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My brother and I had a falling out about three years ago. It started with his asking my husband and I for a loan, which we couldn't do. He wanted to borrow money and pay us back within a year's time with monthly payments. We had to say no, because the despite the fact that Stinky makes decent money, he is the only one working. He was taking care of two car payments, house payment and supporting 5-6 people depending on the time. To loan the money, we would have to have borrowed it, and there was no way that was feasible.
My mom told me there were some things said on his part about not having a sister. He felt, probably because his wife tells him this crap, that my parents and I owe him. We owe him because he has helped all of us out a time or two. I helped them out as well. Maybe not as much as he had helped me out when we were both not married yet, but I still helped.
There's also the issue of how my SIL treats my nephew. I have mentioned this here on my blog before, but I can't find the post. LOL But I digress. My nephew got encephalitis when he was 5 years old. It put a big financial strain on their family when he was in the hospital for 32 days. It seems like my SIL resents my nephew for two reasons: First, the financial strain. Second, he looks like my brother. There is also some favoritism in the house as well. Her two older boys (my brother's stepkids) and my niece are always treated better. They get good presents at Christmas time, parties at other places while my nephew's has to have his at home, I'm sure you get the idea. I can't stand it. My SIL also wants to live way beyond her means and my brother works very hard to make sure she can. She became a teacher not long ago, and though they both work, it's my brother who comes home from 10 hour days to do laundry, clean the house, cook, etc. She is gone from whatever time in the morning until nine at night. My niece and nephew now take care of some of the housework and each other. My brother is a good dad and provider. I get so angry hearing about it. I often wonder if he's just sticking it out until his two are old enough.
My girls were lucky enough to see their cousins this summer. Mini-Me told me that no one was even talking about me at all when my brother asked how I was doing. I mentioned this to my mom, and she said he asked her the same thing.
I have been thinking a lot lately. My parents are not young anymore, and my brother is the only other family I have(other than my husband and kids). I feel like I don't want us to never talk to each other again. Stinky and his sister haven't talked in YEARS, and there was nothing really going on between them except for the fact that he just never liked his sister even as a child.
So here I am. I want to see my brother when I'm in Vegas this time. I wonder how he will feel about it? I don't want to call him now; not until I get there. We'll see what happens. Stinky's sister is coming out here not long after we are back from vacation. I told him he should try to put aside the differences, because she is all he will have, too.
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