I go downstairs and see my beautiful step-mother washing the dishes, the sun shining through her blonde hair makes her glow like an angel. I shake off the thought of how stunning she is, I have to get to the bottom of this. “My Dad wouldn’t have gone in my room, would he?”
Cherie turns around, she’s wearing a dress, she never wears dresses to do the housekeeping. “No, he knows how you like your privacy”
“and you..?
“Well yes.. but only to vacuum and clean your windows. I know you don’t want anyone in your room sweetheart but I’ve asked you to clean your windows three times now. If the neighbors see we have filthy windows what do you suppose they will think?”
I feel myself cringe. She’s always thinking of “what others will think,” it drives me nuts, fucking nuts. Why did I move back in?
Cherie continues , “it’s a reflection of my housekeeping, baby, and I will not have Mrs. Snider thinking I am a lazy woman. You know how judgmental the Sniders are, the last time she came over she looked around commented on the breadcrumbs on the toaster, and told me cleanliness is Godliness”
I try not to roll my eyes. I have to make sure she sees me as an adult. I puff my chest out and begin to lay down the law, “I appreciate you guys letting me stay back home until I get back on my feet, really I do, but I have to ask that you give me my own space.”
“C’mon baby.. you’re 23 years old now. What could possibly be going on in your room that you need to keep secret? Are you up to something that we would disapprove of?
I fold my arms, this woman is guilty as sin, “I think someone opened up my laptop.”
She looks away and swallows. That’s it, I know she did it. I lean forward and ask, “did you open up my laptop?”
Cherie nods, “I may have.. but not to snoop on you or anything. I just wanted to… ” she hesitates and looks up to the ceiling, as if the lie will fall down on top of her,”shop online at Lavish Lady. I knew your father would disapprove. I couldn’t figure out how to erase the history on our machine so I used yours.”
“So you opened up my computer and shopped at Lavish Lady? That was it?” My phone began to buzz, it’s my partner. I didn’t realize the time had passed and here I am fighting with my step-mother. Yeah, this is just like old times. I tell her we’ll finish the conversation later.
The next day I come home from work. I walk up the stairs and see Cherie with her hand in her shorts, her face looks as if she is in ecstasy, her nipples are hard through her cotton Summer top. “Busted!”
