Drunken Family Fights

 

It was 1985 and I remember this day like it was yesterday. I was in Portage La Prairie visiting my dad and grandma. I had left to go to 7-11 that afternoon, and came back to witness my uncle Ron and uncle Jim fighting in the front lawn, full-out brawl style.

But let's rewind this event for clarity.

Uncle Ron was known to be up to no good, often drunk or high, and had asked my uncle Jim for a ride into town. I think they thought he was going to get drugs. Jim declined, and after that he stormed out of the house and stabbed his spare tire with a butcher knife. He wore these outlandish mutton chops that were stylish only in 1850. There was a crazy look in his eyes, something just wasn't right with this man.

After the tire was slashed, Uncle Jim snapped and shouted 'You son of a bitch!' and lunged at him. Jim ran to the front yard, but was tackled by Jim, who had a good 80 pounds of weight over him. Grandma, and my 2 cousins were trying in vain to get this asshole off Uncle Ron, but hell, it wasn't possible. The man had weight.

I ran into the house, to the living room, just as my uncle Ron was getting the hell beat out of him by my uncle Jim. He was straddling him and just began pummeling him. My dad was there watching TV, calmly. 
I looked at him and said "Dad, shouldn't we do anything?" he looked at me and smiled, saying "No son, just let them fight." 

And so, I went back to the couch, watching a nature show (Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom if my memory serves correctly).

Outside, the RCMP could be heard arresting both men. My poor grandma had to deal with this asshole for years. Uncle Ron spent a few days in jail. I believe they let uncle Jim out that same day. I never did ask why my dad ignored it. But now I understood why. 

Honestly, uncle Jim should have been given a medal, considering how nuts Uncle Ron was.

There was rumors in the family that he was strung out in a house, freebasing cocaine. I couldn't confirm it, but he certainly was very weird when I spoke to him.

This one time, he had this knife and was boasting about 'fight nights' in Portage la Prairie. I had no Goddamn idea what he was talking about. But apparently this man liked to fight people at night.

The funniest story I have about this man I can remember is when he stayed 3 months in my grandma's house after it had been sold and the power was cut off. He literally spent 3 months in a house without power or water. 

I have more stories to tell.