CHAPTER TWO

So you'd start remembering your dad.

He was a woman-beater.

He beat up your mum every day

From the day they got married right up to the day they got divorced.

He used to beat her to a pulp.

So she stopped working.

She wouldn't go out the house.

Cos she was embarassed.

She didn't want to walk down the street with her face all black and blue.

And you'd remember that your mum didn't want you to grow up to be like him.

She wanted you to be a famous lawyer

Or a famous doctor

Or a famous whatever.

And you'd remember that you were poor.

But you weren't poor poor.

Cos your mum still made sure that there was dinner on the table every night.

She'd give you her last penny

She didn't care about herself.

But you'd remember that you never really spoke to her.

Cos you'd come home from school and go straight up the stairs.

James?

Yes.

You're dinner's out.

You'd come down.

Grab the plate.

Thanks, Ma.

Back up the stairs.

So you never really spoke to her.