Stepdad

She hates when he calls her Constance

Created on Midjourney

Connie had been staying with Aunt June for a week. She didn’t love it there, but it was better than home, living with Dad and his partner. The doorbell rang and she said, “Ill get it.”

She opened the door to find Gerry standing outside. “Great. What the hell are you doing here?”

“Constance,” Gerry began.

She hated when he called her that. It always meant he was about to go off on her.  Well, she didn’t have to take it anymore. “Gerald,” she said, noting his wince with satisfaction.

“I deserved that,” Gerry said, looking what? Nervous? Why would he be nervous. “Look, I want you to come home. Please.” The please sounded like he had to force it out.

“Did Dad threaten to throw you out or something?” Why else would Gerry have bothered to come here? He had won. He had Connie’s father all to himself now.

“No. He doesn’t even know I’m here. Look, I know I messed up. I get nervous around you. And when I’m nervous, well, I tend to compensate by being a little…”

“Aggressive?” Connie finished for him.

“Yeah. I’m sorry. I just wanted to be a good parent, and I don’t know anything about raising teenage girls.”

“You’re not my parent,” Connie snapped.

“I know I’m not. Look, I never wanted to replace your mom. I just wanted to fit in somewhere. I’m sorry.”

“You already said that.” Connie frowned at him, but this really wasn’t the Gerry she thought she knew. “Dad really didn’t put you up to coming over?”

“No. He doesn’t know I’m here. I wanted to try to work things out with you on my own. Like I said, I messed up. How about we try to find a way to be friends? I’ll stop trying to be a parent, and we’ll start again.”

Connie considered. “We could try. But you’re really sure Dad didn’t put you up to this?”

“I’m sure,” Gerry said, looking hopeful and maybe a little less nervous.

“Okay,” Connie said, turning to look at someone in the living room. “You might as well come in.”

The look on Gerry’s face was priceless as he saw Connie’s dad, Mike sitting on the sofa. “I thought you were at work.”

“I thought the same about you. Looks like we both had the same idea.”

“Yeah, Connie said. Dad was just trying to explain to me all that stuff you just told me. It wouldn’t have made me come home, though. Not without hearing it from you.”

Gerry’s eyes shifted back and forth between Connie and her father. The guy really did look nervous. How had Connie not noticed before? “So now what?” he asked.

“Now you two take me out for ice cream,” Connie said. “Wait while I get my stuff.

“It’s almost dinner time,” her dad said. “We’re not going for ice cream now.”

Gerry grinned at Connie, then said, “Yes we are.”

“You’re supposed to be on my side,” Dad complained.

“Not anymore,” Gerry answered, his grin growing even wider. “I’m Connie’s friend. And right now, I’m on hers.”

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This story was fun to write. For some reason, the words “She hated it when he called her Constance” flashed through my mind and I immediately felt this was a kernel for a story. Why would someone hate that?

I’ve heard many people say they hate it when someone, usually a parent or spouse, uses their full given name because it means they’re in trouble. It wasn’t too great a leap from this to a teenage girl confronting a stepparent. I hope you like the result of this flash of inspiration.