My family is a mess. My (younger) brother dropped out of school, is an addict, is regularly in jail, regularly struggles with homelessness and unemployment, etc.

My heart breaks for him. Our parents did a rotten job at being parents, and it seems like he got the worst of it, being the youngest. He's 5 years younger than me, so while I was able to escape to college, he got bounced around between my parents with their random new partners and partners' kids, and felt very unwanted.

So, last year when he was in jail, he contacted me and we began writing. He was scared that he didn't have any chances left, and that he was going to get sent to state prison this time. I sent him stamps and envelopes and wrote regularly.

By some miracle, he got into a diversion program. He (supposedly) got cleaned up in jail, and released. He was homeless for awhile, but always seemed to find people to help him out (we don't live in the same state). He was working for an old friend, and renting a room from another friend. We talked every once in awhile on the phone.

I couldn't reach him over Christmas. I was going to send him a card and a small gift card.

So, yesterday, Saturday... I got a call from him. My phone is landline, with no caller ID. He didn't know his phone number and just said to call him back... which I couldn't, since he didn't leave a number.

He called twice on Saturday.
He called today (Sunday).
He called again today, around 5:20, finally realizing that he needed to leave a number, which he did.
He then called again at 5:45 and left a message saying he was upset that I wouldn't talk to him. Less than 30 minutes after he left his number.

I've been sick all week (missed work), and recovering (sleeping) this weekend. I was out running errands when he called. I'm obviously not sitting around waiting for him to call... I have no interest in that. I want to be emotionally supportive, but I am trying to fix my own life, I can't be his mother.

Anyway, at 7pm I tried to call him back... and the number doesn't work. I don't know if it was disconnected within the last hour, or if he gave me the wrong number. His last message mentioned he had a lot going on, and had violated his probation and had to turn himself in tomorrow... I couldn't understand everything he said.

It's frustrating to me. I'm overwhelmed with my own life, I don't think he has any right to be angry at me for not calling him back within 30 minutes of him finally leaving me a phone number. He's in his mid-30s. I don't think it's too much to expect him to be able to figure out his own phone number. I think he expects me to call our mother and get the number from her, but seriously... if you want me to call you back, leave your **** number.

Just needed to vent. I kind of hate my family for being such a dysfunctional mess.

Thanks.