The response was swift. Cassidy was the first to call, her voice an octave higher than usual. “Alisa, you can’t be serious. We’re family!” she protested. Patricia followed, trying to guilt-trip me into withdrawing the complaint. Even David was shaken, pleading with me to reconsider for the sake of family harmony.

But I was resolute. “This isn’t just about the pool, or the tent, or any of the material things,” I told them. “This is about respect. Something that’s been sorely lacking.”