In this task you are given an anecdote. You must find out whether the anecdote is something the author has done or is considering doing. Label the instances as "HISTORICAL" when the author has already done something and label them as "HYPOTHETICAL" when the author is considering doing something in the future.

It's a long story (I can try to bulletpoint if anyone wants to know) but I took a DNA test months ago. Found out my dead father isn't my father, it's my godfather who is estranged to us. My mother actually made him my godfather *because* she knew I was biologically his. I suspected for a decade but didn't know till I got the test

Before my bio father became estranged to us he had a son with his girlfriend. I met the son when he was a newborn. The girlfriend left with the son to another state and my bio father left us to be with her a while later. Didn't talk to him for over a decade. We still don't really talk and I found out the girlfriend became his wife and they're now completely separated. They had two more kids and he's not allowed to see them, so I can't even speak to them through him.

Out of curiosity I decided to look the son up since I remembered his name and realized he'd be a teenager. At one point my bio father, who lived with us at the time, was going to seek custody of him. So for a few months I anticipated this kid being my little brother.

Shockingly, the kid looks *exactly* like me. His childhood photos look exactly like my nephew. My sister is also my godfather's, we knew that for sure 100% for years. She took her own test and it says we're full siblings. I showed my friends and therapist his photos from his Facebook and they thought they were old photos of me with long hair. We're almost twins.

So, yeah, the kid is 16 now. He has his own Facebook and Instagram. 

I messaged his mother on Facebook to ask her permission to speak to him months ago. I wrote the letter with my therapist and was cordial and delicate considering the circumstances. She never responded. I was heartbroken but understood. 

My mother brought the kid up the other day and said she knows I'm probably sad that I can't have a relationship with my two little brothers and sister. I told her I was going to wait till the youngest is in their 20s before reaching out (that'll be in 10 - 12 years). She said the oldest is 16 and she thinks he's old enough for me to at least PM him to introduce myself.

I'm super conflicted. I don't know this kid and I don't know if he can handle something like this. On the other hand, 16 is old enough to understand. At the end of the day I want him to decide whether he wants me in his life or not, not his mother. Obviously, she can decide that for right now, but when he's an adult he can choose on his own.

My mother disagrees and thinks 16 is fine. She's under the impression that he probably wouldn't tell his mother and just talk to me. I wouldn't want to do that, however. I don't want to burn bridges or cause unnecessary issues with his mother. 

Family is super important to me, especially siblings. My sisters and their kids are my best friends. Would I be the asshole if I PM'd him despite his mother indirectly telling me no? Should I wait till he's 18 or in his 20s?

Advice? Has anyone been in this situation before?
HISTORICAL

My best friend of almost 4 years just told me she was doing an assignment on 'free range parenting' and she asked if she should be worried about the mothers that are in her class and if they'd be mad at her. She often jokes and likes to make people mad so I didn't think she was serious. 

But then she went on to explain what anti vax means to her and how free range parents think vaccines give children autism. I told her that those ideas make me uncomfortable and then she said that they were true. 

I'm used to having different ideas than her, it's one of the reasons I love being her friend. But this is something I have very strong opinions on and never knew she believed in this. 

Would I be the asshole for not being her friend anymore because of her ideas that vaccines cause autism?
HYPOTHETICAL

I was in the shower when it happened,  so I didn'thear anything.  Apparently,  my puppy (8 months, adopted at 6 months) chewed my boyfriend's son's very expensive shoe.  I immediately offered to buy a new pair, as I obviously felt terrible.  When I went to see my dog, who was now in his crate, I noticed a wound on his front leg that was not there earlier.  I asked my boyfriend what happened, and he said that my dog went to his crate on his own, and he didn't touch him.  I want to believe him, but I've seen him get very angry toward my other dog in the past, and had to intervene before he hurt her.  

Now my boyfriend is upset saying that I had no right to accuse him of hurting an animal.  Am I the asshole for thinking he could have caused my dog's injury?

HISTORICAL

