The Patriarch!

[Janice Johnson]

This is my new Dave story. (If it seems a bit messy, forgive me. I wrote this part while I was battling both insomnia and boredom. I wrote this part around 1:00 clock at night!


Part 1


Uncle Joe Winston announced that he was going to retire in March as Winston Patriarch. He'd been the Patriarch since 1977, 28 years ago.


Uncle Lenny, Uncle Joe’s first cousin, automatically begun to think that he was going to run the family, as Patriarch, since he was Uncle Joe's Vice-Patriarch since the beginning.


Lenny was tyrannical and would probably not be the best choice for Winston Patriarch. He would be a damn dictator. We could all see the wicked gleam in his eye as he fantasized about ruling the Winston family.


Lenny said, “Yes! I’m going to be the Patriarch! Victory is mine!”


“Not necessarily,” Uncle Joe said.


“I’m your Vice Patriarch. I automatically become the ruler after you retire,” Uncle Lenny said to Joe, confused.


“No. I have another Patriarch in mind,” Joe said.


“Dave Alexander Winston,” Joe said, smiling at me.


“Lenny said, “Dave is a fu….ing…. child. He’s 16! How is he going to rule this family? I’m 50, much more experienced than he is to rule this family than he is.”



“Dave is loyal to this family, and has been, ever since he was a little child,” Uncle Joe pointed out. “I choose him,” Uncle Joe said, stubbornly.


I was happily shocked. I was going to be the ruler of this family?! Everyone would look at me as an authority figure! Yay!


I saw Ryan flash me a look of jealously. Ryan is my 20 year old brother. He was embittered that his little brother was going to run the family.


Joe said, “Dave, you’ve pulled us through some hard times, and I’m thankful for that. Enjoy your role as Patriarch.


Lenny gave me an embittered look. Then he said to Joe, “In order for Dave to be the family Patriarch, he has to be a father.” He smirked at me.


Uncle Joe’s face fell a bit as he realized Lenny’s point.


“I’m a Godfather,” I pointed out. “I’m Sammy Winston’s Godfather. (Sammy is my 1 year old cousin, who I babysit often.)


“That’s not an actual father,” Lenny sneered.


“I’m a Father Figure,” I shot at Lenny.


Joe said, “This is what you call a technical loophole. Dave being a Godfather to Sammy is sufficient.”


I smirked at Lenny.


Other Winston family members thought at 16, I was too young to rule a 1,000 member family.


“End of discussion. Dave is loyal, sweet, and nice,” Joe said firmly to the naysayers.


Uncle Lenny asked, “Who’s going to be your Vice Patriarch?” I was sure he was trying to bait me.


“Ryan Winston,” I said, smiling at my loving brother.



“No. Ryan is your brother. That’s against Winston morals. Lenny said, smirking. “That’s called family favoritism.”


“Derek Alexander,” I said, thinking of my sweet Alexander cousin.


“He’s an ALEXANDER,” Lenny pointed out. “You can’t pick him, because he’s not a Winston.” Lenny smirked even deeper.


I thought and I thought. “Timmy Winston,” I said, aloud. Timmy was shy, but had good family morals.


“That wimp? You’re gonna choose a soft punk to help you run our family?” Uncle Lenny asked, scornfully.


“Yes,” I said, firmly.


“Then it’s settled. Lenny and Timmy will be Vice Patriarchs,” Joe said.


“I’m going to be the boss! Even my parents will have to do whatever I say! I’m in control!” I gloated to myself happily.


Lenny said, “Dave is a criminal. He’s been to jail three times in less than three months. You want this dirt bag to run such a wholesome family? He’s the Black Sheep of the family.” Lenny snorted.


“That’s enough,” Joe said, in a warning tone. “We’re not perfect. We all make mistakes. Leave Dave alone.”


Lenny pouted. “I should be the head Patriarch, not this jailbird, Dave. I have a clean record. He’s got a dirty record,” Lenny continued to complain.


Uncle Joe looked really fed up now. “Keep bashing Dave, and I will disown you from this family, and you won’t be Vice Patriarch,” Joe said, angrily.


That shut up Uncle Lenny. Lenny slinked off.


Uncle Joe told me in private, “I don’t want you to let Lenny push you around. I don’t care how young you are, or about your criminal past. You’re the one I want to be the Patriarch, not Lenny.”


I smiled at him.


The next day, word of my impending Patriarch spread through the family.


Turns out, the older Winstons were offended that I was going to have control over them, and the kid Winstons were upset that I was going to have control over them, since I wasn’t much older than they were.


It really was a damned if I do situation, and a sucky middle position.


Cindy Winston said, “I’m 12, and you’re 16. I don’t think that you should be ruling me.” She pouted.


Eddie Winston, a 70 year old Uncle said, “No way am I taking orders from a damned 16 year old. Boy, I am old enough to be your grandfather.” He looked peeved.


Uncle Joe talked in my defense. “I don’t want anyone talking bad about my decision to make Dave Patriarch. It’s my good decision, and I’ve decided to keep it. End of discussion,” Joe said firmly again.


The Winstons begrudgingly accepted that I was going to be the Patriarch.

[nnelsotn55]

Just fantastic! thanks

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