Rule #9 Read Online Free Page B

million years believe you would write that. Only Natalie would.” I think about the differences between my friends and me. “Alicia doesn’t have kids. But she does come with a father who is old and likes to talk. Not sure which is worse, kids or instant wanna-be grandpa. All I know is, I don’t have to babysit kids. I’m not babysitting the old man either.”
    “He probably uses those grown-up diapers,” Natalie says.
    “That’s nasty.” I push Natalie.
    “He was really nice,” Vianna says.
    “‘Number Five.’” Natalie grabs the composition tablet. “‘Will you pout if your husband talks to his children without you around?’”
    “Why would they do that?” I ask.
    Natalie looks at me like I’m stupid. “Because our fathers shouldn’t even consider talking to us without their wives around? They need to know what everyone is saying at all times. Because what if we’re talking about them? Because you know it’s all about the wives. Our dads can’t love us more than them.”
    “I swear I’ll disown my father for good. I had to deal with that crap when he was with his ex-girlfriend.” I say. “I didn’t think the stepmom would be the same. Girlfriends and stepmoms should be different, don’t you think?”
    Natalie and Vianna eyes widen. I never talk about her .
    “Don’t get too excited. I will not spend another minute discussing… her . I will say that I won’t put up with another whiny hag ever again.”
    “You don’t know whiny hags,” Natalie says.
    Vianna turns to Natalie. “If Alicia is anything like our father’s wives, she will. But I think you have a chance of being the lucky one.”
    Natalie keeps the book. She rolls her eyes and says, “‘Number Six: Will you make sure his children don’t feel welcome in your home, especially if this was the home they grew up in?’” This time Natalie doesn’t wait even a second for us to answer. “‘I vow to move their belongings out of the room that they once occupied and turn it into either:
    “‘a.) A baby’s room for my baby
    “‘b.) A study for me
    “‘c.) A workout room for me, or
    “‘d.) A storage area for my things.
    “‘This is my house now. Not their mother’s. It’s all about me, me, me.’”
    “Thank God my mom kept the house and my father moved out, is all I have to say.” I look over Natalie’s shoulder at the list. I wonder when my new stepmother (I hate calling her this) will join this group of women. Alicia at the present time remains childless, but she’ll probably take that task on first. Take Dad off to the beaches of Hawaii for a little romance and to produce their precious little spawn.
    “I can’t believe Alicia asked me to join them the second week of their trip.” I doodle on the list we’ve created. “I’d love to see Hawaii, but I there’s no way I’m tagging along on their honeymoon. What kind of woman wants to take her stepdaughter on any part of her honeymoon? That’s creepy.”
    “That bitch just did that to get on your dad’s good side.” Natalie says.
    “Alicia doesn’t need to get on his good side. One, she’s all he talks about. He calls her at least five times a day. I’ve watched him do it. And two, he doesn’t care about me.” My father calls Alicia to say he loves her, or to see how her day is, or to share his day. It’s really quite gross. And I can’t remember the last time he called me.
    Natalie’s still plotting to get me to go. “I still say you should’ve said yes. Maybe you can still get them to fly you over there.”
    “Um,” I pause. “Not just no—but hell no.”
    “Maybe she’s trying to be nice?” Vianna’s always looking for the bright side of things when it doesn’t involve her stepmom.
    “Oh, yeah? Like when your stepmom took you out to get your hair done? That was jacked up.” Natalie says.
    Vianna’s stepmom Wendy took her to a cheap salon. They fried Vianna’s hair. Wendy acted like she was taking her stepdaughter out for the