepted.
Anger-management class.
Community service.
No further violence.
Successful completion would allow dismissal.
My father told me:
“I’d do it again.”
I said:
“Then the class hasn’t started working.”
He glared.
Then laughed despite himself.
Later he became serious.
“I saw him standing there while you were on the ground.”
“I know.”
“I wanted him to feel helpless.”
“And now his lawyer gets to say my family is violent too.”
That landed.
Eamon nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
Not:
I’m sorry but.
Just sorry.
He had protected me by taking me to the hospital.
May you like
The chair flip had protected nobody.
That difference mattered.
