Dear Prudence,
My brother is your typical basement dwelling neckbeard. He has mental and emotional problems that prevent him from actually interacting with polite society and has our mother to do everything for him except wipe his ass. He is addicted to weed and video games. He has never lived alone, but our mother’s health is failing. Our father wants to sell the house and move into a smaller place—and be rid of my brother.
I left home as soon as I was able and rarely visited. My brother would creep on me and my friends as a teen. Well, I have been looking for another housemate since my last one moved. I own my own home, but it is in an expensive area. Both of my parents are putting pressure on me to take in my brother and have even offered to pay me. All my objections get ignored, and I am tired of being badgered by them. My mother’s birthday is coming up, and I don’t really want to fly out to have the same broken conversation with them.
—Broken Record