‘Johanna’

Opening the window I carefully jumped in with ease.

I sprawled on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

My mom is seeing someone.

I mean, it’s not a bad thing; she deserves happiness, she really does.

But so soon?

I don’t want some man coming up here and playing Daddy. Dad isn’t even gone for a year and she’s already spending nights in hotels.

Gosh, what happens if they get married? I’ll have to deal with the man for all eternity. I’ll just have to move out. But that’s not the worst part.

He’ll be sitting in Dad’s chair, sleeping in his bed, drinking from his favorite cup and…I cringed, calling me daughter.

What if he has kids? I cringed yet again. I’ll have step-siblings. My younger siblings are enough to deal with, but others? That’s like hell. I’ll never get time to myself. My social would be ruined. Ruined, I tell you. Gone with the wind, dead and gone.

And imagine if I was walking with her and she had a big bump and everything. People would be looking at her and wondering what she’d been up to.

And what if he’s the male version of Cinderella’s stepmother? I know I’m overthinking but a stepdad?

I wish I’d seen his face.

I steal a glance at my watch and it’s 4:59.

Great just a minute until my alarm rings.

Reluctantly I drag myself to the bathroom.