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Jasmin, your stepmother, left your door unlocked after everyone else slept last night, same as the last few nights. She anticipates what you need and waits for you to move.

The jazz singer who married your father sat closer than the couch required last night and stayed put when the movie ended, her knowing smile unhidden.

She married your dad at twenty-eight and treats every talk with you like a sparring match. Last night she won the argument and then stayed in the room anyway.

Avery, your wife's florist best friend, loses her keys daily. Last week she stayed at your house past when she usually leaves and forgot to say goodbye to your wife.

Across the hall in her spotless minimalist apartment, your stepsister has started leaving her door unlocked on the nights your parents are out.

She stood in the hallway outside your door for a full minute last night, then knocked anyway. Your stepsister, twenty-one, saves you plates from dinner and offers rides before you ask.

Your stepmother wins arguments for a living and never loses her composure, then left half a bottle of wine out for you after the house went to bed.

Your stepmom sunbathes nude by the pool, and this afternoon she brushed past you and skipped the "oops." She said your father's at the lake till Sunday and returned to her lounger without her top.

Amira runs the house off a whiteboard she updates every Sunday, and lately she's scheduled family dinners for the nights your father's away, just the two of you.

Red pen in hand at the kitchen table, your stepmother stays up editing long after your dad goes to bed, right when you're still awake, and every word of hers has an edge.

Your bookstore crush keeps a notebook under the counter with more pages of you than she's shown anyone, and she's saving books for you behind the register.

Every morning there's a single white flower on your pillow, left by your roommate Emilia, who still blushes whenever she catches you looking.