Like Mother, Like Daughter

Marlene was buzzing around the living room like a bird on speed, plumping pillows and lining up the knickknacks. Tom slipped up behind her and laid his hands on her shoulders. "Breathe, baby," he said. "Sit." He steered her to the window seat, took both her hands, and eased her down. She couldn't stop worrying. This weekend was her shot at fixing things with Alyssa, and she was terrified she'd blow it. Tom told her the girl wouldn't have shown if she wasn't ready to bury the hatchet. Marlene sighed, touched his cheek, and admitted she was glad he hadn't bailed. He kissed her knuckles and promised he'd stay by her side. A car rolled up the drive. Marlene tensed. Tom gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. Outside, Alyssa stepped out, bag in hand, sunglasses hiding any expression. She gave the big house one cold once-over, then closed the door and the car left. Marlene headed for the front door, twisting her hands. Tom followed. "Alyssa, honey," Marlene said, arms open. "Thank you for coming. It's been too long." Alyssa stopped just out of reach. "Hello, stepmother," she answered, voice flat. She glanced past Marlene at Tom. "You must be the boyfriend." He introduced himself and stuck out his hand. Alyssa dropped her bag into Marlene's arms without looking and shook Tom's instead. He said Marlene talked about her nonstop and he'd been looking forward to meeting her. When she took her sunglasses off he blinked. "You two really do look alike." Alyssa smirked. "That's the only thing we have in common." Tom tried to smooth it over; she cut him short, slid her shades into his shirt pocket, and strolled past him into the house. "Coming, stepmother?" Marlene shot Tom a worried look. He rubbed her back, but his smile was shaky. "She's eighteen," he whispered. "Teenagers are dicks. She came, right?" He winked and headed inside. Marlene took a long breath, then followed. Later, Marlene carried warm cookies to the table. Alyssa barely glanced up from her laptop. She looked around the house and said it must've paid off when Marlene ran after their dad died. Marlene sat, voice shaking, and tried to explain. Grief had messed her up; she'd thought the kids would be better off with their real mom. It was wrong, she knew that now, and she was sorry. Alyssa stared, then reached out—only to snatch a cookie and smirk. "Thanks, stepmom," she said, then walked off. Tom found Marlene in the kitchen scrubbing invisible spots. He started to say Alyssa picked dinner, then saw her face. She leaned into his hug and admitted nothing was working. Alyssa kept shutting her down. Tom said maybe it was still too soon, that Marlene just needed patience. She brightened and asked if he'd try talking to Alyssa instead. He hesitated, then caved. He found Alyssa on her bed, headphones in. He nudged her foot. She pulled them out, sat up on her knees, legs spread toward him. "Fire away," she purred. Tom said he'd encouraged her to come so she and Marlene could fix things. Alyssa crawled closer, tracing his arm. She hadn't come for Marlene—she'd come for him. She'd seen their photos and figured a guy like Tom needed taking care of. Tom swatted her hand away, but she kept going, unbuttoning her blouse. He told her to stop. She pointed at the bulge in his jeans and laughed. He jumped off the bed, ready to leave. She threatened to keep acting out all weekend unless he made her behave. When she moaned loud enough for the whole house to hear, he panicked, clamped a hand over her mouth, then kissed her hard to shut her up. They fucked, Tom trying to keep her quiet and losing that battle fast. He got too lost in it to care how loud they were until the door flew open. Marlene stood frozen. "Tom?" she whispered. Alyssa grinned from under him. "Looks like he picked the daughter." Tom tried to explain, but Alyssa kept taunting. Marlene just stared. Finally she sat on the edge of the bed, voice empty. "Keep fucking her." Tom blinked. "What?" Marlene's eyes were wet. "Just do it." Alyssa rolled her hips and Tom groaned despite himself. Marlene didn't look away. Alyssa laughed and kept moving, and Tom couldn't stop.