Susan cried a horrible scream. “Mommy!â€? Timmy no longer whispered as he jumped from his bed. His tiny fists pumping at his father’s legs, “leave my mommy alone.â€?

Harold kicked the boy backwards into a desk, and landed another fist on Susan’s face. “You stupid bitch. I’m tired of your god damn mouth.â€? His large hands curled tightly around her throat. With each gargled scream his fingers squeezed tighter. “I told you to shut up bitch.â€?

“Get off of her you asshole.â€? Joe jumped down from his bunk and grabbed an aluminum bat that was tossed on the floor from an earlier game of baseball in the park. For a split second he thought about how much fun the day had been until this moment, when his father came home. Drunk. Again. “Get the fuck off of her,â€? he repeated.

Harold turned to see his son advancing on him, baseball bat loosely perched above his head. “Put that bat down boy.â€? Susan dropped to the floor, coughing violently, once her throat was free. “I’m gonna kick your ass if you don’t put that down right now.â€?