I don't think that more siblings mean more people to take care of aging parents is anything to count on.

Yeah. In several generations of my family it was more like, "You're female? No kids of your own? Congratulations—here, have an elder-care situation of your very own. Long distance bills for siblings who want to be kept up to date, not as optional as you might like."

Oh shit.

So. For years, my brother has had a secret Caucasian she-devil girlfriend. I have kept this a secret EVEN FROM YOU GUYS. I finally met her last year on my trip to Dallas, and they're basically living together at this point.

Today, my sister and mom paid him a surprise visit to bring him food. They didn't even call when they were in the area; otherwise, he would have said he wasn't home. He didn't even answer the door when he saw them through the peephole, but my sister noticed the movement, so he had to open it.

My mom went to the bathroom, and she opened the closet because she's nosy, and she found a bunch of women's clothing. His girlfriend jokes that he should have told her he was a cross-dresser, but that doesn't occur to you after you've been found out after years of trying not to be. He even told her her name, so he can't even pretend she's Indian.

They left, and my mom called my dad. My grandparents are in town, and they don't want them to know. It's all a big, unholy mess, and we knew it would probably happen eventually, but you're never really prepared.

Please send ~ma my brother's way. He's going to need it. I could use some too. I'm shaking over here, on his behalf. My brother joked that they're pretty much never going to believe any of us ever again.

Oh dear. I hope things go as smoothly as they possibly can.

Man, does he need to drag you down with him? I mean I know you 2 are close, but it's not like it'll be easier on him if you're outed as a co-conspirator.

Yikes, P-C! Your poor brother, and I am evil for thinking that they may leave you alone for a while.

(His latest development: we were at dinner with a friend, who lent him her mobile phone. After playing with the buttons and turning on the lights, he put it up to his ear - upside down - and started merrily burbling away. Lovely Boo.)

::melts::

PC - good luck and ~ma to your brother. And to his girlfriend, who sounds pretty darn cool.

I have two recommenders out of three - yay! BITE ME person who made me feel awful yesterday. Now to work on the third.

OMG, you didn't tell us that your bother had a secret shedevil girlfriend!!! He was LIVING with her and keeping her secret?!? That's crazy.

Billy - wait until he's older and can actually work the phone.

Or do what my nephew did the other day --Mom put the phone to his ear so I could talk to him, and he grabbed and went off running chanting "Mine! Mine!" I could hear mom in the back ground "Can you bring Nina the phone?"

I was cracking up but hoping he could hear me I was telling him "E you're such a good boy! Can you take Nina the phone? Go to Nina !"

PC I'm sorry about what happened with your brother.

Holy crap, PC. No wonder he's supportive about the grief you get from them.

I hope it works out, for both of you (and the white she-devil).

Good luck to you and your brother, P-C.