Chapter 13 - THE SLAP I GAVE MY SON
Police reviewed the birthday footage.
Marcus had already been pushed away from Elsie when I struck him.
No immediate threat.
My hand was punishment.
I said so.
I entered misdemeanor diversion.
Anger-management counseling.
Community service.
No further violent conduct.
The prosecutor did not care that everyone online called me a grandfather protecting his blood.
Correct.
At counseling, a therapist asked:
“What did you want your son to understand when you hit him?”
“That I was disgusted.”
“Did he already know?”
“Yes.”
“Then who was the slap for?”
I hated the question.
“Myself.”
There.
Old Mafia masculinity reduced to one ugly truth.
Sometimes violence is how powerful men make their emotions visible when words feel insufficient.
May you like
The emotion may be righteous.
The violence does not become necessary.
