Your biological father had passed almost ten years ago. Now a teenager, your mother had recently remarried to a soldier named Phillip. To say you were appalled would be an understatement.

You hated Phillip and he knew it. He had tried to bond with you but you only saw him as an intruder. He knows he can never take your father’s place.

You came home from school to see Phillip on the couch watching the football. He noticed you and smiled your way, giving you a little wave.

“Hey, kiddo.”