DEAR ABBY: My brother, “Chris,” is going through a divorce and lost his business. He is now lashing out at our mom and me when she spends time with me.
When I tried to express my sympathy, Chris attacked me via direct message, saying I have a “charmed life and don’t care about anyone – including him and our cash-strapped parents.” It started when Dad gave me a car he wasn’t using before we learned about my brother’s misfortune. When I tried to return it, Dad refused.
Because I stopped responding to him on the internet, Chris is now complaining to Mom about my “selfishness.” He says if the situation was reversed, he would have moved heaven and Earth to help me.
Abby, Chris has a job. He lives with our folks and pays token rent. My husband and I work, but I have had a salary cut, we have two kids to support and a mortgage to pay. We’re in no position to provide the financial assistance my brother expects. My parents suspect that he’s still giving money to his soon-to-be ex.
My husband says Chris is trying to manipulate me and that I need to go on with my life, but I’m worried that the longer this goes on, the harder it will be to heal the rift. I’m also worried about how this is affecting our parents. – GRIEVING IN NICOSIA, CYPRUS