My best friend in grade school was 100% Irish-American and all the negative stereotypes that come with that his parents were.

They were old fashioned church going hot head alcoholics and verbally/physically abusive towards both their children.

Many a times I had to bare witness to it. His dad would say "your not going to say anything right?" And I'd nod and agree cause that was my friend and I didn't want to bring him any shame or embarrassment by telling anyone. It wasn't something him and I talked about in private, ever. I knew if I told my parents they wouldn't let us hang out anymore so I didn't want that, either. We were thick as theieves and what we called "blood brothers" we looked out for each other and protected each other.

I'd walk to his house every morning and wait in the living room for his dad to drive us to school and almost every morning I'm watching my best friend get beaten. Over the something often so petty. When boys have bruises teachers don't think much of it "boys will be boys" or at least they didn't think much of it in the early 90's.

We stayed best friends until our early twenties and I kept my mouth shut all through our friendship.