Chapter 11 - Marcus Did Not Turn His Shove Into Heroism
Elsie had watched Marcus shove Vivian onto the bed.
The therapist addressed that too.
“Was Dad protecting you?”
Elsie nodded immediately.
Marcus interrupted.
“I was getting Vivian away from you.”
The therapist waited.
Marcus continued:
“But I also lost control.”
Elsie looked confused.
“She hurt my hair.”
“Yes.”
“So you can push her.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because once I got between you and her, my job was to keep you safe. I didn’t need to hurt her to do that.”
“She fell on the bed.”
“I know.”
“Was she hurt?”
“No.”
“Then why is it bad?”
Marcus took a breath.
“Because I want you to learn that being furious doesn’t give us permission to use more force than we need.”
Elsie thought about that.
Then said:
“Vivian needed to move.”
“Yes.”
“Not fall.”
“Exactly.”
That distinction mattered to Marcus.
He refused to turn one impulsive shove into a heroic act just because Vivian’s behavior was worse.
Children watch adults build moral rules.
May you like
He wanted Elsie to learn one that survived difficult situations.
---
