Tears spring to my eyes and I close them tight, trying to fight them off. But it’s no use. They’re flowing so freely I can feel them dampening my mother’s sweater. I pull away from her, swiping my fingers across my cheeks quickly to make those tears disappear.

All I’ve ever wanted is for my parents to be proud of me. I know I’ve disappointed them in the past. I know my brother is the favored child. Everything Palmer does, he succeeds at, while I’m always left floundering. I’ve never had all that confidence like my big brother.

She rests her hands on my shoulders, studying me with fondness in her gaze and a faint smile curling her lips. “Palmer was the one who told me to, ahem, stop nagging you. He could tell that we were all getting to you, and he intervened on your behalf. He’s always watching out for you.”

I quickly glance over at where he’s sitting in a chair with his girlfriend snuggled up right next to him. “He is?”

I’m shocked. I figured Palmer always secretly enjoyed it when I flubbed up, which I do on a pretty regular basis. That way he always ends up looking like the better, more successful child.

“Oh definitely. We all are. We just show it in ways that you find—irritating sometimes,” she says with a small frown. “Your father and I, we’ve always wanted what’s best for you and your brother. Everything we’ve ever done since you and Palmer were born, has been for you both.”

Her words are making me feel guilty, which I know isn’t her intent, but there it is, unavoidable. And I suppose I’ll always struggle with guilt and even a little bit of resentment sometimes when it comes to my parents, but then again, I need to get over myself and see them for who they really are.

Two normal people who run a business and are just trying to get by and make a good life for themselves—and for us. They’re people who need their kids to help them, and they love their children with everything they’ve got. The jewelry store is their gift to us. They view it as our future, and while yes, I hated having my future planned out and shoved upon me whether I wanted it or not, I’m starting to see it’s actually pretty reassuring, knowing I always have the jewelry store to count on as a source of income.

Realization dawns. Instead of always feeling resentful toward my parents and the family business, maybe I should look at it like a gift, which is what they’ve always intended in the first place.

“Thank you,” I tell her, giving her another hug. When I pull away, I see she’s still frowning, and she even looks confused.

“Why are you thanking me?” she asks with a frown.

“For—everything you do for me. For us. I don’t say it enough, but I appreciate you, and Dad too. Thank you for leaving me alone lately, too. I needed that,” I admit to her. “I had to figure out what was going on inside my head first before I was able to feel good about myself again.”