My Dad’s 60th Birthday Invitation Said “dress Properly Or Don’t Come.”

was coloring at the table beside me.

“Are we going to Grandpa’s party?” she asked.

I forced a smile. “Maybe, sweetheart.”

Two hours later, my mother called.

“Claire,” she said, using that careful voice she saved for humiliating me politely, “your sister’s boyfriend will be there.”

“Okay.”

“He’s Senator Wallace’s son. There will be important people attending.continue reading …