Last weekend my parents took sister and Prince Charming to dinner for sister's birthday. I didn't think much of it as it is a tradition with our folks. However, I was alarmed that I received a phone call from my father immediately proceeding the dinner from his car. It was after nine and I was worried something was wrong. Upon answering my father says to me, "Just wanted to make sure I wasn't in the Twilight Zone." My reply, "Nope, dad. Everything ok?" To which my father tells me he'll explain later... Oh boy.

So the gist of dinner goes a little something like this. Prince Charming wasn't feeling well. He had an upset stomach. I asked why did sister just not leave him home and join folks on her own? To which father replies, "Your sister can't use the bathroom without him, let alone go to dinner." And although that was dripping with sarcasm, there's truth to it.

Prince Charming made sure sister rushed through the meal. He did not even allow her to open her gifts from my folks. Before ordering her meal or a drink, she made sure to check with him to make sure HER meal was acceptable to him. Prince continued to treat her like a child throughout the night and scolded her when she ordered a second glass of wine.

Apparently, sister's house is sold and in escrow but she backed out of the house in Prince Charming town. The house had some major foundation issues that the inspector caught. During the discussion Prince Charming insists that sister is "too picky" and needs to "just settle on a house." Mind you, this is her money as he is contributing ZERO money to buy the new house.

My mother attempted several times to try and organize a get together with Prince's parents and themselves. She feels if they are going to get married they might as well meet. This idea was repeatedly rebuffed by both Prince and sister. And when pressed, Prince was evasive as why meeting his parents wouldn't work out.

All in all, the dinner was not a huge success and my parents did not enjoy themselves. The word "abusive" was brought up as my folks are starting to see red flags as well. My mother mentioned the control he has over my sister and that he scolded her for looking at her phone during dinner.

He talked incessantly about his "girls" at dinner. To which sister just smiled and nodded. He spoke about what a relief it will be when sister moves to his town, as she has a better car and she works from home so he'll have reliable transportation. And seeing his "girls" will be so much easier as they'll all live close by. He mentioned, "I'd really like to get a house within 1/2 a mile of my girls, but sister is too finicky. She really needs to just pick a place and we can remodel in time." :jawdrop:

My father had a private conversation with my sister, unbeknownst to myself or my mother a week ago. In this conversation he asked my sister what exactly Prince is bringing into this relationship besides baggage? He asked about Prince's finances, job history, custody arrangements and why a 55 year old man is living with his parents? All questions she flat out refused to answer.

As we mulled the potential fallout of all this over coffee, my family and I have resigned ourselves to the inevitable. Sister will do as she pleases and that's that. Prince's grasp continues to tighten and we are forced to watch helplessly. My father is beyond frustrated at this point and the now the worry is kicking in. I'm relieved that I am not the only one who see's it. If only sister could...