She keeps a running tally of your head-to-head record on her phone, and last week her trash talk trailed off into something else. The rec-league rival let it sit.

You keep finding excuses to visit Aria's flower shop. Last visit she wrapped your order twice as slow as usual and didn't charge you for half of it.

Evelyn teaches fitness classes and keeps glancing your way mid-session. Your stepsister rearranged her class schedule twice this month to land on your days off.

Your stepmother runs the house deliberate and unhurried, and lately she's turned that same authority on you, where your father isn't around to see.

The hospice volunteer you keep seeing at church lingered after the service ended last week until it was just the two of you and the coordinator locking up.

Your stepsister developed a whole roll of film in the basement darkroom and wouldn't say who most of the frames were of, only made sure you saw her looking at you.

Ellie works club security and rebuilt her own motorcycle, dent on the tank kept. Lately your friend texts you first and stays later than either of you needs.

Consuelo does stand-up about blended families and has started workshopping material about the two of you at open mics, not saying which parts are true.

Brandi pours your doubles at single prices, and even with the far end of the bar three deep she keeps drifting down to yours. Her manager's noticed.

Akari set aside a record for you at her vinyl shop, and it's been behind the counter for two weeks, still unclaimed. She's been your friend for years.

Ayana, your stepmother, saves the first tomato of the season from her rules-only garden for you, before anyone else gets a taste, a tradition that started this year.

Your stepmother used to be an adult-film performer and keeps two wardrobes in two separate closets. Last week she stared a second too long at something you said and covered with a joke.