If It Shouldn't Have Happened --It Didn't

There were no alcoholics in my family, none--although, according to family legend, we were extraordinarily accident-prone. A cousin expired after having his legs run over while chasing the last train home (after a drinking evening?). Another cousin died when his head was smashed on a marble mantelpiece during an ardent discussion after dinner (and after a few brandies?). As I grew up, there was no drinking at home, except during the decorous cocktail hour. That changed; my father and sister never had a problem, but in due time my mother, my brother, and I all became full-throttle alcoholics.