My stepdaughter is driving me crazy (part 15)

It’s later in the afternoon. I’m still feeling turned on by what I witnessed in the afternoon by the pool between my stepdaughter Nadine and her mother Katia. It was so hot! I’m getting a call back from the aircon service. It’s going to take a while till they can fix the aircon in my stepdaughter’s room. They say they’re short-staffed. I’m passing the info on to Katia. She replies: “That’s a bummer! It’s still scorching outside. It’s going to be another hot night. What shall we do?” “Yeah this really sucks” I’m hearing myself say. It is partly true. I’m still not sure if Katia knows about Nadine and me. If Nadine spends another night with us, who knows what she’ll be up to! And the last thing I want is to get caught by Katia. It could be my downfall. I’m continuing: “I’m not sure what to do. It is kind of inappropriate for her to share the bed with us, isn’t it?” “It’s unusual, yes, but I’m not really bothered by it. It’s an emergency situation. It’s just temporary anyway.” Katia’s tone is casual. I still can’t read her with certainty. Is she enabling Nadine to get close to me and close to her? Or is she in the dark? Just an unsuspecting caring mother who thinks there’s nothing unusual going on between her daughter and me? “I can’t really come up with another solution” is all I manage to say. A few moments pass. Katia is staring into the void. Eventually she says: “Me neither. I guess we can allow it for another night? It’s just momentary.” “Alrighty then. I’m sure we’ll come up with a better arrangement soon.”

The evening has come. Katia, Nadine and me are sitting on the sofa. Katia in the corner, Nadine is sitting in front of her mom, leaning back onto her. Katia’s hand rests on her daughter’s thigh. We’re streaming a TV show. We’re laughing sometimes. I’m happy. Katia has been spending more time at home recently and I’m feeling that we are reconnecting. We almost appear like a normal family. I’m moving closer to them and put my arm around Katia. She smiles at me and I smile back. A warm feeling of contentment is spreading throughout my body. I’m enjoying this!

The episode ends. “Another one?” I’m looking at the girls. Katia stretches her arms behind her head: “Lying in the hot sun by the pool today has taken it out of me! I’m gonna get ready for bed.” “Ok.” Katia is making her way towards the stairs which lead up to the bedroom. “What about you Nadine? Wanna watch that other series? We’ve already seen a few episodes?” “Yeah why n–“ Nadine suddenly stops. She’s looking past me. Is she looking at her mom going upstairs? A few short moments pass. She’s looking back at me now. “On second thought… I’m pretty tired too. I better go to bed early too.” “Ok honey, no problem. I’ll watch another episode and then I’ll join you.” “Sure Frank.