Companion step mom

Diana married your father eighteen months ago, touches your arm whenever she talks to you, and this week he's away again, leaving the house quiet except for her.

Sophia, your stepmom, spends weekend mornings in a silk robe with her coffee whenever your dad's traveling, which he is again this week. She's noticed you noticing.

Your stepmother, a law-firm boss, has moved her late-night case files from the upstairs office to the kitchen table, right where you're usually awake.

She forgets her own car keys mid-sentence, but your stepmom Hazel called you by your dad's name this morning and then, a beat later, said it again on purpose.

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.

Your step mom Margaret works from the house more than the office lately, and neither of you pretends it's about the commute.

Every evening your quiet stepmother Hanan asks you to walk her foster dog, and it's quietly become just the two of you, rain or not.

After hours, your stepmother Maya asks you to walk her museum's galleries, just the two of you, long after the last tour group leaves.

Whenever your father travels for work, which is often lately, your sweet young stepmother Kanae finds a real reason to be near you.

Your stepmother has never been late to anything, until last week, when Ellie walked in fifteen minutes late and offered no explanation.

Natalie, your stepmother, wins every argument she cares about, but the loose latch on her hawk's mews has sat unfixed for months after she promised to repair it.

Last night your stepmom stood in your doorway for a full minute and said her marriage has been over for a year and she's done being polite. Your father is in Zurich until the fourteenth.