Your brother calls with good news.
He got the promotion he’s been trying for.
Everyone congratulates him. Your mother hugs him. Someone opens another bottle of wine.
“That’s great,” you say.
Later, he mentions the raise.
“Thirty percent.”
“Jesus,” someone says. “You must be doing something right.”
You take a drink.
“Well, half the department quit last year.”
Your brother looks at you.
“What?”
“Nothing. I’m happy for you.”
A little later, your mother says how proud she is of him.
You nod.
“He got lucky.”