Chapter 14 - MY SLAP BECOMES A CASE NUMBER
My lawyer explained the video before the prosecutor did.
Aurelia safe in Ethan’s arms.
Sophronia upright.
No immediate physical threat.
I step forward.
One slap.
Sophronia falls into the tree.
Could I argue defense of my daughter?
The earlier intervention, maybe.
The slap itself, weak.
I chose diversion.
Misdemeanor assault.
No prior record.
No serious injury.
Conditions:
Anger-management program.
Restitution for Sophronia’s urgent-care copay.
Replacement cost for one broken earring? The earring clasp snapped in the fall. Documented $120 repair.
I paid.
No conviction if completed successfully.
Then the instructor asked:
“What did you want the slap to communicate?”
“That she could not hurt my daughter.”
“Could she already hear words?”
“Yes.”
“Was Aurelia already safe?”
“Yes.”
“Then what did the slap actually communicate?”
I knew.
“That I could hurt Sophronia too.”
“Did Aurelia need that?”
“No.”
“Did Clara?”
“No.”
Simple.
No grand philosophy.
Then I told Aurelia:
“I got consequences for hitting Aunt Sophronia.”
She looked confused.
“She hit me.”
“Yes.”
“And you hit her.”
“Yes.”
“Same?”
“No. Different facts. Both wrong.”
“Did you get jail?”
“No.”
“Does Aunt?”
“I don’t know what her case will be.”
She thought.
“Can I slap if somebody breaks horse?”
“No.”
“Even tiny?”
“No.”
She sighed.
“Rules bad.”
“Sometimes.”
Then:
“Can Grandpa horse kick?”
“It’s wood.”
May you like
She stared at me like I was avoiding the question.
Fair.
