Thank you for your lovely comment. I first included "the stranger's face" in a story that was published only in December or so, but it plays a big part in a manuscript I've been sitting on for a couple years. I left it in a story without any context, and I've been saddened to see how many people know instantly what I'm talking about. The beta reader I sent my manuscript to didn't get it at all, so that was interesting too. At the time of this incident with my dad, I was maybe 20 and I'd already seen how his essential trait was cowardice. Even though he had about 50 pounds on me, he stopped relying on his physicality when I was around. I think that, more than anything, is what made me lose respect for him. I was aided by my own growth into a man's body in seeing how he was false. I expect it would have been more difficult (not impossible, but more difficult) to see this if I'd been a girl. My wife is a person who absolutely does not tolerate physicality. She's known for standing up to people who are much bigger than she is and refusing to back down. I'm always delighted to read a long and thoughtful comment like yours. I have more thoughts and feelings to unpack on this topic. Thanks so much for your words!