Chapter 5 - MARGARET REPORTS ME
Police came to my apartment Sunday morning.
Margaret had reported the slap.
Good.
I expected it.
Officer Jensen asked:
“Did you strike Margaret Whitmore?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“She chained my daughter outside.”
“Was Mrs. Whitmore threatening your daughter at the moment you struck her?”
“No.”
“Was the chain already removed?”
“Yes.”
He wrote.
I did not decorate the facts.
Then I showed photographs.
Chain.
Red marks.
Lock.
Lily’s statement would be handled separately through appropriate child-welfare procedures.
Officer Jensen looked uncomfortable.
“Did you call police yesterday?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to get Lily out.”
“Understandable. Next time call.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
I hoped.
Margaret faced investigation for possible child endangerment/unlawful restraint depending facts and local law.
No instant arrest.
No dramatic handcuffs.
She claimed the chain was a “temporary safety measure” because Lily repeatedly tried entering the home after being told to stay outside.
Jessica later contradicted that.
So did one parent who saw Lily crying near the patio.
My slap remained mine.
I received a citation.
No excuse.
When I told Lily, she looked horrified.
“Are you going to jail?”
“No.”
“Because you hit Grandma?”
“Maybe there will be a consequence.”
“She deserved it.”
I crouched.
“That’s not how we decide whether hitting is okay.”
“But she chained me.”
“I know.”
“Then why—”
“Because I wanted to hurt her.”
Lily stared.
“That part was wrong.”
She thought.
Then:
“Can Grandma still be wrong too?”
“Yes.”
May you like
Good question.
“Yes.”
