I thought I would unwind, maybe crack open a glass of wine with my wife, and take in the quiet of our home after returning from vacation. Rather, we entered a living room that resembled a fully furnished fraternity house following a very bad party. Beer cans littered the area, soiled clothing was piled in various directions, and the smell—oh my god—was overwhelming. My elder brother Theodore, often known as Ted, was lying fully stretched out on my couch, giving the impression that he was the owner of the space.
“What the hell, Ted? What is this? How come you are in my home?” I asked, attempting to remain composed even though my heart rate was increasing rapidly. My wife, Nina, rolled her eyes as she took in our living room. I realized right then that I had to make the necessary corrections or I would have a very irate wife. With a nonchalant glance, my brother looked up, as if I had not just caught him in the act. He said, “Oh, hey, Jeremy.” “Your parents decided it would be simpler if I moved in while you were away. It is not like you are using all this space that you have, you know? Nina and you are away on vacation or at work.”
I blinked as I tried to take in the boldness of what he had spoken. “You made the move? You relocated to my home? without requesting? Ted, are you crazy? He raised his feet to the couch and crossed them as though he was ready to watch a movie, rolling his eyes. Indeed, but what? he asked. “It is not like you would say yes, and I needed somewhere to stay. We therefore choose to omit that section.
Jeremy, stop being such a stickler. Just lend a hand to a brother.”After years of witnessing him take advantage of my parents and live a life full of excuses, it was as like a switch had been flipped inside of me. In this case, he was the victim.
He had now taken over my home. Really? “Mum, did Theodore really move into my house while I was abroad, with your dad’s approval?” “Why do you use my entire name?” Ted added his voice in the background. I disregarded him. My mother remarked, “Jeremy, stop being so dramatic,” without even the slightest trace of regret. “You have so much space, and Ted needed a somewhere to stay. You are not even a parent yet. What could be the harm in lending a hand to your brother? I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
“He is 42 years old, Mom. He is not a child. After allowing him to take advantage of you for years, you now want to throw him at me? Are you for real? Why do you think he should be treated like a young man just out of college?” My mother’s voice changed, and she launched an instant defense. “Oh, sulking, you know?” said she. “Jeremy, I am disappointed in you. He is experienced a lot. You have no idea how it feels to be him. Everything has always been within your control.