“Where are you? My kids are hungry, and the table still isn’t cleared!” my sister demanded on my birthday, as if cooking, cleaning, and caring for her children were automatically my responsibility. – Welcome

phone buzzed.

Elliot.

***I’m sorry. I swear I had no idea.***

Then another message.

***Can we talk before our parents turn this into something neither of us agreed to?***

I called him.

He answered immediately.

“Please tell me you knew nothing about tonight either.”

“I knew Dad wanted me to spend more time with you. I did not know there was a ring.”

“Same.”

That continue reading …