Chapter 11 - I Did Not Pretend My Punch Solved Anything
I punched Grant.
I slapped Marianne.
Those actions looked decisive in the backyard.
They did not solve the real problem.
Once Ava was behind me and safe, fists were irrelevant.
What mattered afterward was whether the adults around her would change.
I told Grant plainly:
“I hit you because I was furious and trying to reach Ava. But don’t confuse that punch with parenting. The important thing happened when the door opened.”
He understood.
Eventually.
I also gave a complete account when professionals became involved.
No pretending I was some righteous avenger.
Grant had blocked me from reaching a locked child.
I reacted physically.
Marianne confronted me.
I reacted again.
I owned both.
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Because if this family was going to stop teaching children that anger justifies anything, the rule had to apply to me too.
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