My parents told me there wouldn’t be “ENOUGH SPACE” for me at the annual family gathering. But then they invited 88 people. All six of my siblings, their families, in-laws, even cousins and friends. I didn’t say a single word. Instead, I ACTED. Hours later, my mother started screaming…

There was a pause on the other end of the line. A silence that was heavy and pregnant with awkwardness.

“Oh,” Linda said. Her voice dropped an octave. “About that.”

Sarah’s hand froze over her iPad. “About what?”

“Well, you know how popular the Annual Whitaker Gala has become. Everyone who is anyone wants to be there. The Senator accepted. The Board of Directors for your father’s old club accepted.”

“Okay…”

“We’re just… we’re tight on space, Sarah. The venue has a strict fire code limit of 88 people for the seated dinner.”

Sarah frowned. “I know the venue, Mom. I booked it. I paid the deposit. It holds 100 comfortably.”

“Yes, well, we promised Jessica she could have the head tables for her influencer friends—it’s good for her brand, you know? And with the cousins coming in from Connecticut…” Linda let out a nervous little laugh. “We simply ran out of chairs. We figured since you’re so busy with work, you probably wouldn’t want to sit through boring speeches anyway.”