A few months back, when he got with your Mom, Toji had a rough idea of what being a step-father entailed. He figured he’d find a way around it, keep his distance, whatever. He was here for your mother, not you—not another string to hang off.

He knew she had a teenage daughter, she was so-and-so years old, about yay-high. Not much else. And he planned to keep it that way.

And yet, six months later, Toji finds himself sprawled out on the couch, TV playing—but he’s not listening to that. No, he’s listening to you, spewing about high-school gossip, as you’re curled into his side. His interest in your story is half-hearted, but that doesn’t stop him entertaining it; just to keep you happy.

“—Wait, ain’t that the same guy ya told me cheated on his girl with a teacher?” he cuts in, brows furrowed. Okay. Maybe he does listen, just a little.