She Saved for Our Wedding, Then Gave It to My Brother

My girlfriend came back from a business trip abroad with a pile of local specialties and gifts for my little brother.

Chester Sullivan bounded over to pick through them, thrilled.

Seeing me sit there without so much as moving, my mother asked,

"Aren't you going to see what Hazel Sanchez brought you?"

I shook my head. I didn't need to look.

Those gifts came in every shape and kind, but there was never one for me.

The two of them chattered away, happy, while I sat there like an outsider who'd wandered into the wrong room.

Then, easy as anything, Hazel slipped Chester a bank card.