Vanessa disappeared for 2 days. On the third day, she sent me an address for a wellness center on the outskirts of town. When I arrived, I learned she'd shut herself in a counseling room.
She sat by the window with two untouched cups of coffee in front of her. After I sat down, she didn't say a word for a long time.
"I always thought you had everything," she finally said. "Your grades were better, your job was better, and the adults were always praising you. My parents kept comparing me to you. I hated you for it."
I listened.
"But I couldn't do without you, either. I didn't know how to put together gift lists, deal with people, or read a room. Whenever something went wrong, you rescued me."
She lifted her head, her eyes red.
"I knew it was wrong, but I still thought you were suppose
