Now, I’m not one of those people who like to show off or need the most extreme things to get people’s attention. So, I didn’t choose a luxury-brand car or anything flashy, but it was brand-new. It was cherry red, safe, reliable, roomy enough for road trips—and all mine.
It was the first big thing I had ever bought just for myself, a bit of a reward for all my hard work. I even gave it a name: Rosie. Silly, I know, but after driving a clunky old hand-me-down for years, Rosie was a symbol of everything I’d earned.
About a month after I brought Rosie home, and a day before my niece’s fifth birthday, Melissa called. I was swamped with work. A huge client was coming in that weekend, and I had to work overtime.
I had already broken the news to my sister that I couldn’t come to Lily’s birthday party, and I felt terrible about it. The guilt was eating at me even before the phone rang. It wasn’t the usual “Hi, sis” I got from Melissa.
No, this time her voice was insistent, almost like she’d decided for me and was just letting me know. “So Lily’s party is Saturday, and we need to pick up some kids and decorations. You know, the usual chaos.”
“Yeah, I really wish I could come and help, but I told you I’ve got that presentation and—”
“I know, I know,” she cut in.
“So here’s the thing. I’m going to need your car for the party. I need to load up the kids, the balloons, and the cake.
My car is too small. You’re okay with that, right? I mean, Lily’s counting on you.”
I blinked, not sure I heard right.
