Chapter 14 - My legal exposure
Marcella filed a complaint over the gala incident.
I had grabbed her arm.
Pulled her from the doorway.
Shoved a champagne cart.
The cart hit the dessert table.
She stumbled and fell.
Medical evaluation showed:
Bruised knee.
Minor wrist strain.
No fracture.
No head injury.
Her lawyer argued I intentionally created a physical hazard after Elowen was already out.
Fair.
Prosecutors reviewed.
The arm pull could plausibly be framed as separating Marcella from the child and doorway.
The cart shove was not necessary.
I was angry.
Property damage.
Risk.
I accepted a noncustodial diversion resolution for misdemeanor reckless conduct/property-related assaultive behavior rather than litigate.
Twenty-five hours community service.
Conflict-management course.
Restitution for damaged catering property through insurer subrogation.
No new offense.
Dismissal after completion.
My relatives were outraged.
“You’re Alaric DeLuca.”
Exactly the problem.
I completed everything.
At the first class, the facilitator asked:
“What was your goal when you shoved the cart?”
“Humiliate her.”
I hated the answer.
“Why?”
“She humiliated my daughter.”
“So symmetry.”
That word again.
“Yes.”
“Did Elowen need that?”
No.
She had started crying harder.
Protection ended when the danger ended.
Retaliation belonged to me.
I told Elowen later in simple language:
“Daddy should not have smashed things because he was angry.”
She asked:
“Marcella bad.”
“Marcella did bad things.”
“Then smash okay?”
“No.”
May you like
Children find hypocrisy quickly.
Good.
