“Stay Home — It’ll Be Easier.” My Parents Celebrated My Twin’s 25th Birthday And Left Me Out

was quiet and ordinary. The cupcake box in the plastic bag on the counter. The single candle still in its wrapper beside it.

My phone buzzed. An unknown number. I almost didn’t answer.

I’m sorry, the text read. I didn’t think it would go that far. I just wanted… one day that was mine.

Harper.

I read it several times. I was looking for something in it—genuine continue reading …