Charges were filed and the case moved to court. The courtroom smelled like old wood and paper as I sat beside the prosecutor with my arm still in a sling while my father stared at the floor across the room. Brittany looked furious and Dustin avoided eye contact with everyone.
When the security video played the entire room fell silent. My father’s voice echoed from the speakers and the moment of the shove froze on the screen.
The judge removed his glasses slowly and said, “This behavior is extremely troubling.”
One of the police officers later told me quietly that he had seen many violent situations but attacks like this between parents and children were especially disturbing. A month later the judge delivered the verdict which included an assault conviction, a restraining order preventing my father from contacting me, and restitution to cover my medical expenses.
The real ending happened outside the courthouse where Danielle waited on the steps along with several coworkers from my firm and even a neighbor from my apartment building who had driven across the city to support me.
They hugged me carefully and Danielle whispered, “You are not alone.”