May 05, 2004

8:43 a.m.

The Hell Downstairs

Yesterday afternoon I heard a terrible conflagration downstairs between Gary and his 7-year-old. I hadn't heard anything like that for several months, but this was bad. I don't think there was any hitting, but there was plenty of yelling through clenched teeth and threatening words and name calling and "shut the fuck up." The kid was crying and gasping and God knows why he wouldn't just walk away when his dad was clearly out of control. Then there would be fifteen seconds of sudden silence and then the kid would gasp or cough or start crying again. I didn't hear Galina; maybe she was out working at Pizza Hut.

I'm definitely getting out of here.