And he said, "Son, I know how hard it is with her."
"I *left* her cuz of how hard it was with her."
"But I have to tell you, I hit her, once or twice, myself."
"But it didn't work."
"And it won't work for you, and it will make you feel awful, and after all, she's a good person who has raised you up this far."
"Please don't hit your mother."