SHOW OFF

THE BIGGEST

 

His thumb is in his mouth. Mama takes it out. Joey defies her and returns it so he can suck, suck on it until his teeth get crooked. The dentist has warned Mama that will happen if she can't control Joey. She does try but Joey does what he wants to do. Mama explains again and again that braces are going to be uncomfortable, ugly and he won't be able to eat Milky Ways, English Toffee. Usually she adds, 'AND- Joey, they cost a lot of money that we can't afford.' Does Joey care, pay any attention to her? Of course not. He's only four years old but old enough to be a big thorn in my life and a pain in my butt.

 

When my 'little' brother was big enough to toddle, he reached things he shouldn't touch, broke Mama's favorite vase, her bi-focal eyeglasses and knocked my dolly's eyes back inside her head where Daddy couldn't fix them. Whenever Mama says, 'Who did this?' Joey points to me. Of course, she knows he did it, but blames me, shames me, in front of him and then when Joey isn't looking, gives me a cookie from the pantry. I don't want the cookie. I want her to punish Joey. She never does so I take the offered cookies.

 

Where have I been, I wonder, while Joey grows taller than I am? He's almost two years younger and has become my lord and master. 'Mama,' I cry. 'I hate Joey. He's mean and bossy.' 'Angie, don't talk like that. It isn't nice to hate anyone.' Tough, I think and now I hate Mama. I'm glad, too, that Joey is wearing braces but sorry Daddy had to take a Saturday job to help pay for them. Joey feels sorry for nobody except himself. I don't tell on him when I catch him opening a bar of English Toffee. In fact, I sort of hope he breaks a tooth.

 

He doesn't break a tooth but does break my arm. Mama tells me it's my fault. I shouldn't have pushed him on the cellar steps. 'Ma, I didn't push him. He just stood there, blocking me from going down to get my jeans from the dryer. 'Honest, Ma. I even said excuse me but he didn't and assisted me in falling 3 steps. Ma, take up for me sometime, will you?' Mama turns away and lets me stew.

 

Joey is the tallest boy in the 8th grade. He's 5'10". The next tallest boy, Roland, is 5'7" That makes Joey feel even more superior to the immediate world than ever before. He gets special desks in home room,  English and Chemistry. The gym teacher has given him new exercises to do at home to become more muscular. Daddy buys him a BoFlex and works out with him on Sundays. Mama offers me an apron so I can help her prepare Easter dinner.

 

My brother still loves chewy candy, lots of chocolate, gooey icing. The BoFlex may be giving him more strength but the junk makes him fatter.
For a while we don't notice but the gym teacher does. Joey shows him quickly that he doesn't take orders from anybody and will eat what he wants. He is tossed out of any plans Mr. Grundy, has for him.

 

It happens soon. Joey grows in just two months two inches in height and three inches around his waist. Some of my girl friends tell me he is cute and I tell them they have horrible taste. If they get to know him, they won't like him at all. Joey gets to be 6'7 and gets a bug up his keester. He decides he can be the best basketball player at Charlotte High and can then go Pro. He doesn't even try to cut down on sweets, colas and reaches 205 lbs. His legs have waves of fat. His chin is doubled over. There is more of him to hate and it writhes inside of me.

 

Christmas, oh happy, happy Christmas nears. Mama and I shop for gifts, plan Christmas dinner. I plan on sending invitations to aunts and uncles. Joey sits alone in front of the t.v. eating Hershey bars, bitching about the Macy Day parade, not liking the smell of the ham Ma is baking.

 

While Mama and I are planning seating arrangements, we hear a loud thud and run to the living room. Joey is lying on the floor, his eyes closed, saliva running out the corner of his mouth. I don't wait for Mama to tell me what to do. I dial 911. It takes them seven whole minutes to reach us. They try to revive Joey, do everything possible to make him breathe again but lose the battle.

 

Dad has arrived before Joey is taken to the mortuary. The funeral can't be until after Christmas he is told because no coffin is large enough for Joey. Thru tears, Dad and Mom choose what they think Joey would want. They order a double extra large box so Joey will have plenty of room and always be the biggest man in the cemetery. 

 

He could have been if he ever realized he was a total jerk