At My Purple Heart Ceremony, My Stepmother Swung a Folding Chair Into My Arm—Then My Father Looked Down Instead of Protecting Me

I should have predicted violence.

I should have honored my own boundary before violence made the reason obvious.

Gertrude’s attorney contacted the prosecutor.

Then mine, because the Army made victim legal services available and I hired separate civilian counsel for anything outside their scope.

I did not speak with her.

Prosecutors reviewed medical records.

Witness statements.

Video.