Chapter 13 - MY SLAP BECOMES A CASE
I was charged with misdemeanor assault.
No surprise.
Constance grabbed my wrist.
I tore free.
At that point I had the key.
Milo was several feet away.
Security was entering.
Then I slapped her.
My lawyer argued provocation.
Context.
Attempted evidence seizure.
Recent child endangerment.
All relevant.
Still:
I chose to strike.
The prosecutor offered diversion.
Anger-management.
Restitution for Constance’s medical evaluation and bruising.
No unlawful contact.
Completion leading to dismissal if I complied.
I accepted.
Some family members were furious.
“You defended your son.”
I pulled Milo from the fire.
That defended him.
The slap punished Constance.
Different.
At my first group session, a man named Tyler said:
“So you're the guy who slapped his aunt over a teddy bear?”
I looked at him.
The facilitator said:
“Lorenzo.”
“I didn't move.”
“You didn't need to.”
Tyler smiled nervously.
I eventually laughed.
Good.
May you like
Power can turn a facial expression into force.
That was another lesson my father had learned too late.
