Chapter 12 - TWO SLAPS
Violetta’s criminal case centered on Primrose.
Mine centered on Violetta.
No one merged them.
Primrose’s cheek bruised for four days.
No fracture.
No dental injury.
No lasting physical impairment.
Still a child struck by an adult over an accident.
The prosecutor charged Violetta with misdemeanor child battery under the applicable statute.
No felony torture.
No outrageous count.
Video from a guest captured the strike.
Several witnesses.
No factual dispute that her hand hit Primrose.
Intent?
She admitted intentional slap.
Then me.
Violetta had a bruised cheek and strained shoulder from falling over the chair.
I admitted my strike.
No self-defense.
The prosecutor offered diversion.
Anger-management.
Restitution for documented medical expense.
No unlawful direct contact.
Completion.
Dismissal.
I accepted.
My instructor was Eric Shaw.
Former emergency-room social worker.
First session:
“Why did you slap her?”
“She hit Primrose.”
“Was Primrose safe when you did it?”
“Yes.”
“Did you need to strike Violetta to get the envelope?”
“No.”
“Then what was it?”
“Punishment.”
Good.
No mythology.
Then:
“How did it feel?”
“Good.”
He waited.
“For maybe half a second.”
“And then?”
“Primrose gasped.”
There.
Consequences arrive at different speeds.
Then Eric said:
“You’re going to be tempted to make your restraint part of your identity. Don’t.”
“What does that mean?”
“Men who believe they are naturally dangerous sometimes think every nonviolent choice deserves applause.”
I almost laughed.
“That specific?”
“Very.”
Then:
“Your daughter needs ordinary safety, not a father performing how hard he is not to hit people.”
Fair.
May you like
So I stopped explaining every restraint to Primrose.
I simply practiced it.
