Chapter 6 - My kick
I was charged too.
Not immediately.
A week later.
Misdemeanor assault.
My kick to Drusilla had been recorded on her backyard camera.
The hose was already out of her hand.
She was not advancing toward Elowen in that exact second.
I had kicked in anger.
The prosecutor offered pretrial diversion because:
No criminal history.
Minor bruise.
Immediate stressful context.
Single act.
No continued violence.
I accepted.
Conditions:
Anger-management course.
Community service.
No unlawful contact with Drusilla.
Compliance with family-court/child-protection orders.
If completed:
Dismissal.
Some relatives called it ridiculous.
“She sprayed your daughter.”
Yes.
That did not give me unlimited permission.
I told Elowen:
“I shouldn’t have kicked Grandma.”
She frowned.
“But she hurt me.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because stopping someone and punishing someone are different.”
She stared.
Five-year-olds deserve simpler.
I tried again.
“I needed to stop the hose. I did not need to kick her after.”
“Oh.”
Then:
“Are you in trouble?”
“A little.”
“Is Grandma?”
“Adults are dealing with both.”
She nodded.
Then:
“Am I?”
“No.”
Immediate.
“You are not in trouble for finding the key.”
That had to be repeated many times.
May you like
Children assume hidden adult systems exist because they did something.
I would not let her carry that.
