Chapter 24 - RUBY SEES THE VIDEO
Ruby was eighteen when she asked to see the birthday footage.
I resisted.
Then remembered it belonged partly to her history.
We watched with a therapist available, though she did not need much intervention.
The brace comes off.
She falls.
My chair moves.
My slap.
Cake.
My line.
She paused.
“You look terrifying.”
“I was angry.”
“You slapped her hard.”
“Yes.”
“Was that okay?”
“No.”
She looked surprised.
“But she reached for me.”
“I needed to stop her hand.”
“You did.”
“Yes.”
“Then?”
“I wanted to punish her.”
Ruby nodded.
“Did it work?”
“No.”
That question stayed with me.
Did violence accomplish the thing anger promises?
Usually not.
The brace went back on because I put it back.
May you like
Lucinda stopped because systems removed her access.
The slap merely gave everyone another injury to discuss.
