“Cut Off: How My Brother Joshua Became a Stranger Because of His Wife and Mother-in-Law”

Joshua had always been the quiet one in our family, the middle child sandwiched between two outspoken siblings. Growing up, he learned early on that the best way to navigate through life was to avoid conflict and keep everyone happy. This approach served him well until he met Ariana.

Ariana was vivacious and assertive, a stark contrast to Joshua’s calm demeanor. When they married, our family was happy for them; Ariana seemed like the breath of fresh air Joshua needed. However, it wasn’t long before we noticed changes in him.

Initially, the changes were subtle. Joshua, who used to call our mom every Sunday without fail, started missing his weekly calls. Family gatherings became less frequent, and when they did attend, Ariana did most of the talking. Joshua seemed to fade into the background, nodding and smiling, but rarely contributing to the conversations.

The real shift happened when Naomi, Ariana’s mother, moved in with them. Naomi was a widow with a strong personality, much like her daughter. She had definite ideas about how things should be done, and she wasn’t shy about expressing them. With both Ariana and Naomi in the same house, Joshua’s voice, which was never loud, seemed to disappear altogether.

Our family tried to understand and adapt. We invited them over, hoping that in our home, Joshua might feel more comfortable. But the few times they came, Naomi dominated the discussions, with Ariana supporting every word she said. Joshua just sat there, looking tired and withdrawn.

The breaking point came during Thanksgiving last year. Our family has a tradition of going around the table to express what we’re thankful for. When it was Joshua’s turn, he hesitated, and Naomi quickly jumped in, “Joshua is thankful for his wonderful wife and having me as his mother-in-law in his home.” Everyone laughed, thinking it was a joke, but the look in Joshua’s eyes told a different story.

After dinner, I pulled him aside and asked if everything was okay. He looked at me, then around the room, and whispered, “I can’t do this anymore.” Before I could respond, Ariana came over and took him away, saying they needed to leave early for a friend’s party.

That was the last time I saw Joshua. Calls went unanswered, and messages were left unreturned. Mom tried reaching out, but even she couldn’t get through to him. It’s as if he’s been erased from our lives, a ghost at the edge of our family memories.

We hear bits and pieces from mutual friends. They say Joshua looks worn, a shadow of the cheerful brother I grew up with. Ariana and Naomi are thriving, often seen at social events around town, always smiling, always together. But Joshua is rarely with them.

It’s painful to admit, but the brother I knew seems gone, swallowed up by his need to avoid conflict and his commitment to keeping the peace at any cost. Our family gatherings still have an empty chair for him, hoping one day he’ll come back to us. But deep down, we know that as long as Ariana and Naomi are in his life, that chair will remain empty.