Chapter 11 - BIANCA’S PLEA
Bianca pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery count related to forcibly cutting Livia’s hair.
No jail.
Probation.
Counseling.
Community service.
No direct contact with Livia without later parental consent and therapeutic recommendation.
She paid the medical and therapeutic costs required under the agreement, though money was never the main issue.
The court did not order her to apologize publicly.
Good.
No humiliation as justice.
Then my diversion.
I completed it.
No heroic exemption.
The counselor made me practice leaving rooms.
Ridiculous.
Useful.
“If your first impulse is physical retaliation, what do you do?”
“Move the child.”
“Then?”
“Call security.”
“Then?”
“Leave.”
“Then?”
“Lawyers.”
“Painful, isn’t it?”
“Extremely.”
Michael enjoyed the curriculum far too much.
Then my family began rewriting the story.
Alessandro canceled a wedding because nobody touches his blood.
Wrong.
I corrected them.
“I canceled because Bianca was unsafe for Livia and because I no longer trusted her as a partner.”
Not blood.
Not ownership.
Safety and trust.
May you like
Old Mafia language makes children sound like territory.
I was done with it.
