DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Every time my mother’s sister visits from Florida, something bad happens in the family. She just likes to start trouble, and in the past, she has done some serious damage.
Because of her sticking her nose into things, my uncle and his wife ended up getting divorced, and their son attempted suicide because of it. And that was just the result of a long weekend visit.
My grandmother tries to avoid her, and Aunt R. attempted to make trouble between my parents, but they saw through it. My mother now refuses to have anything more than polite greetings with her own sister. As a matter of fact, my parents have started taking trips out of town when they know Aunt R. is planning to visit.
I would love to be able to disappear too, but I can’t, at least during her upcoming visit, which she announced she is planning to make now that she is fully vaccinated. Since my parents are usually absent, they leave the keys for her to use their house. This time around, though, I am going to be home for a summer internship, and I don’t want to have to play hostess to a woman I can’t stand.
I’m a little upset at my mom and dad for bailing on me, but I am even more convinced I can’t spend two weeks with my aunt.
What do I do? --- STUCK AT HOME
DEAR STUCK AT HOME: Just because your aunt will be staying in the same house as you, I don’t see why it’s your job to act as hostess. It sounds like you’re something of a guest there too for the summer; so why not just go about your business without feeling any obligation to spend more time than absolutely necessary with your aunt?
You don’t have to be rude or unkind. You just need to be extraordinarily busy.