Chapter 6: Cracks Widen

My younger brother, Tyler, called me out of the blue.

He rarely called unless he needed something—a loan, a reference, sometimes just to vent about the job market. The ringtone made me smile in spite of myself.

He’s six years younger than me, just finished his master’s, and is looking for a job.

He still sounded like the teenager who’d beg for help with his math homework, even though his voice had deepened since then.

He hemmed and hawed with a lot of small talk before finally asking:

"Sis, how are things between you and Ethan lately?"

I was puzzled. "If you have something to say, just say it."

He stammered, and as he finished, a wave of anger rose in my chest.

Tyler majored in materials engineering. In recent years, at his school, anyone who wanted to stay in Boise was almost guaranteed a spot at the company Ethan now manages.

It was practically an open secret—every year, his department sent a handful of grads straight into cushy jobs at the city utility. It was the kind of pipeline our parents dreamed about.

But Tyler said he was eliminated in the interview. The reason: upper management didn’t approve.

"Sis, out of the eight from our class who stayed in this city, I’m the only one who got rejected. I just wonder if Ethan has some other reason…"

His voice was small, uncertain. I pictured him at his apartment desk, surrounded by boxes of ramen and moving boxes, waiting for a break that never seemed to come.

After hanging up, I took a moment to compose myself, then immediately called Ethan.

He didn’t answer.

Ten minutes later, he called back.

His tone was brisk—work voice, not husband voice. I went straight to the point.

"What about Tyler doesn’t meet your company’s requirements?" I asked directly.

He was silent for two seconds, then spoke gently:

"Rachel, he’s perfectly qualified."

"Then why didn’t he get hired?"

"Well, the leadership wanted someone with more work experience this time, so there was one less opening. After weighing everything, it was actually me who suggested removing Tyler’s name. I’m newly appointed—if I immediately bring in my brother-in-law, people will say I’m abusing my position. Rachel, you should understand—"

His words felt rehearsed, like something you’d read in an HR handbook. But I knew how these decisions got made—over coffee, via email, in whispered side conversations no one else heard.

"I don’t understand," I cut him off. "Tyler’s major was a perfect fit, and you only transferred there later. Even if you weren’t in management, he would have gotten in for sure. There’s no question of abusing your power. Besides, you said the leadership wanted someone with experience, so there was one less spot—but as deputy general manager, isn’t that your call?"

I could hear my own voice tightening, trying to keep the hurt out of it. I’d spent years learning how to sound reasonable, but it didn’t matter now.

Ethan was silent for a few seconds, his tone cooling.

"Rachel, you work in HR too. I didn’t expect you to be so immature at a time like this. In any case, the matter is settled. You making a scene won’t change it."

He hung up.

The call ended with a flat beep. I stood in the kitchen, phone pressed to my chest, feeling a dull ache behind my ribs.

I gripped the kitchen counter, knuckles white, willing myself not to throw the phone across the room.

I doubled over, clutching my stomach, a stabbing pain inside.

I pressed my hand to my belly, willing the pain to pass. The baby kicked, a tiny flutter, as if reminding me I wasn’t alone, even when everything else felt empty.

When Tyler got into college, his dream was to join this top city-owned utility. As his sister, not only did I fail to help him, but because of this brother-in-law, I ended up holding him back.

The unfairness burned. I’d spent years telling Tyler to work hard, to believe in merit—never realizing the rules could be bent against him by the very people meant to help.

I felt miserable.