Chapter 5 - My Mother Knew There Would Be a “Lesson”
My mother initially denied planning anything.
Then police showed her the video.
Her story narrowed.
She knew Bethany intended to tease Rosie.
She knew the toy blaster was involved.
She knew Bethany wanted to demonstrate that I overreacted whenever Rosie became upset.
She claimed she did not know Rosie would be physically targeted.
Maybe.
Then detectives recovered family group messages.
Bethany:
NATHAN NEEDS TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE DOESN’T BABY HER EVERY SECOND.
Mom:
DON’T RUIN HER BIRTHDAY.
Bethany:
SHE’LL SURVIVE FIVE MINUTES OF BEING TREATED LIKE A NORMAL KID.
Dad:
GOOD.
My mother:
IF HE STARTS, DON’T ARGUE WITH HIM. JUST LET HIM SHOW EVERYONE WHO HE IS.
That message mattered.
“What did you mean?” I asked later.
She said:
“You get angry.”
“I do.”
“You always have.”
“Did you want me angry?”
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
Then Daniel found another exchange between Bethany and my mother.
Bethany:
MAKE SURE HIS LITTLE CAMERA THING IS STILL ON.
Mom:
DANIEL’S PHONE?
Bethany:
YES. IF NATHAN BLOWS UP, I WANT IT.
That was different.
They were not simply expecting my anger.
They wanted documentation of it.
Suddenly my mother sending me to the garage was no longer neutral.
Neither was Bethany remaining seated with that smug expression when I returned holding an injured child.
She did not look surprised.
She was waiting.
The plan had gone farther than she intended because Rosie’s injuries were more obvious than expected.
But Bethany still believed the most useful event would be my reaction.
And I had given her exactly what she wanted.
One punch.
My lawyer asked:
“Did Bethany provoke you into assaulting her?”
“Yes.”
“Does that legally justify assault?”
“No.”
“Good.”
I hated him for the question.
May you like
I needed it anyway.
If I wanted Rosie to learn that adults do not get to hurt people because they are angry, I could not create a special exemption for myself.
