He has a brother from HELL!

This morning I woke up to my friend Ricky's brother Joey screaming at him about me sleeping over. He really didn't have a problem so much as me sleeping over, it's just that he has a problem with me sleeping over being Black. Of course Ricky is Italian. Joey hates Black people so much because his dad left his mom for a Black woman and his dad actually lived with this Black woman until he died. I guess that psychologically messed Joey up. I'm surprised Ricky isn't racist, considering his whole family is.

I'm really stressed out about this. I mean, every time his brother sees me he goes ballistic! It's like the mere sight of me brings about such hatred feelings. Even mentioning my name brings him to anger. Every time Joey sees me he rushes over to try and strike me but Ricky has to constantly push him off and away from me. He then stands there and calls me every nasty name he can think of until he's red, black, and blue in the face. Yes, he actually stands there so long calling me names that he actually turns three different colors. You ought to see it, it's like a freak show with him flapping, wailing, jumping around, screaming at the top of his lungs until he goes hoarse! Then when he's hoarse and too out of breath to talk he then lunges for me again to try and hit me or knock me down. And again Ricky pulls and pushes him away from me.

I really don't know how to handle this situation other than to leave Ricky alone. I'll have to stop being friends with him. I met Ricky a year ago at a (ironically) Italian restaurant. I wasn't even seated yet when he walked up to me and wooed me with his smoothness. I instantly knew that he wouldn't be more than just a friend but I was happy to take on another friend. We all need friends!

Oh, let me also say that Joey doesn't even live with him, Ricky lives alone. Somehow though Joey manages to run Ricky's household. What pisses me off and turns me off the most is that Ricky doesn't even stand up to his brother! He's like a little boy being picked on by a bully! That's so unattractive!

Anyway, luckily for me and my stress level Joey flew to Chicago today for the holidays and I guess he will be back in a few days. Ricky was supposed to be on that flight with him but decided to stay behind until tomorrow because he wanted to spend another day with me. I think all this animosity is a part of why I'm depressed lately.

Ricky isn't my boyfriend, he's just one of the many guy friends that I have. I actually spent Thanksgiving with him at a large get- together at his friend Stu's house. The dinner itself was great, but I grew quickly tired of their nonsense conversations -that didn't make any sense (at all!) and left.

You guys, I don't know what to do! I mean, I don't really want to stop hanging around him over this but I'm forced into that decision. I no longer feel comfortable around him because of all of this going on. I'm sure he will understand.

I need some opinions: What would you do if you were faced with this situation? How would you react? What would you say? How would you feel? Has something like this ever happened to you? C'mon, help me please!