m thirty-four years old. My name is Jordan, and I live just outside Denver, where I work remotely as a UX consultant.

For the most part, I’ve built a quiet, stable life.

The center of that life is my seven-year-old daughter, Lily.

She’s smart, funny, kind, and somehow capable of making even the worst day feel manageable just by laughing.

Her mother and I separated years ago.

There wasn’t some dramatic betrayal or ugly custody fight. We simply became two people moving in different directions.

Since then, Lily and I have built our own little world together.

And honestly, we’ve been doing pretty well.

My extended family, however, has always been more complicated.

Especially when it comes to my younger sister, Alyssa.

She’s twenty-nine and has spent most of her life being treated like the family’s golden child.

Whatever mistake she makes, someone is waiting nearby to soften the consequences.

Credit cards maxed out?

Mom and Dad help.

Job falls apart?

She moves home.

Relationship ends?

Everyone rearranges their lives around her heartbreak.

Apartment problems?

There’s always a couch waiting.