Ms. Fran Pigza is Joey's mother. She is described as a troubled woman, who has been abandoned by her husband, and who later chooses to leave her son with her abusive mother. After many years, Ms. Pigza returns to her son, who suffers from severe hyper-attention disorders. When she learns her mother is abusive to Joey, she makes rules for the household. Grandma, unable to follow the rules.... leaves. Unfortunately, Ms. Pigza continues to struggle with her drinking, and although she loves her son, she blames him for some of her issues. The one person she refuses to blame is herself.
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key