Chapter 11 - THE POLICE REPORT
Emily had not initially wanted to file a police report.
She feared Margaret’s age would make the process seem cruel.
She feared Lily might be questioned.
She feared the family would call her vindictive.
The family was already calling her worse.
The detective reviewed the video and medical photographs.
Margaret was charged with misdemeanor assault.
She was released without being taken to jail.
A protective order prevented her from approaching Emily or contacting Lily directly.
Margaret called me from my father’s phone.
“You let your wife have me arrested.”
“No.”
“Emily reported an assault.”
“I am seventy-three years old.”
“You were seventy-three when you hit her.”
“You would put your mother through a trial?”
“I asked Emily to decide what she needed.”
“You should have stopped her.”
“That is what I did for six years.”
My mother began crying.
“I don’t recognize you.”
“I finally recognize myself.”
The criminal case did not become dramatic.
There was no handcuffed grandmother dragged through snow.
There were hearings.
Lawyers.
A diversion offer.
The court required anger-management classes, community service, and compliance with the protective order.
Margaret initially refused.
Then her attorney explained that the full video would be played at trial.
She accepted the agreement.
She still did not apologize.
Instead, she released a statement saying she regretted that a private family disagreement had become public.
Emily read it once.
“She regrets the publicity.”
“Yes.”
“Not the slap.”
“No.”
That night, Emily asked whether I hated my mother.
“I’m angry.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
I looked toward Lily’s bedroom.
“No.”
“I love her.”
“Does that bother you?”
“No.”
“It would bother me if love became another reason you expected us to return.”
“I won’t.”
She studied my face.
“You believe that now.”
“I need to keep believing it when she is sick, lonely, or frightened.”
May you like
Emily nodded.
“That is the real test.”
