I made my little sister’s graduation dress—after the ceremony, our parents’ attorney gave me an envelope that revealed a secret they left behind for me.

the cake so she would not see me cry.

On her birthday, Mia wore the dress again.
The hem was shorter, and one sleeve still pulled crooked, but she spun beneath paper streamers as if the apartment were a ballroom.
I lit four candles and watched her cheeks puff with effort.

“Make a wish,” I said softly beside her.

She closed her eyes, then opened them and continue reading …