My parents forbade me from celebrating my 18th birthday because my sister didn’t feel special enough. So I moved out that night. A year later, their golden girl saw how successful I’d become, and her jealous meltdown shattered the family.

parents on her behalf,” Patricia said carefully. “Apparently there’s some family dynamic I’m not privy to. But she’s in crisis, and I’m trying to help her access her support systems—family support systems.”

The irony was almost funny.

“Tell her I’ll meet her for coffee tomorrow,” I said finally.

The next day, I met Bethany at a café near campus. She looked continue reading …