Chapter 12 - DIANE'S BEST DEFENSE
Diane hired attorney Lauren Pierce.
Lauren did not defend the shovel strike as appropriate.
She described it as:
“a momentary loss of control during a stressful farm incident.”
Then she built context.
Diane had:
kept the farm operating,
protected Rachel during pregnancy,
managed bills,
handled livestock,
cooked meals,
helped with Emma.
True.
The farm was financially strained.
True.
Rachel had delayed several decisions.
True.
Diane had believed stronger management was necessary.
Possible.
Then the notebook.
Lauren argued the rules were intended to reduce stress in the house.
“Don't tell Mom small things” was framed as:
“Let Rachel rest.”
The problem was the accumulated pattern.
Rules.
Threats.
Unauthorized business control.
Statements about incapacity.
Emma’s fear.
The shovel.
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No single document proved a master plan.
Together they showed a system.
