I cant believe how little sense I seem to have. Do you see how badly Mark is doing? Hes my brother I could have helped him. All I ever think about is me.
A few days ago my mum called and asked me to collect all my things from her flat.
Its getting impossible to move around here because of your stuff, she said.
She only said that after I turned down Marks request for money to cover the deposit on a new house. I wasnt going to *lend* it I was being asked to *give* it, and I know he would never pay me back.
When I said no, Mark stormed out of my flat, furious. He was convinced I should hand over all my savings just because he has a wife and kids, whereas I dont.
I need to get this off my chest; the familys treatment of me feels terribly unfair, especially with the holidays looming.
When I moved to Leeds for university, I immediately picked up a parttime job.
At first I lived in a halls of residence, then I rented a flat with a friend. I didnt want to rely on my parents, so I made a point of supporting myself and helping Mum at the same time.
Mum never accepted cash outright; she always asked me to bring useful things clothes, shoes, household items. Whenever I visited, I arrived with bags full of groceries.
Mum lives in a threebedroom flat with Mark. Our dad died three years ago.
Mark never cared much for study. After school he went to work in the Netherlands, and the only thing he managed to buy there was an old car. When he came back to the UK he became a taxi driver.
Later he married and moved into Mums flat with his wife Emily.
Theyve always been short of money because Mark lives handtomouth. As soon as their wages hit the bank, they spend it all.
Mum and Emilys parents would regularly give them financial help. Mark knew there would always be someone to bail him out, so he never bothered to earn more or improve his situation.
Now Mark and Emily have two children, and a third is on the way.
They decided Mums flat was getting too cramped and started looking at buying their own place.
Im living with my partner James in a rented flat. We plan to marry, but have postponed the wedding until the timing is right. Our incomes are steady James works as a software engineer, and I run several online shops.
We avoid needless spending and are saving for a house of our own so we can be independent after the wedding.
Mum knows about our plans, yet she still hinted to Mark that he could ask me for help.
They want to buy a house but dont have the deposit, Mum told me.
When Mark came to me and asked outright for money, I said no.
He was livid, thinking I owed him something simply because he has a family and I dont.
Later Mum called again and said,
You really have no conscience. Cant you see how hard it is for Mark? Hes your brother, you could have helped. You only think of yourself.
She added,
Come and collect your things from our flat. We cant get around because of your mess. And dont even think about coming for Christmas. Mark is angry with you, and I dont want to see you either.
I didnt argue. Ill pack my belongings and find a place for them in our rented flat. When James and I finally buy our own house, Ill put theirs there.
I could have lent Mark money, but I know he would never have repaid it. He didnt even ask for a loan he just expected me to hand over all my savings because he has children.
Just because hes a dad
How would you have reacted in a situation like this?
