Dad was charged over the slap.
No one in my family liked that sentence.
Good.
He hit Colin after the immediate medical need was already being handled.
Colin had spoken.
Dad rose.
Slapped.
No self-defense.
No defense of me at that second.
Misdemeanor assault.
The prosecutor offered diversion.
Anger-management.
Restitution for Colin’s documented medical evaluation and bruising.
No unlawful contact.
No interference with my family proceedings.
Completion could result in dismissal.
Dad accepted.
His lawyer wanted him to emphasize provocation.
He did not.
“Did you strike Mr. Reed?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I was furious.”
That was enough.
His first anger-management counselor asked:
“What did the slap give your daughter?”
Dad said:
“Nothing.”
“What did it give you?”
“Relief.”
“For how long?”
Dad thought.
“Three seconds.”
“And then?”
“My grandson cried.”
Dad did not enjoy that session.
He attended the next one anyway.
Later he told me:
“I thought being angry for you meant acting.”
I answered:
“Sometimes it means driving me to the hospital.”
He looked offended.
“I did that too.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Progress did not make him less annoying.
