Chapter 2 - The Golden Boy
Kevin appeared beside us wearing a tailored tuxedo and the smug expression he had perfected sometime around high school. He was thirty-seven now. Vice president of something at a company whose title changed every time he explained it. My parents spoke about him as if he had personally invented capitalism.
“There she is,” Kevin said. He looked at me. Then at my dress. “That’s what you wore?”
“Yes.”
“To Dad’s jubilee?”
“Yes.”
He laughed. Mom smiled. I didn’t.
Kevin lowered his voice. “You know General Sterling is coming, right?”
“I heard.”
“Dad has been trying to reconnect with him for years. Tonight matters.”
“I understand.”
Kevin leaned closer. “So maybe don’t do your mysterious Elena thing.”
“My mysterious Elena thing?”
“You know. Standing around looking uncomfortable. Giving vague answers when people ask what you do.”
I looked at him. “I answer their questions.”
“No, you say you work for the Army.”
“I do.”
Kevin smirked. “At least say what you actually do.”
“I do.”
“Administration?”
“No.”
“Logistics?”
“Sometimes.”
He chuckled. “See? Weird.”
My mother sighed dramatically. “Kevin, leave her alone. Elena has always been private.” That sounded almost protective. It wasn’t. Then she added, “Probably because there isn’t much to say.”
Kevin laughed again.
I felt something old move inside my chest. Not anger. Not anymore. Something heavier. Something exhausted.
May you like
I had spent decades trying to earn respect from people who had already decided who I was. When Kevin got promoted, Dad opened a bottle of champagne. When I was reassigned overseas, Dad complained that I had missed Thanksgiving. When Kevin bought his first luxury car, Mom posted fourteen pictures online. When I received my first command, she asked whether I had finally met anyone worth marrying.
Years passed. And eventually, I stopped explaining.
