Youve got no heart. Cant you see how much Daniels struggling? Hes your brotheryou couldve helped him. You only ever think about yourself.
Just the other day, my mum rang me and told me to clear out all my things from her flat.
We can hardly move in here because of your clutter, she said.
This came right after I refused to give my brother Daniel the money for a deposit on a flat. I say give, not lend, because I know full well hed never pay me back.
When I said no, Daniel stormed out of my place in a rage. He was certain Id just hand over my savings because hes got a wife and kids, and I dont.
I need to get this off my chestI feel my familys being completely unfair, especially with the holidays around the corner.
When I moved to Manchester for university, I started working part-time straight away.
At first, I lived in halls, then shared a flat with a mate. I didnt want to rely on my parents, so I worked hard just to get byand even helped my mum out whenever I could.
She never outright asked for money, but shed always drop hints about needing thingsclothes, shoes, bits for the house.
And whenever I visited, Id bring bags full of groceries.
My mum lives in a three-bed maisonette with Daniel. Our dad passed three years ago.
Daniel never had much time for studying. After school, he went to work in Scotland, but all he had to show for it was a banged-up car. When he came back, he started driving a cab.
Later, he got married and moved his wife, Charlotte, into Mums place.
Money was always tight because Daniel lived paycheque to paycheque. The second he and Charlotte got paid, it was gone.
Both my mum and Charlottes parents regularly bailed them out. Daniel knew someone would always step in, so he never bothered trying to earn more or sort his finances.
Now, Daniel and Charlotte have two kids, with another on the way.
Theyve decided Mums place is too cramped and started looking to buy their own.
Meanwhile, I rent a flat with my boyfriend, Oliver. Were planning to marry but waiting for the right time. Were doing alrightOlivers a software engineer, and I run a few online shops.
We dont splash out on nonsense; were saving for our own place so weve got somewhere to start our life together.
My mum knew our plans, but she still nudged Daniel to ask me for help.
They want to buy a place, but they havent got the deposit, she told me.
When Daniel turned up and flat-out demanded the money, I refused.
He was livid. He reckoned I owed it to him just because hes got a family and I dont.
Later, my mum rang me and said:
Youve got no heart. Cant you see how much Daniels struggling? Hes your brotheryou couldve helped him. You only ever think about yourself.
Then she added:
Come get your things from the flat. Were tripping over your rubbish. And dont bother coming for Christmas. Daniels furious, and Im not keen on seeing you either.
I didnt argue. Ill fetch my stuff and squeeze it into my rented place. When Oliver and I buy our home, Ill move it there.
I couldve lent Daniel the money, but I know Id never see it again. And he didnt even ask for a loanhe just expected me to hand over my savings.
Just because hes got kids
How would you handle something like this?
