My CEO Stepdaddy

Dan

It's been a month since Daddy and I had our talk. It’s been a stressful one at that. Mom has been getting really cozy with her boyfriend. Cozy enough that I know his name is Dan. She has been letting me go to the beach more so she can have the house alone with him. I told Daddy, but he needs to catch her without it looking like I told on her.

The only time Daddy comes over now is for dinner, and all they do is fight.

I am making a special dinner today, lasagna and chocolate cake for dessert. Mom is on her period, and she is acting like a raging b****. I thought that having her favorite food followed by chocolate might help her mood. Daddy and I haven't had almost any alone time this month, only when he takes his lunch breaks down at the beach with me. I really hope we get some real alone time soon because I just got off my period, and my hormones are acting up.

Daddy is walking in now.

"Hi Ross, mom made a really nice lasagna and chocolate cake."

"Well, your mom is the best cook I know."

"Thank you, Ross." My mom says

We all take a seat at the table, and she serves us. Most dinners start like this. Then someone gets mad for no good reason.

"Edith, I was thinking about having you play your violin for our wedding party. Do you mind playing it for Ross?"

"Right now?"

"Yeah."

"Okay!"

I get my violin and stand where they both can see me.

I don't say anything. I just begin playing. I chose to play (I can't help falling in love)

By the end of the song, I look at Ross. He has an expression that looks so loving.

"You have to play that at our party."

"See, I told you she was good. She gets her talent from me."

"Edith, we should record you during the wedding and send it in with your college application. "

" Ross, we agreed that we weren’t going to pay for her to go."

"Well, I got her a job with me. She will earn her own money. The college is only 40 minutes from my house she can save on living costs by staying with us."

Mom drinks the last of her wine in her glass and pours another one.

"Looks like you thought of everything. Only I want her home in time to help with dinner."

"That can be done."

"FINE!" She about yells and drinks down her next glass of wine.

"Ross, what will I be doing."

"Just secretary work."

"HA! You think she will be any good at that she has no experience." Mom says over us. She is right, though I never had a job.

"It's answering phones and making coffee. I think she will be just fine."

"What if she brings your business down or embarrasses you?"

"I think I will take my chances."

I walk away and go to my room. I can’t stand to hear them fight anymore. It's worse now because it's about me. I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling.

My door opens, and it's Ross.

"Tomorrow we go shopping to get you work clothes."

"I still get to work with you?"

"Even if I have to come get you myself."

"Thank you, Daddy." I say a little low.

"Goodnight, princess." He leaves me smiling again.

I am going to have a job and it's with Daddy. I wonder how close we will work together. I hear the front door close loudly. Yikes, that's not good. Then I hear glass shattering, so I get up and run out to the kitchen.

Mom's wine glass is broken all over the floor.

"What happened?"

"You think you are going to get him on your side so you can leave me?"

"What? No! I just want to go to college, mom, and become a music teacher. I won't be gone forever."

"I gave you ten years of my life. I expect to get the same from you."

"You have gotten the same from me. I have waited on you hand and foot the entire time."

She slaps me across the face so hard I fall. My face hurts, including my teeth. I look up at her, and she looks shocked. She has never hit me before.

"It's your fault this happened. You just make me so mad."

I get off of the floor and run to my room.

"Don’t bother coming out! I am keeping the keys to the car, too. Let's see how you get to work now!" She yells from the hallway. I lock the door and stick a chair up on the doorknob. I don't want her to get in no matter what. I look at my face, and it's bad. I watch as tears run down my red cheek. This was supposed to be a good day.