The good sister

Murial was the wild one – sneaking out of the house at night, smoking and drinking, even riding in cars… with boys.

Still she was their favorite. Mother made excuses for her, and Father paid to keep her out of trouble and her troubles out of the newspaper.

I tried to be the good sister who played by the rules and never misbehaved.

Father would say, “it’s a good thing you’re smart, it’s going to be hard to find a husband with your plain face.”

Mother would simply tell me to stand up straight.

I had bigger plans for my life.