Chapter 20 - My case
My slap case resolved separately.
The prosecutor offered diversion.
I accepted.
No dramatic self-defense acquittal.
I had struck Linda after the immediate coffee-throwing act ended.
One open-hand slap.
Minor injury.
Extremely provocative context.
No record.
I completed:
Twelve hours of an anger-management program.
Twenty hours of community service.
No-contact conditions.
No new offense.
Case dismissed afterward under the program.
The first class irritated me.
The facilitator asked:
“What could you have done besides hit?”
I said:
“Pick up my daughter.”
“You did.”
“Call 911.”
“You did.”
“Run water over her burns.”
“You did.”
She waited.
I understood.
The slap had added nothing to Ellie’s safety.
It had added another legal problem.
That hurt my pride.
Good.
I told Ben later:
“I still don’t regret being angry.”
“You shouldn’t.”
“I regret giving Linda one more thing to point at.”
He nodded.
I said:
“And I don’t want Ellie learning that hitting becomes okay when you’re protecting someone.”
Ben looked down.
“Mom thought pain was teaching.”
“Yes.”
May you like
“I guess that’s the whole problem.”
Maybe.
