Dennis (left) is in the process of falling to the ground after receiving a punch from Mark (centre) as Rose looks on horrified. Shots directed by Rosie Murray. - Anthony Minott

By Wednesday Reed, STAR Writer

Mark hands out his own brand of discipline to Dennis. It, however is not something anybody expected

"Dennis! Come here!" Mark yelled getting up from the sofa.

"Mark take it easy," Rose said from the doorway.

"Woman, don't tell me foolishness," he responded. "If yuh was doin what yuh suppose to di bwoi wouldn' be suspended now!" She glared at him but didn't respond.

"Dennis!" Mark yelled again.

"Yeah?" Dennis answered coming into the room, but still standing close to the entry way. He leaned against the wall.

"Bu' see yah bwoi. Yuh smokin' suppen? Ah who yuh answer like dat?" Mark asked taking in the cane-rowed hair on the shirtless figure. The boy always seemed to be leaning against something as though he would fall over if he stood on his own. Mark remembered when he was the boy's age. He wasn't any where this skinny. Years of helping his father on the farm had given him thick muscles. This boy was wiss-thin. He was almost a little too girly but fortunately he did have some muscles and he was tall.

"Yes sir," Dennis responded, but he didn't sound respectful and his body radiated resentment.

Eyes challenging

"What kina trouble you get into now?" Mark demanded. "Is what you tek life for bwoi? You tink say I go to work and bruk my back fi you run roun di place? Answer me bwoi!"

"Don' mommy talk to you bout it a'ready?" Dennis slurred. He looked at his mother who was still in the doorway but was now looking toward the street with her back to him and his father. He was all cool energy. He almost smiled as he recognised his father's dislike for his stance and tone.

"Yuh tink seh you a man?" Mark asked him, his eyes challenging. He pulled himself up to his full 5 feet eight inches. Dennis remained silent and slouching. He cocked his head to one side and looked at Mark, a slight smirk on his face. He knew that even slouching he was his father's height. Mark read the insult and bristled further. He was not about to make this two-bit-naw-no-manners-bwoi test his manhood. He moved closer to his son until he was just inches away from him.

Dennis stepped back slightly from the nearness of his father's bulk, moving away from the wall and stepping into the living room.

"Let me tell you someting bwoi," Mark said, his voice low and menacing, "you see when you start pay mortgage roun here? Den you a man."

"Is mortgage mek people man now?" Dennis asked with scorn. He had pulled himself up to his full height and was looking down at his father.

Mark felt his fingers ball into a fist. He watched his fist connect with the boy's jaw and saw the boy's head snap back, taking the rest of his body with it. Mark stood over the prone body, shame and anger battling within him. The more he looked at the figure the sadder he became. "I need a drink," was all he finally managed. He turned and staggered off.

NEXT in Episode 7,Mark meets Josie the bartender who makes him an offer he can't refuse

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