Alone With My: New Stepmom Updated

Sometimes a simple, "I’m still getting used to the new house setup, how about you?" can lower the tension. Find "neutral" common ground:

“Every day,” I say. My voice cracks on the second word. “But not the way I used to. Now I miss the idea of her. The mother who made pancakes on Sundays. Not the real one who forgot my birthday last year.”