Page 51 of Forget Me

“I get it. They want to protect you.”

I chuckled. “More like push me. Mom taught me early that women have to have the tools to protect themselves.”

“That’s right.” Mom bustled in with a dish of boiled potatoes. “Smarts, drive, and confidence. That’s what it takes to succeed in a man’s world.” She pierced Cooper with a challenging stare.

“Absolutely. I know I have a lot of privilege, and I try to help others who don’t.”

“He does.” Ben carried in the peas and carrots. He set down the bowl, then kissed Cooper’s cheek. “He supports every women’s shelter in the Bay Area.”

That had to be a story. I watched Cooper’s face, but it betrayed nothing but love for my brother.

Dad brought in the salad. “Let’s eat.”

“Prayers first,” Mom reminded him.

Not even the Shabbat songs and prayers distracted Mom from her line of questioning. After we’d blessed the Challah and everyone had eaten a piece, she locked onto me from across the table. “Adam, Mimi’s thinking of leaving her job in accounting to work for a nonprofit.”

“Mom, I’m not really leaving accounting. I’m taking my skills to the nonprofit.”

“You’ll keep up your CPA?” Dad asked. “You worked so hard for it.”

“Of course I will.” I shuddered at the thought of retaking the exam. “I’m just adding on more responsibilities.”

“It’s a good career move.” Cooper pushed his glass of wine toward Ben. He’d taken only a sip after the Kiddush. “Mimi can grow into other areas—operations, management, development—that she wouldn’t normally be exposed to at a bigger company like Synergy.”

“But at Synergy she has stability,” Mom said. “A defined career path.”

“Mom,” Ben interjected. “Things are different now. It’s not like when you were starting your career. When you moved up the ladder. People today are more mobile. Open to different career paths. Hustling.” He smiled at me across the table.

Mom raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you ‘Okay, Boomer’ me. I’m Gen X. We scrabbled for everything we had. I had to push and claw past all the established Boomers at my firm. Those white men with wives at home taking care of the house and the kids. Mimi knows it’s harder for us. No one’s taking care of her, ready to pull her up to the next level. She’ll have to grab each rung herself and take it. But”—she smiled at Cooper—“Synergy looks out for its employees. Will this brand-new nonprofit do the same?”

“I’m sure Jackson’s taken care of it.” Even as he said it, Cooper’s jaw tightened, belying his confident words.

“Maybe Mimi isn’t as interested in employee benefits as she is in helping people. In doing good in the world,” Ben said. “I’m proud of her for wanting to help kids.”

“Aw, thanks, Benny.” I raised my glass of wine to him. He winked and did the same.

“Still,” Cooper said, “I’d be happy to talk to Jackson about the career path and remuneration—”

“No.” My heart leaped into my throat. What would Jackson—and Larissa—think of me if Cooper threw his weight around? “Thank you. I’ll check it out before I accept an offer. I promise.” I nodded at Mom.

“It’s kind of you to offer, Cooper. I’m glad Benny found you.” Mom beamed at Cooper.

I couldn’t keep my eyes off Ben. His soft expression of happiness, of pure freaking bliss, was like nothing I’d ever seen on his face.

He had every right to feel that way. He had the fulfilling job he’d always dreamed of, plus a fiancé he adored and who obviously worshiped the ground he walked on. He had love and financial stability. My little brother was at the flipping peak of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

And where was I, the older sister who’d always seemed to have my shit together? Still at the bottom, still working on my financial safety. No hope of love.

I’d always made fun of my brother for falling in love so easily. But now, seeing him so transcendently happy, a small part of me wanted what he had.

I poked at my matzah ball with my spoon. I never thought I’d be jealous of my little brother. But I was.

“I hope you find someone like Cooper,” my mother said, voicing my own thoughts. “Well, maybe not as good as Cooper.” She laughed nervously. “Someday when you’ve settled into your career.”

As little as I remembered from Bree’s bachelorette party, I remembered how my Mystery Man made me feel. It was the same way my brother looked: seen and cherished.

“Maybe someday,” I said.

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