I know what I'm talking about, Arlene! My father got down on his knees and begged my...

Eugene: I know what I'm talking about, Arlene! My father got down on his knees and begged my mother. And my mother,s he always took him back. I never understood it. she'd cover up the bruises and the cuts and she'd take him back. Because he begged and he cried. And now you ask me, you ask me what happened after he came back. Arley: I... Eugene: No! Go on! You said you wanted to know what happened to me, now ask me! Arley: I don't like this... Eugene: Did he hurt you, Eugene? Ask me! Arley: Did he hurt you? Eugene: [shakes his head] Not for long. By 13 I was gone. i ran away. But I missed her so... I had to go back and see her. So one night I did. Now, ask me what happened. What happened that night you came back, Eugene? Arley: What happened? Eugene: He was there. Drunk. As usual. Only this time I wasn't the same. I was 16 years old and I was no longer afraid of him. And when I looked him in the eyes and told him if he ever touched her again I would kill him, he knew. He knew that he would never exist for me again. And I'm standing in front of the house. I'm yelling, screaming for her to come out. I'm telling her she doesn't have to take it anymore. She really doesn't. She can come with me now. I don't even see it. He hits me in the side of the head with a two-by-four and I'm bleeding from my ear. And then he's dragging me. He's dragging me behind the house into the garage. And then he's gone. A minute... five minutes... I don't know. And then he's back. And he's wetting me down. He's wetting me down and I don't understand. I don't understand why water... should smell so bad. I don't understand. And then I see it. I see... this... this gas can. This red gas can from his truck. [Crying] Eugene: And he looks at me one last time... and he lights a match. And the last thing I remember, I'll never forget it, were his eyes. His eyes because they were filled with this immense... satisfaction. Arley: [Crying] I'm so sorry... Eugene: Don't! Don't! Don't tell me how sorry you are for me! Tell me how you're going to stop that happening to Trevor! Arley: Ricky would never do that! Eugene: Oh, Jesus, Arlene! He doesn't have to. All he has to do is not love him. [Turns around and walks into his house with his grocery bags]

I know what I'm talking about, Arlene. My father got on his knees and begged my mother... ...and my mother, she always took him back. I never understood it. She'd cover the bruises and the cuts and she'd take him back... ... because he begged and he cried. Ask me what happened after he came back. You wanted to know what happened to me! Now ask me! -I don't Like this. -" Did he hurt you? " Ask! Did he hurt you? Not for Long. By 1 3 I was gone. I ran away. But I missed her, so I had to go back and see her. So one night I did. Ask what happened. "What happened that night you came back, Eugene? " What happened? He was there, drunk as usual. Only this time, I wasn't the same. I was 1 6 years old and I was no Longer afraid of him. And when I Looked him in the eye... ...and told him if he ever touched her again, I would kill him, he knew. He knew that he would never exist for me again. And I'm standing in front of the house. I'm screaming for her to come out. I'm telling her she doesn't have to take it anymore. She doesn't. She can come with me now. I don't see it coming. He hits my head with a two-by-four and I' m bleeding from my ear. He's dragging me behind the house into the garage. Then he's gone. A minute, five minutes, I don't know. Then he's back and wetting me down. And I don't understand. I don't understand why water should smell so bad. I don't understand. And then I see it. I see... ...this... ...this gas can. This red gas can from his truck. And he Looks at me one Last time... ...and he Lights a match. And the Last thing I remember... ...and I'll never forget it... ...were his eyes. His eyes, because they were filled with this... ...immense... ...satisfaction. I' m so sorry. Don't tell me how sorry you are for me! Tell me how you'll stop it happening to Trevor. Ricky would never do that. Oh, Jesus, Arlene. He doesn't have to. All he has to do is not Love him. What's going on? What's going on? I'll tell you what's going on. -What are you doing? -What's it Look Like? You can't do this. What are you putting in my room? We had an agreement. My son won't talk to me. He won't Look at me! You turn him against me? I told you I wasn't gonna make him talk to you. You could get a job. -What am I supposed to use for a car? -Take the bus. That'll be the day. -You can't stay in this room. -This is our room. This is our house, our bed. -You've been drinking. -Kiss me. Stop it! Stop it! I want you out of this house. -What's your problem? -I want you out. Turn that down! I'll come and pound your ass! -Don't talk to him Like that! -Don't tell me how to talk! Don't tell me how to talk to anybody. I've had enough. -Are you getting mad? -What are you gonna do about it? I Liked you better when you had a few drinks in you. You want me out of the house, I'm out! Sorry. I think I made a mistake. Everybody makes mistakes.