My Brother Hits Me And My Dad up For Money

      I had just moved into my new acquisition – a four plex apartment. I had stretched all of my finances to the limit to get into this place because the loan officer had been a sphincter of a man – forcing me to come up with large sums of money that I did not have at the time.

      I was force to pay Peter to Pay Paul as the ole’ tired cliché aptly explains my situation.

      I had been investing in real estate and the various closing cost were keeping me cash poor.

     I would have had a bit of surplus – if my brother James had not called begging me for a loan.

      He said he needed ten to fifteen thousand dollars – he needed the large sum of money to pay for his contractor’s license and his bond so that he could operate legally. Evidently many potential contracts were closed to him because very few people would not hire someone who did not have either a license or a bond – understandable.

      He was forced to bid jobs at Illegal immigrant rates to entice people to hire him. Unfortunately, many people felt free to rip him off and not pay him what they promised and since he did not have the requisite documents he had not adequate legal protection to go after people that screwed him.

      The fact that my Brother chose to live a life style like my father – which was he lived beyond his means – was a sore point with me. I had usually practiced extreme frugality - something that my Father and Brother despised and refused to do in their own lives.

      However, James was my Brother and I wanted him to succeed. I trusted in his skills as a Steel Fabricator and his work ethic to find the work he needed to make it in life.

      Unfortunately, I only could spare $5,000.00. James thanked me and told me he would try to find the rest of the money from someone else.

      In good humor I told him that maybe he should ask our Dad for the remaining funds.

     My Brother laughed… it was a painful derisive sound.

      “Come on Laz, you know how Dad is, you know the drill”, he said emphatically.

      I did indeed know how our Father was concerning any issue of asking for help – especially if it was financial help, but perversely, I wanted to hear it again from James.

      “Whatever do you mean, I asked with innocent sarcasm?” “It’s not like Dad doesn’t have the money. At least if you believe what he tells us half of the time; hell, just a few months ago I was talking to him and he bragged to me that by end of this year he was going to be worth well over a million dollars.

      James snorts and laughs again – the pain is still there.

      “Yeah, Dad always likes to tell us how much money he makes and how often he is the guy who is picking up the tab at expensive restaurants for his friends or relatives, or business associates.”

      It was my turn to laugh, “Yeah it’s almost like you gotta take his fingerprints to see which Dad you’re talking too, depending on what his or your agenda is.”

      James starts to laugh in real earnest, “Yeah, yeah… if Dad doesn’t think you want anything from him he just loves to brag how rich he is… and that Vincenzo has one set of finger prints, but if he has any inkling that you want money, or hurting for money – suddenly Dad’s story is that he has hit hard financial times and his fingerprints would no doubt be different.

      It’s my turn to laugh. “I know, I can’t tell you how many times that in the same evening he can change horses as to whether he is rich or is in tough economic situation – shit I have heard the change about in the same conversation.”

      “Although, James chimes in, No matter how tough he claims times are, he is always seems to manage living the high life.

      “Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

      We spent a few minutes trying to outdo each other with the various Vincenzo excuses as to why he couldn’t help.

      “Hey James, we are getting off track with as Dad would call them, a bunch of sea stories. Just ask him and be done with it. I mean, what the hell, you’re getting married and your going to have a kid; he’s going to be a grandfather for Christ’s sake! I’m sure this would inspire him to finally help you through life. Besides, according to Mom, Dad lent Uncle Pip and Aunt Gita money so that he could start his automotive business.” Don’t you think if you remind him of this he would consider doing as much for his own son?”

      James sounded uncertain, “Yeah, well, you would think that would make sense, but you know that Dad is famous for spending lots of money on other people instead of his family.”

      I sighed a heartfelt admission of agreement, “Shit, you’re right. Well give it a try anyway.”

      We ended the conversation with the usual well wishes.