My parents forced me to stay home to feed the dog and water the plants while the whole family went on vacation. When I asked why, my sister said, “That’s your role in this house.”

her hair like she was posing for a travel ad.

“Why me,” I asked, “when the whole family is going on vacation?”

Vanessa raised her eyes only long enough to smirk. “That’s your role in this house.”

I waited for my parents to correct her.

They did not.

I was twenty-four years old, working full-time, paying my own phone bill, helping with groceries, and somehow continue reading …