Logan and His Brothers

Logan McKoy was rather ordinary, but he was happy. When his younger brother David was born and surpassed all of his skills, it didn't bother him in the slightest.

And it didn't bother David either. The boys shared a bond almost like twins.

"Logan, let's go," David would call every Saturday morning. And the two would run out the door, side by side.

"I'm gonna beat you there," David would call back to his little brother, but while Logan struggled in some areas, he was quite fast.

Not much for words, Logan's love language was quality time. When David struggled socially in second and third grade, Logan was always around. And when things got better in the fourth grade, he was still there, asking nothing of him, even when his brother became busy with team sports that kept him away on the weekends.

"You're my special guy, Logan" the boys' mom would say. And she meant it. She loved both of her boys. The family was complete. Well, until the big surprise.

Gertrude had her tubes tied after David was born, so when Xavier came along, she was surprised, to say the least. But it was still good news. That's what families do. They expand.

And there was plenty of room for more. With Logan turning 11 and David about to be 10, one more place was set at the table for little baby Xavier.

Xavier McCoy wasn't vocal like other babies. In fact, doctors said he wouldn't speak at all. It was difficult news for the rest of the family; discouraging. They did their best to speak to Xavier, but knowing he might never speak back was challenging.

David figured there was time, but Logan had always understood time differently.

"I know what the doctors say," Logan told his little brother in a whisper, "but I know they're wrong. You'll speak in your own time."

"What are you boys getting into?" Gertrude asked, coming into the nursery, but Logan was already on his way out. She picked up the baby and carried him back to the kitchen with a defeated smile.

Logan and his littlest brother didn't make too much noise together, but they enjoyed one another's company all the same.

"I know it's difficult, Xavier," Logan said right in his little brother's ear, "But you have to try."

Xavier returned the kiss his brother gave him, but it was hard to know if he was hearing his words.

But what did it matter anyways? That's what the rest of the family told themselves. They would love Xavier no matter what. That's what it means to be a family.

It was less than two years later that Logan fell ill. They'd been expecting it for a long time, but no one wanted to admit it was going to happen.

"I'm sorry, buddy," David said, giving his older brother a kiss on the head. But Logan was too weak to return it. The next day, he was gone, leaving David and their parents in a quiet, somber, state of sadness.

Xavier didn't say anything, but he did claim a few of Logan's toys for his own. He never let go of Logan's squeaky bone-shaped stuffed animal.

"Xavier," his mother said, "I think we should get rid of this thing." But Xavier insisted on keeping it. In fact, when she went to pull the toy out of his hand, five-year-old Xavier finally spoke his first sentence.

"That's Logan's toy, Mommy."

And she smiled. "I knew you'd talk to me someday," she said quietly, and her youngest son smiled a mischievous smile.

He just needed some extra time. While he had challenges, Xavier continued to defy the odds that were supposed to be stacked against him. And though he was a special boy of many talents, writing became his first love.

His family especially enjoyed the tale he wrote about his childhood dog, who'd passed away while he was just a toddler.

Xavier's parents cried, hearing the metaphor their gentle boy had come up with. How clever to suggest that he found his speech when the family dog had spoken to him. Xavier thought to explain, but then he realized some things were not meant to be understood by everyone. It was somehow just right that he had been the only one who'd truly spoken to Logan. He knew what it was like to be misunderstood. He remembered.

And he was grateful to his talking dog.