Chapter 13 - MY SLAP BECOMES THE SIMPLEST CASE
The easiest criminal file was mine.
Video showed it.
Octavia had been upright after Silas was freed.
She was not touching him.
I crossed the distance.
Slapped her.
No ambiguity.
I accepted misdemeanor diversion.
Anger-management.
Restitution for her documented medical evaluation.
No unlawful contact.
Dismissal after completion.
One of my cousins said:
“You paid Mother after she chained your kid?”
“I paid the medical cost the court required because I hit her.”
He shook his head.
I said:
“Different acts.”
That phrase became irritatingly useful.
My instructor was former prosecutor Ellen Shaw.
She asked:
“What were you trying to say with the slap?”
“That she never touches my sons again.”
“Could police and protective orders say that?”
“Yes.”
“So what did your hand say?”
“That I could hurt her.”
“And who watched?”
“The boys.”
There.
Silas later asked why I had to go to class.
I told him.
“Because I hit Grandma.”
“But Grandma did worse.”
“Maybe.”
“Then why you?”
“Because rules still apply to me.”
He thought.
Then:
“Even rich Dad?”
“Especially rich Dad.”
May you like
He liked that answer.
I needed to deserve it.
