Youve got no heart. Cant you see what Daniels going through? Hes your brother you couldve at least tried to help. All you ever do is think about yourself.
Not long ago, Mum rang me up and firmly requested that I come and collect all my old things from her flat.
We cant move for all your stuff, honestly, she said.
All of this, of course, started after I refused to hand Daniel the money for a deposit on a new house. Not lend give since Im well aware that Id never see a penny back from him.
After that, Daniel stormed out of my flat in a rage. He was certain Id simply gift him my entire savings, just because he has a family and I dont. A classic case of the younger brother acting the martyr.
I really need to get this off my chest my family, I feel, are being downright unreasonable, especially now just before Christmas.
When I left home for university in London, I got a job right away, juggling studies with weekend shifts.
At first I stayed in the halls, then eventually rented a place with a mate. I refused to rely on my parents for anything, so I grafted to keep myself afloat and help Mum whenever I could.
She never straight up asked for cash, but she always found some way to ask for a hand picking up shoes, a new jacket, bits for the flat. And I always turned up with half the Sainsburys shop in shopping bags.
Mum lives in a three-bed council flat with Daniel. Dad passed away some years ago, which has been hard on everyone.
Daniel was never really one for books. Once he finished school, he took himself off to Ireland for work, but all he managed to buy in two years was a battered old Ford Fiesta. After that, he came home and took up taxi driving.
Soon enough he married Emily properly English, if a little dreamy and moved her into Mums flat. Money was perpetually tight; Daniel lives his life one payday at a time, wages spent before theyve even cleared.
Both Mum and Emilys folks chipped in to help them whenever they could. Daniel never had to worry there was always someone there to bail him out, so hes never bothered to push for more or save up.
Now, Daniel and Emily have two children, with a third on the way, if you can believe it.
Theyve decided Mums place is too cramped and now talk of getting a place of their own.
Meanwhile, Im in a rented flat with my partner, Ryan. Were thinking about tying the knot, but we both want to wait until were fully sorted. Ryans doing well as a software developer, and I run several online shops. Were careful we dont waste money on frivolities, scrimping and saving for a place of our own. We want a house where, after the wedding, we can properly settle down.
Mum knows our plans but still whispered to Daniel that he should hit me up for the deposit money.
They want to buy a flat but havent got a bean set by, she told me, fishing for a reaction.
When Daniel showed up at mine, outright demanding my savings, I told him no.
He kicked off. To him, I owe it simply because hes married, with responsibilities, and Im not.
Later that evening, Mum phoned me again.
Youve got no heart. Cant you see how tough things are for Daniel? Hes your brother you of all people shouldve helped. Its always just you thinking of yourself.
She continued, Come round and collect your stuff. Youve filled the whole place with your bits and pieces and we can barely move. And dont bother turning up for Christmas. Daniels had enough of you, and, frankly, so have I.
I kept quiet. Ill swing by, pick up my things and find somewhere for them in the flat I share with Ryan for now and once we have our own place, theyll go there.
I could have handed Daniel the money, but I know Id never have seen it again and he didnt even ask to borrow, just expected me to hand it over, like my savings meant nothing.
All because hes got kids
I suppose what Ive learned is this: sometimes the people closest to you expect the most, but being related doesnt mean you should let yourself be taken for granted. Theres only so much you can give before you have to start looking after yourself.
