Dad had seven boys

Dad had seven boys

fiction
edward w pritchard

Dad had seven boys although Levin was really a cousin. After Mom died in childhood with my youngest Brother Bracie, Dad agreed to take care of his Brother's son Levin. Dad's brother was an alcoholic and he couldn't take care of his only son Levin.

This story is about Bracie. Bracie is small, Mom sort of got tired of having children all boys and Bracie didn't thrive after she died in childbirth. Bracie is scrawny and small. My oldest Brother Micheal is a linebacker for Notre Dame and he weights more than twice what our youngest Brother Bracie weights.
Of course no one picks on Bracie when Michael is around, which isn't often with him busy with Football and college.

Bracie has earned people's respect here in Toledo without a linebacker Brother to protect him. Bracie can eat the hottest Mexican food in town, better than anyone. Even the Mexican chefs at the restaurants will not challenge Bracie anymore. A few weeks ago when we went up to Notre Dame to see Michael play football; Bracie ate some Thai chilies that are supposed to be the world's hottest natural foods.

Dad doesn't say much but I know he's as proud of Bracie as he is about Micheal's football glories, which the guys he works with make a big deal about. For that matter Dad's equally proud of Levin who isn't really his son.