Chapter 2 - Aubrielle’s cheek
I did not spend the next hour confronting Marietta.
I took care of Aubrielle.
Her pediatrician’s office was closed, so we went to urgent care.
Documented:
Redness and swelling to left cheek.
Minor bruise forming along jaw.
Tender shoulder from falling into gift table.
No loss of consciousness.
No vomiting.
No dental injury.
No fracture suspected.
No emergency imaging indicated.
Aubrielle said her head had not struck the floor.
She had hit the side of the gift table with her shoulder and then landed on her hip.
The doctor advised:
Cold compress.
Acetaminophen if needed.
Return for worsening symptoms.
Nothing catastrophic.
It did not have to be.
A six-year-old had been struck by an adult at her own birthday party.
That was serious without adding anything.
Police met us there because several guests had called.
They spoke with adults separately.
They did not ask Aubrielle the same questions twenty times.
A child interviewer would handle a more formal statement later if prosecutors needed one.
Then my conduct.
An officer asked:
“Did you throw the cake at Marietta Bennett?”
“Yes.”
“Was she advancing toward your daughter at the time?”
“No.”
“Had you already moved Aubrielle behind you?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you throw it?”
“Anger.”
He wrote that down.
I did not call it self-defense.
It was not.
I had protected Aubrielle by placing myself between them.
The cake was retaliation.
Ridiculous retaliation.
But retaliation.
Marietta later claimed a wrist sprain from breaking her fall.
X-rays showed no fracture.
That would be handled separately.
Then Aubrielle asked me:
“Is Grandma mad at me?”
I almost laughed.
“No.”
May you like
“Marietta said Grandma knows I don’t belong.”
That was the first sign the birthday insult had a history.
