My New Stepmother

First, I need to tell you what an absolute raging arsehole my stepmother was.

She has kids from a previous marriage. Bradleigh and Esmay can do no wrong.

Jonathan, Jessica, and I had a strict curfew, and equally strict rules around bedtime and lights-out. Her kids come home and go to bed whenever.

I couldn't get down from the dinner table without asking to be excused. She wouldn't excuse me until my plate was empty. I had to have a bit of everything. "There's no such thing as I Don't Like," she'd say. Even if it made me feel sick, I had to force it down. And she was a crap cook.

The same rules didn't apply to her darlings. She'd leave off foods they didn't like. They could get down whenever they wanted, and eat junk food after I'd gone to bed. We weren't allowed junk food.

She gave me so many chores, I never had chance to do homework. She didn't hit, but she'd yell, scream, throw things.

If I wanted something, she'd say No. She seemed to enjoy lording over me and blocking every bit of joy and relaxation from my life.

Two days ago, when I came home from school, a waft of fresh cookies hit me when I opened the door. That was weird. She didn't bake. Shop-bought snacks only. I sloped past her, hoping to avoid notice.

"Hey!" Her eyes widened. "Don't you want one?"

Really? Cookies before dinner?!

They did look good.

"Just one!" She winked. "Dinner soon!"

I took one, dazed.

"Any homework?" She lifted another cookie off the baking sheet with a spatula.

"Y-yes."

"I know it can be a bore," she said, in a sympathetic voice I'd never heard her use towards me, "But it is better to get it done straight away. Do you need any help? You can use the dining table, just make sure it's cleared by six."

Is she taking the piss?

At dinner, she scolded her own kids for getting down without asking.

"Uhhhh," Bradleigh stammered, "Can I be exc-"

"No," Her voice was sharp. "You can wait for everyone to finish. That's polite."

That's when I realised.

That's an alien.

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Word count: 366

(NB. This excludes the title, subtitle, and author's note.)

Submitted on Thursday 7th November

Quick Author's Note

A Year of Stories: I'm writing (and submitting, here) a story every day this year. This continues my 312 (!!!) daily micro-fiction story streak since 1st January.

ONLY FIFTY-FOUR DAYS TO GO!

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and I am extremely grateful for your ongoing support.

Thank you to those who leave feedback/comments.

I am still plodding away, catching up on reads. Where I'm already up to date with all someone's stories, I read someone else's in lieu!

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

Here's my latest dollar challenge. I think you might love it:

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Thank you again!