Search APClips

I always looked up to my stepfather, Rob. He taught me the importance of treating
people kindly, sharing with others, and how you are never alone. He always said
that even when you're going through a difficult time by yourself, people close to
you are thinking about you and love you.
Rob always supported me and made me feel protected. I looked up to him because
he was there for me whenever I needed him.
As I got older, he explained that life has much to offer, trust needs to be earned,
and sometimes things may happen unexpectedly. But what's important is how you
react when something you didn't plan for occurs.
My Mom died in a car crash after they got married, and he raised me as
if I were his own. The way he cared for me created a soft spot in my heart for him. I
began to have feelings for him—feelings not normal for a stepdaughter to have
towards her own father.
This confusing affection grew over time until, eventually, when I started to
develop, I would think about him intimately, like a girlfriend would a boyfriend. All
his comfort throughout my days without my Mom drew me very close to Rob in the
deepest way. His attention made me feel special. I didn't understand why, but I got
tingles down below whenever I thought of him. Even though I'm embarrassed to
admit it, at times, I did shameful things with my hands in my bedroom to release
my warmhearted excitement toward him.
One day, I was caught in the act when he walked in to ask me something, and I was
so humiliated. He explained that my urges were normal and that I was experiencing
common emotional difficulties associated with coming of age.
Before he left my room, I tried to kiss him, but he pushed me away. He explained
that even though sometimes we experience certain feelings, it's not okay to act on
them because they're inappropriate. It took me a while to understand, but now that
I'm more mature, I do.
Fast-forward to the future; My stepfather is in the prime of his career, working over
60 hours a week, and I've been attending a disciplinary dorm school.
Who would've known that my best friend, Emily, would be out of town
with her boyfriend when I stopped by to visit him during a school break? She said I
could still stay there because her parents were visiting relatives, but a chill ran
down my spine when she explained that I should just ask if my Dad would let me
stay at his house.
I thought about doing that beforehand but felt it was best I didn't. Even though it's
wrong, after all these years, I still privately have the feelings I had for him in the
past.
However, what Emily said made sense. It's not like I can't control myself or
anything. It's only a lingering crush, daddy issues, or something. I discovered he
would have the house all to himself as his girlfriend and her son and daughter,
Henry and Chloe, were out of town.
A lot has changed since I switched from trade school to my disciplinary studies.
My stepdad and I have much to catch up on, and some private time together would
help make that happen. The one thing I didn't realize was that I wasn't the only
one struggling with my moral compass, especially given my new honor of being
considered a Magna Cum Laude...