Pages 243-282 Summary

The arguing between ma and da has escalated. Paddy doesn't understand why his parents don't like each other, since his ma is lovely and his da is nice . Things change when da comes home obviously drunk one night, and Paddy knows it. Paddy realizes his mother has gotten thinner, and his da looks mean.

Paddy thinks running away will make things better. Everyday in his head he makes a list of things he will pack - where he might go, what money he might use, and what food to take along . Getting away from the fighting is all he can think about.

Paddy feels like a referee in a boxing match. He knows that he is "the ref they didn't know about. Deaf and Dumb." He knows one of them will fall first, but he doesn't want it to be either...