My girlfriend and I went to my family’s house for dinner. My girlfriend was meeting my family for the first time, my parents, my brothers and my sisters. My older brother is autistic and still lives at home. He has a job and could live on his own, but he likes living at home, and my parents like having him there.
My girlfriend asked my brother why he still lives at home. He said he likes it there. She asked him why he didn’t want to be independent, and he said independence wasn’t a virtue. She said it definitely was, and he asked why. She said independence meant freedom. He said freedom doesn’t equate to virtue, and she said it was a virtue.
My mom asked my girlfriend how she was paying for college. She said aid and loans. My mom said, “sounds like you aren’t independent either.” My girlfriend gave me an expectant look. I asked what she needed. She asked me if I was going to say anything. I changed the subject to something else.
After we left my girlfriend was upset I didn’t stick up for her. I changed the subject, isn’t that helpful? She said I should have defended her to my mom. I don’t see why. She started it. Am I an asshole for not defending her?
