I’ve been married for ten years now. My wife and I live together in a flat we bought with the help of a mortgage, and were still repaying the loan. We havent dared to start a family yet; both of us want to get ourselves properly settled first. I have a brother as well. Hes married, and they live in a cramped one-bedroom flat. My brother holds down two jobs, plus a part-time gig to make ends meet. His wife, on the other hand, doesnt work at all. All she does is have children at a rate that rivals a rabbit. They already have three, shes pregnant with the fourth, and apparently shes planning for a fifth.
On top of the children, they seem to have accumulated a mountain of debt from loans for various household appliances. My wife and I often help them outsometimes we give them money, sometimes groceries. Occasionally, my brother’s wife has the cheek to outright demand something instead of making a proper request.
Thats when we have to set things straight and say no. She and my brother always seem to take offence, but after a few weeks, they return with yet another demand. Since you and your wife dont have childrenand well have four soonyou should give us your flat, she declared one day.
I asked, Where are we supposed to go then? Into your tiny one-bedroom flat? I couldnt believe the nonsense she was coming out with. We’ll let tenants into yours. And you can just rent your own place, she replied confidently. So you want us to pay both the mortgage and your rent? Well, of course, she said, as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world. When exactly will you move out? When are you leaving? You belong in a madhouse, not my flat. Get out, I told her. Fine, Ill go and get rid of the baby. And youll be the one to blame, she said, storming out.
And that’s exactly what she did. The very same day. Without telling anyone. Three months pregnant. The doctors barely managed to save her. At two in the morning, my brother showed up at the hospital and unleashed a barrage of accusations at me. My wife quickly pulled him back and asked me what had happened. I explained the situation. My wife dunked my brother’s head in cold water a few times to calm him down and then shoved him out of our flat. Since then, Ive stopped being his brother.
