Life had turned ugly. He was drinking and she hated the drinking, the smell of him as he crawled into the bed late at night, when he got home from drinking with his buddies and his girlfriend. The children didn't see him except for dinner. He didn't want to miss dinner, after all. As he dressed to go out that night, they quarreled, had words, downright fought. Whatever it was that she said, (she can't remember really), angered him.

He turned quickly and his hand raised to strike her. Without thinking she found the back of her hand impacting his mouth and interfering with that move. Bridgework skittered over her polished hardwood floors. Electric tension broken by the suddenly absurd, she burst out laughing at the sight of his astonished toothless mouth and the teeth coming to rest, just under the dresser. Picking up his teeth, as she laughed uncontrollably, he left the room. His violence was always under control around her, after that.

It could have gone badly for her that night. She doesn't advise hitting a big strong guy at all.