My family ‘forgot’ to invite me to the annual cruise, yet my younger cousins got tickets. my aunt texted, “thought you’d be too busy with work.” I didn’t argue. two days later, I saw a charge for the full group package on my card. I called the service and said, “I need to cancel and get a full refund.” the ship didn’t leave. later that evening, my uncle called, furious. I simply said, “thought you’d be too busy with the ocean.” and that was before step two began…
My name is Alex. I’m twenty-nine, and I’ve always been the quiet achiever in the family. Not the favorite, not the rebel, just the dependable one. The one who shows up, pays on time, and doesn’t make a scene when someone forgets his birthday. I wasn’t bitter. Not until the cruise.
