“But first, I’d like to congratulate my sister, Rebecca, on finally getting the exact family she always wanted.”

A small hush moved through the room, the first faint sense among the guests that the register of this toast was not quite what they had expected.

“For as long as I can remember,” I went on, “I’ve been told that being family means sacrifice.

That I had to pay, because I earned more.

That I had to yield, because I was the older sister.

That I had to keep quiet, because Rebecca was more sensitive than me, and mustn’t be upset.” I set down my champagne.