During the times that Edward was at night class, Maude would venture out to the local taverns . . . often leaving Adam alone for a time until his father returned from classes.      If she returned home, she was usually drunk and abusive to her husband and child.

Eventually, Edward graduated from college, received a high paying job, and separated from his unmotivated, uneducated, alcoholic wife.   A legal battle ensued for custody of Adam & financial support for his wife.  In those times the judge often ruled in the wife's favor, and unfortunately did so in their situation, also. 

Adam cherished the weekends that he spent with his father and was resentful that he had to live with his mother.  Adam grew to be a muscular, good-looking, and intelligent young man and soon found himself looking down at what he thought was an undeserving mother.  He lost all respect for her, and found himself able to exert great control over her behavior, because she knew that if she lost Adam, she lost that significant financial support, too. 

She became submissive to him, & he took advantage of it!