Chapter 11 - THE SLAP
My slap received review.
As it should have.
Video showed Lucinda reaching toward Ruby again after explicitly saying pain would make her stronger.
I intercepted the hand.
Then struck.
Could I reasonably believe she intended to remove the brace again?
Yes.
Was some force justified to prevent contact?
Potentially.
Was a thunderous open-handed slap necessary after I controlled her hand?
The prosecutor was less convinced.
So was I.
Lucinda had facial bruising.
No fracture.
No concussion.
She did not press for severe prosecution.
The state still reviewed because the event was documented.
I accepted a diversion arrangement tied to a misdemeanor battery allegation.
Anger-management counseling.
Community service.
No further violence.
Dismissal after successful completion.
My uncle Carlo called it humiliating.
I told him:
“I am forty-eight. If I can’t survive being told not to hit people, we have bigger problems.”
May you like
He looked offended.
Probably because we did.
