DEAR CAROLYN: My brother and his domestic partner of six years have rented a beach house for a week this summer and invited some family and friends along. I happily accepted because I love to spend time with my brother, and we live a plane ride apart.
He has since confided that his partner has cheated, repeatedly, with men he met online, once in their shared home. He considered leaving the first two times, but now, the fifth time, he is looking the other way - which is his right.
I used to really like his partner, but now the thought of him makes my skin crawl. Can I back out of the trip without looking judgmental or alienating my brother? The beach house is fully paid for by my brother’s partner, who is wealthy and, by the way, also pays for pretty much everything major in my brother’s life since he is finishing up med school.Spending time somewhere on the partner’s dime is not something I want to do, and I’m not sure I can be fakenice for several days. I also do not want to offend my brother ... help!
- Torn big sis
DEAR READER: You have several good reasons to cancel, with the most powerful being, I believe, your reluctance to essentially spend the partner’s money while quietly despising him. While hurtful, canceling would be a principled stand motivated by your affection for your brother, so the foundation for reconciliation would be built into your actions.
You also have several good reasons to go as planned - they’re a couple, so the house is as much your brother’s as it is his partner’s - but you didn’t mention the most persuasive one.
Your brother didn’t get into this high-risk-betrayal/ resignation/dependency hole overnight; he has been digging slowly for years. Where you see an acute problem, he likely just sees day-today life. To him, it’s familiar, routine.
For better or worse, family visits remind us of who we used to be - and if this situation with his partner has been chipping away at your brother’s integrity and self-worth, then your presence might help him see how much he has lost. A discreet“I’m worried about you” can give that reckoning a push.
DEAR CAROLYN: I gave birth to my second child, a healthy girl, two months ago. I know I am blessed.
But.
I haven’t heard from some of whom I thought were my closest friends. I know everyone is busy, but it has been two months! I’m not highmaintenance - I did not have a shower for either of my children, and I generally don’t like to make a fuss over myself. But being completely ignored after one of the most important moments in my life is extremely hurtful. Should I cut these people out of my life? Approach them with how I’m feeling? Or am I being too sensitive?
- Missing my friends
DEAR READER: Your friends have blown it, no question - but I’d suggest not taking any kind of stand just yet.
Instead, reach out to these friends yourself. Neither hide nor broadcast your feelings. Invite people over - just to catch up - and see what happens. Having them in your presence will help you see whether you’re angry, sador over it - and whether it’s worth it to say how you feel.
Chat online with Carolyn at 11 a.m. Central time each Friday at
. Writeto Tell Me About It in care of The Washington Post, Style Plus, 1150 15th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20071; or e-mail
Religion, Pages 29 on 07/22/2010