1. That's It! (cont.)

Our father spanked him, too, every time he was anywhere near my crib when I began to cry. As I’ve said, the house had only four rooms, four small rooms. Will must have found it difficult to find a place to exist that was far enough away from my crib to be safe.

I was grown when Mother told me that last story, and I found myself filled suddenly with a sad understanding.

No wonder my earliest memories of my brother are of his being profoundly distant, profoundly critical, profoundly superior! He must have needed all that distance—and more—just to survive.