"I'm Jealous of My Stepdaughter"

Her Turn, continued

"I grew up in a suburb of Boston. I was an only child and fairly shy. I was close to my mother, a homemaker, and though I adored my father, a lawyer, he kept his distance from Mom and me. My mother used to get angry with him and stay angry for days, but I never actually saw them fight. I was shocked when, at age 15, Dad told me they were getting divorced. I blamed Mom for pushing him away. When Dad remarried, I went to live with him. 

"Those were the years from hell. I was never a priority. My stepmother hated me and turned my dad against me so he'd focus on her and her own son. My real mom and I seldom spoke. I felt completely abandoned. Dad didn't care if I went to college, so after high school, I moved into my own place and found a job nearby. Eventually, I reconciled with Mom. But I haven't spoken to Dad in 20 years. 

"I met Kevin via a personal ad online. We agreed to meet for a drink, and we just clicked. He was so sweet and seemed so sensitive, I couldn't help falling in love.

"Now we bicker constantly. I don't know why I get so angry. Maybe because I'm tired of catering to him and his family. And I don't appreciate being told that I'm selfish when I try to talk about my own feelings or problems. Recently, I was promoted at work, but that meant moving to another division where I know no one. I was upset about it, and when I told Kevin, all he could say was, 'You shouldn't be upset. You got a better job.' That's not the point.

"Kevin suggested we come for counseling, and I finally agreed. I don't expect to be first on his list all the time, but I hate always being last.