Yes, she fled. Had family in the city that had asked her leave for a long time. They opened their home to us and then helped us settle. I never saw him again. My longshoreman cousin and very small Italian uncle went upstate to collect our things. They were ready for a fight, but I guess he didn't fight men. Just women.

@deirdyweirdy and I have some things in common, except my mother was a very good woman. Gave up everything for us. Just my father was a brute.