Illusion of Impunity

So, I have this fiance, Roman, who loves the arts, and does everything he can to make an income from singing, dancing, etc. He's got an over-the-top personality that occasionally stresses me out, but he certainly shows that he is considerate, and that he loves me. I wouldn't trade him for anything, but whom I would trade for anything was his brother.

His brother, Remus, was the kind of person who has no filter when it comes to remarks and actions. Morals go in one ear, and out the other for that fool who loves to make claims of eating deodorant, that it made me uneasy when we visited Roman's family. Remus made everyone uneasy, and it wasn't exactly a secret amongst his family, but their parents kept insisting we give him the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, since Remus lacked moral restrictions or verbal filters, he often got himself behind bars and his parents kept reaching out to Roman to bail him out with the idea that "he's family and deserves another chance."

One day, I looked at the calendar on my phone, and remembered my family was supposed to go out for dinner with his family the following evening. I brought it up to Roman when he got home from a rehearsal, but he didn't seem very eager to discuss it. As he lied down on the couch, I asked if everything was all right, and he seemed upset. I just took it as a hint to just leave and find another activity. I spent time at a cat cafe, and was concerned about what was going on. Did Remus snap and kill everyone? Were they persuaded that I wouldn't make a good husband? Did a family emergency happen that would have us delay the wedding?

After losing track of time, and having conversations with the cats, I went back home to Roman. I lied down on my side of the bed, and saw Roman sitting on the edge of his side.

"I'm sorry, babe. With what just happened fresh in my mind, I sort of forgot what kind of person I was in a relationship with," he told me.

I'm sure there are people who would think he was dramatic for saying that, but his remark just gave me the reminder that he still knew of my anxiety, and the constant "what ifs" that go through my head when I don't know what's going on.

"No worries. The cats took it easy on me. Anyway, what happened?" I tried again.

The details of what he said weren't as fresh in my mind as the synopsis, so I'm just going to post that:

Basically, Remus got arrested again, but for driving under the influence combined with a hit-and-run. Roman's parents called him asking for him to bail Remus out again, and he lashed out when he found out what the charges were. His father demanded an explanation for him supposedly abandoning his brother when he needs him, and Roman retorted by demanding an explanation for brushing off of Remus's behavior and gifting him with "the illusion of impunity" (one of our mutual friends would be proud of him for that vocabulary usage). Eventually, Roman made sure no one else could hear him before telling his parents "If you can't parent him properly, you can go screw yourselves like Remus does with two toys at once" before hanging up, cutting ties with his family.

I had never felt more proud of the over-the-top love of my life, in all honesty. Not only was it fortunate that we wouldn't have to deal with Remus anymore, but Roman cut ties before the guest list for our wedding had been finalized. I don't know if his family would come to their senses, but I do know that I'll continue to be there for Roman whenever he has something lingering in his mind.