Cousin's Keeper

Some posts just write themselves. It all started about a week ago while TBC and I were yakking on the phone. Oldest brother had shown up at our house before heading to their cousin’s nearby dwelling to try to straighten things out between Nutjob and Flower Child. It seems there was an acrimonious fight underway and reinforcements in the guise of “S” were called upon to enter the fray. I guess things briefly settled down—till Monday. TBC and "K" had just left our house when a tearful call was left on voicemail from distraught Flower Child. Yet another battle had broken out with Nutjob zooming off to our friendly, local Supercenter Walmart to camp out and cool off? Buy toilet paper? Mingle with the unwashed masses? I have no earthly idea. Overflowing with the milk of human kindness, I relucta, er, helpfully dialed the absent TBC and asked him to return Flower Child’s call and assess the situation upon which he headed out to Walmart to talk to his wayward relative. Two hours later TBC returned home, feeling confident he had done the best he could to smooth things over. However, Nutjob did not wish to rejoin Flower Child as yet so TBC had suggested he rent a motel room and get some much needed rest seeing as how the sleep-deprived guy was pretty much off his rocker. This advice was not taken. Early yesterday afternoon, TBC calls and warns me not to return home until given the green light. It seems rather than take TBC’s sage advice, Mr. Loon had wandered the premises of Wally World all night and showed up at our place unkempt, filthy and nuttier than a fruitcake. I find it hard to believe Walmart employees never alerted authorities, but I guess his actions were not much different than their nightly clientele. Anyway, though it didn’t sound like TBC was being held hostage, I worried about him all afternoon as I’m unaware of cuz’s propensity for violence. After one final call before leaving work, I headed to “S” & “T’s” house to spend an uncertain amount of the evening. Finally at 7 pm, I headed home to learn of the day’s events. It seems Mr Fruitcake had not eaten, briefly slept in our bed and was given strict orders to patch things up with Flower Child and give his marriage another shot. (I changed the sheets.) After a fitful night, I am back at work today and sure enough, the expected call came around 9 am. It seems Nutjob headed home, resumed fighting, boozed it up, showed up at a smokeshop and threatened to shoot employees (with his finger) resulting in a public intoxication ticket and jail time. Good lord! TBC stopped by his house to find the deputy there and was told Nutjob would be escorted to a psychiatric evaluation center after leaving lockup. Hear hear! Sad to say, a similar episode occurred a few years ago when he lived in a different state. I’m not exactly sure what his mental problems are but it is high time they were addressed and resolved. Will keep you posted…