Brother said: “My fiancé’s a congresswoman. You work at some museum gift shop. Don’t come to New Year’s.” Two weeks later, she came for an official tour.
Security briefed her: “You’ll meet Dr. Sarah Mitchell, our executive director.” She went pale. “Mitchell?
As in Derek’s sister?” The engagement ended 48 hours later. The text arrived on December 17th at 2:14 p.m., right as I was reviewing the budget proposal for our new climate change exhibition. Derek: Sarah, about New Year’s Eve.
Rebecca and I decided to keep it small this year, just her political crowd. You understand? I set down my pen and read it again.
My brother Derek, two years younger than me, had never been particularly subtle, but this felt pointed even for him. Me: I thought you said it was going to be a big celebration. He got engaged two months ago.
Derek: It is big. But Rebecca is a congresswoman now. Her colleagues are coming.
Other representatives, a senator, some major donors. She needs to make the right impression. You work at a museum gift shop or whatever.
It’s just not the same level. I sat back in my chair, looking around my office on the third floor of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Through my window, I could see the National Mall stretching toward the Capitol Building, the same Capitol Building where Derek’s fiancée, Congresswoman Rebecca Chen, now worked.
Yeah, I see. Derek: Don’t be like that. We’ll do dinner next month.
Just us. Rebecca wants to get to know you better. But this party is important for her career.
You get it, right? I didn’t respond. I had a meeting with the secretary of the Smithsonian in twenty minutes to discuss our role in the upcoming International Museum Directors Summit.
I had a keynote speech to finalize for the American Alliance of Museums conference in February. I had seventeen curators waiting for my approval on various exhibition proposals. I didn’t have time to explain to my younger brother that I was the executive director of one of the most prestigious museums in the world, overseeing a staff of 1,200 people, managing a budget of $180 million, and serving on three international boards dedicated to cultural preservation.
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