Chapter 11 - The Slap Case
Police review resulted in a misdemeanor summons.
I had struck Genevieve.
Store footage clear.
No self-defense.
No defense of Winnie at moment of strike.
She was verbally abusive.
Winnie already behind me.
I accepted responsibility.
My attorney negotiated pretrial diversion.
Anger-management assessment.
Community service.
No contact with Genevieve outside counsel/business channels for six months.
Case eligible for dismissal upon completion.
I agreed.
Genevieve wanted prosecution more aggressively.
Her right to advocate.
The district attorney made decision, not me.
Some friends said:
“She deserved it.”
I stopped enjoying that sentence.
Deserving consequences is not same as deserving whatever angry person chooses.
Winnie saw me hit her aunt.
That mattered.
At home she reenacted the scene with dolls.
One doll threw shoes.
One doll hit.
Dr. Patel asked:
“Who wins?”
Winnie said:
“Daddy.”
That scared me.
I did not want:
stronger violence wins.
So we changed language.
“Daddy stopped Aunt Genevieve by standing between.”
“But hit.”
“Yes. That part was wrong.”
“Did police say?”
“Yes.”
“Can police tell dads?”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
Apparently satisfying.
Then:
“Can police tell aunt?”
“Yes.”
Good.
May you like
Rule applies.
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