The surges usually began around seven when my mother would start making dinner. Home at 6:45, the kitchen lights pulsing overhead, she’d bang out chicken and rice, things that would keep for several hours.  My father had a hard time getting home while things were still hot, so we ate in shifts, first salad, then vegetables.  My mother at least tried to keep some protein on her plate for when he arrived.  We sat silently; the four of us clustered together around one end of the long table.