u/OverpricedGoods

I'm not sure if this belonged here or the parenting sub but I chose here. I'm in a bit of a bizarre predicament wondering if anybody else, particularly guys, have been in anything similar.

So I've (32M) been part of the extended family for 6 years now when I married my wife and every holiday or birthday my wife's family typically have a meal or dinner together with their whole family. This usually includes my sister in law and her family, which includes her 42 year old husband, a 17 year old daughter and 14 year old son. The son in particular, who I'll call Daniel, typically keeps to himself while everyone else mingles and talks to each other. He's usually on his phone or doodling in a notebook. Occassionally I catch him alone and we share some words. I ask him what he's doing and he tells me about his characters that he doodles. His story is hard to follow but I ask questions about his characters to the best I can and he feels eager to share. But thats typically the extent of our interactions. He's a kid of few words and I don't usually pry too much.

It's also worth noting that me and my wife are child free.

Anyway, yesterday I get a call from my sister in law, saying that they want me to come over and talk to Daniel. He's refusing to go on their 2 week family vacation to the bahamas for next month. It's not that he wants to go somewhere else, he said doesn't want to go anywhere with them. He dropped this in their lap just last weekend. His parents had a big argument and fight about it but he isnt budging. Well, apparently in the middle of their argument Daniel name dropped me and says he can stay with me and my wife. From what they say Daniel likes me which is actually a shock to me.

My sister in law wants me to convince them to go to the vacation. I asked why is it such a big deal if he doesn't go? She freaked out on the phone and says family vacations are for the family, everyone goes. It's a yearly tradition for them. I said I can talk to him, but I'm making no promises that I can force him to go.

Im about to talk to Daniel this weekend, this whole interaction is bizarre.