Chapter 10 - Cesare Had To Admit He Hit Back Too Hard
Ethan grabbed Cesare first.
Swung first.
Cesare slipped the blow and punched him.
That confrontation occurred fast.
The slap to Diane was different.
She grabbed Avice’s cardigan and tried to pull her toward the exit.
Cesare knocked her hand away.
At that point Avice was safe behind him.
Then he slapped Diane.
Hard.
Later, when Avice asked:
“Why did you hit Grandma Diane?”
Cesare did not say:
Because she deserved it.
He said:
“I was angry.”
“She grabbed me.”
“Yes.”
“You stopped her.”
“Yes.”
“Then why hit?”
Cesare paused.
“Because I lost my temper after I had already stopped her.”
Avice looked thoughtful.
“Was that bad?”
“Yes.”
“But she was mean.”
“Yes.”
Children always find the contradiction adults want to avoid.
Cesare later gave a truthful account of both incidents.
He did not erase context.
Ethan attacked him.
Diane grabbed a child.
But he also did not pretend every response was necessary.
Protection and retaliation were not the same thing.
He wanted Avice to grow up knowing that distinction.
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Especially in a family where powerful adults had spent too long believing intention excused impact.
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