"Yeow!--" A strangled cry was all Joe could muster as he was hauled to his feet by his ear like an errant child half his age. Whether he winced from the pain or the volume of the shouting, he couldn't tell. The chair he had been sitting clattered backwards to the floor. Christ! He had forgotten how beefy and strong his father's hands were from shovelling at that coal; this was a painful reminder. Joe sullenly stood as globs of his father's spittle and rage dripped down his face. Was it something he had said?

Then his mother slapped him across the face..