Chapter 7 - Robert’s slap did not become right because Daniel had been wrong
Robert dealt with his own conduct before asking Daniel to deal with his.
At the terminal, Daniel had charged toward him demanding Ava.
Daniel was agitated.
Robert had the four-year-old child in his arms.
Blocking Daniel’s reach made sense.
Slapping his adult son did not.
Robert admitted that plainly in his statement.
“I could have stepped back. Security was already approaching. Ava was secure.”
The officer asked, “Why did you hit him?”
“I was angry.”
That was the answer.
Not protection.
Anger.
Daniel’s behavior had been frightening and reckless.
Robert’s response still belonged to Robert.
That mattered later when Ava asked why both grown-ups had hit people.
She had seen Victoria strike Robert.
Then Robert strike Daniel.
Three generations of adults had turned fear into physical action inside less than three minutes.
Robert hated that.
A child therapist helped him explain simply.
“Victoria hit Grandpa. Grandpa hit Daddy. Grown-ups are responsible for keeping their hands safe too.”
Ava asked, “Was Daddy bad?”
Robert answered carefully.
“Daddy was scared and confused and made bad choices.”
“Is he in trouble?”
“Adults are handling it.”
Ava looked toward the suitcase, which police had photographed and removed from the lounge.
“Am I going back in there?”
Robert’s eyes filled.
“No.”
“Ever?”
“No.”
That was a promise he could safely make.
The suitcase had not been used as transportation cargo.
But Ava did not care about that distinction.
She remembered darkness.
A zipper.
Victoria telling her to be quiet.
That was enough.
Daniel later told Robert he appreciated the honesty about the slap.
Robert answered:
“Don’t.”
Daniel looked confused.
“I’m not admitting it for you.”
That was important.
Accountability was not a bargaining system where Robert’s mistake reduced Daniel’s.
Each adult had to own his own choice.
May you like
That rule became essential as the family untangled what Victoria had done.
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