I caught the next train back to Philadelphia, arriving at my parents’ house at seven that evening.
Vanessa’s Range Rover was parked in the driveway, along with our parents’ sedan and Uncle Mike’s pickup truck.
A family dinner, apparently.
Perfect.
I used my key and walked in to find everyone gathered in the dining room.
Vanessa sat at her usual spot, looking radiant in a designer dress that probably cost more than my monthly rent.
Her husband, Derek, sat beside her, checking his phone.
Our parents were bringing dishes from the kitchen while Uncle Mike poured wine.
“Sarah?” Mom’s face registered surprise. “I didn’t know you were coming for dinner.”
“Surprise visit,” I said, keeping my voice light. “I had some time off and thought I’d drive up.”
“How wonderful. Set another place, honey,” she called to Dad. “It’s so rare we get both our girls here together.”
Vanessa looked up from her phone and smiled at me.
That perfect, practiced smile she had perfected in high school.
“Hey, big sister. How’s the office job treating you?”
“Busy. You know how government work is.”
“I really don’t.”
She laughed, and Derek chuckled along with her.
“All those bureaucratic forms and procedures. I don’t know how you stand it.”
I sat down across from her.
“It has its moments. How have you been?”
“Wonderful, actually.”
She exchanged a meaningful glance with Derek.
“We’ve been making some exciting financial decisions lately.”
“Investment opportunities,” Derek added.
“Oh?”
I kept my expression neutral.
“What kind of investments?”
Vanessa lifted her wine glass.
“Just some securities Derek’s financial adviser recommended. Very sophisticated stuff. Probably too complex to explain, but the returns are supposed to be excellent.”
My parents returned with the last of the dinner dishes.
Dad started carving the roast while Mom settled into her seat with a satisfied sigh.
“Vanessa was just telling us about her new investments,” Mom said proudly. “Derek’s firm is doing so well. They’re really building wealth for the future.”
“College funds for the kids,” Vanessa added. “We want to make sure they have every opportunity.”
“That’s important,” I agreed. “Where did you get the capital for these investments? That must require significant funds.”
Derek cleared his throat.
“We’ve been saving aggressively. Making smart choices.”
“Right.”
Vanessa’s smile widened.