A home is a place where one may relax and be oneself. But what if, for the sake of compassion, you allow your brother and his family to stay with you, and subsequently they are the ones who find fault with what you do at home, like in this story? Read the story and offer your thoughts on the subject.
Source: Reddit
I f32 developed an interest for piano after meeting my late husband who was a piano teacher for 7 years. He taught me to play it and he helped me buy one (used one but still a bit expensive) 2 years ago.
I play it everyday, after his passing (6 months ago) I just find comfort spending time playing. However, my brother and his wife (who came to stay with me for 2 months after losing their apartment) always complain about the piano noise although I only play during the day. SIL and I started arguing more frequently and my brother told me to only play it when they’re out but I refused.
Yesterday, I was out with friends for the day, then I came in the evening, I found that my piano was gone. Turns out my brother had moved it to a friend’s garage (I don’t know which friend) while I was gone. I blew up at him and yelled that he had no right to touch it or move it. His wife said they did this as a last ditch effort to get some “peace and quiet” in the house. My brother reassured me that he’ll give it back once he finds his own place and I get to live alone and play the piano all day long. He was sarcastic in his last line and couldn’t take it. I told them to pack and leave my house because they were no longer welcome after this. He freaked out and tried begging me to take it easy and be more rational, but I threatened to call the police if they refused to leave.
He took his family and left, The piano still isn’t back and they’re saying they’d give it back if I agree to let them move back in (basically wanting things to go back to how they were when they were complaining about the noise). They believe that what happened was a misunderstanding and everyone of us mishandled the situation so they want to start new. I lost it and told them they have 2 days to return it or I’ll call the cops on them.
Mom is pressuring me to take them back saying it was my fault for not having any consideration for them as my guests to begin with, but I refused to take them back and put my foot down on the time-line I gave. Now I’m being called irrational and cruel to kick my brother out, watch him struggle and refuse to let him move back in and choosing to escalate this to the authorities when I could just let them move back in and I get my piano back. What should I Do? Am I acting entitled?
Here are a few comments on the story where it was originally posted:
