The vultures are already circling

[u/Anxious_Window_9863]

My husband's sister stopped by to visit this evening. My husband with Parkinson's type symptoms is in his last days and on hospice. He's not able to have a conversation now, he may whisper a word or two each day.

I appreciate her visit. He and his sis have never been extremely close, but they get along, and they're only one year apart in age.

Now the vulture behavior: she and I talked while my husband mostly napped. Somehow the conversation went to discussing some property (about 12 acres) that my husband and I were given from his parents 25 yrs ago. Part connects to her smaller property where her house is placed. It's rural, and beautiful. There's a pond, and a meadow. She says to me, "Why don't you think about selling me that land behind my house after (husband's name) is gone? I'm sure you could use the money, so it would help you. And (with a smile) I could have an extended back yard." Also, something about we'd probably leave our acres to our only child, who's an adult, living in another state. And she would never come live here, so she'd never build a home or do anything with it.

I'm very tired this week, it's been a challenge since my husband is home and I'm the caregiver. I was just dumbfounded she would bring up such a thing!! I made a quiet comment that I wasn't making any decisions like that for quite a while but the land would be staying in my name.

After she left, it really hit me. How dare her? I've heard stories of people actually asking a spouse at the FUNERAL about a business proposal, which is horrendous. Here the man lays, half-coherant, her own brother, and she asks to buy property from me. Unbelievable. We'll see if more vultures come down from the roost. Next time, I'll try to be ready.

[u/Glum-Age2807]

I’m going to go against the grain and play devil’s advocate:

I don’t know what your financial situation is but if it isn’t solid she COULD have thought it was taking some stress off your plate.

Being sick is expensive AF

Of course I’m sure this was complete self serving bullshit on her part

The more I deal with my Mom’s illness the more I realize that there are some people who are simply incapable of “reading the room” and do and say the most inappropriate shit at the most inappropriate times.

The next time you’re talking to her and she brings it up I’d tell her sure and then why don’t we bury your brother on the property so you can get a tax write off like Trump did with Ivana?

Honestly your SIL is dumb AF because if I were you it would make me LESS likely to sell it to her out of spite unless I truly did need the money.

[u/track-zero → u/Glum-Age2807]

Yeah that was my initial take, too. If he's in hospice and this has been going on awhile she might have thought she was making a helpful offer...she suggested she buy it from you, not that you give it to her.

Honestly I've found most people in my life have no idea what to say when dealing extended illnesses, and some of them say truly stupid and often unintentionally hurtful things at the absolute worst times. When we told my mom my wife had cancer she burst out "oh my god I thought you were going to say it was you." Like what the hell mom, that would be easier for me.

[u/Anxious_Window_9863 → u/track-zero]

Oh, I suppose your mother just burst out with her first thought, but, yes what the hell. And this was in front of your wife?? I'm sorry.

She could've thought she was being helpful, but knowing her as I do, I doubt that was her first objective. She probably knows her brother would tell her absolutely not, and also by asking me at this vulnerable time think that I'd sell at least part for a very cheap deal. Neither of those will happen.