"Don't call me that." He slurs, tripping over the words.

"What?"

"It's Mr. Lyle to you, boy. Will you never learn?"

Eleven-year-old Bobby Bowman crouches on the floor, trying to make himself as small as possible. 'Daddy, I'm sorry,' he wants to say, but holds his tongue. Calling him 'Daddy' is what brought the beating on.

"Who am I?" he demands.

Bobby peers up through his fingers; afraid his father will hit him again. "Mr. - Mr. Lyle."

His father bends down and pats his head. "Good boy."

Bobby decides he hates his father and thinks, one day you'll be sorry.