And it turned out that protection, unlike revenge, points you toward exactly the right actions, every time.

It told me to stay calm at the hospital rather than scream.

It told me to gather documentation rather than make accusations.

It told me to hand the officers a court order rather than take George’s bait outside the kindergarten.

It told me to build a case so airtight that my daughter would never have to endure a second round of this, rather than to indulge myself in a confrontation that would feel good for an afternoon and accomplish nothing lasting.

Revenge would have made me his opponent, locked in combat with him, letting him remain the center of my life.