Blind sided....

Long ago, in a former lifetime, my brother asked me to loan him money.  Money with zeros behind it.  With assurances from our mother, I did so.

All was well for a while, then I didn't hear from him for quite a spell.  Then.... a letter from his attorney.  He'd declared his debt to me in a bankruptcy.

A few years ago, he reached out to me from whatever country he fled to, asking if I was 'big enough to get past it'.  My response was two words.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago.  Yup, another letter from an attorney.  This one representing an upstate township that is preparing to sue me for a $2000 delinquent water and sewer bill on a property I haven't laid eyes on in a dozen years.  Totally blindsided me.  Yes, family lived there, till they bailed out without notice.

This drives home two things I know, but I guess the universe thought I needed reminding of.

1)  No good deed goes unpunished.

2) Nobody on this earth will screw you quite so thoroughly as family will.