Over the years, this man had counseled me on everything from eating disorders to shopping addictions. My entire childhood had been spent digging into my inner core, learning why I behaved as I did.

Maybe that was why I was so screwed up.

A pretty woman in her mid-twenties occupied the room's only other recliner. She, too, was reading a book and didn't notice the new arrivals. I gave her a once-over and frowned. Red curls framed her round, pleasant face. Her brown eyes tilted upward and her lips were small and shaped like Betty Boop's. She wore a fitted pink T-shirt and red-striped pants.

Could this be Jonathan's new love interest? Was he screwing around with a woman less than half his age? My frown became a hot scowl. How dare he bring her into my mom's house? How dare he! He was probably trying to pass the redheaded Boop impersonator off as a "friend." I'd met a parade of Richard's friends, aka whores, tramps and sluts.

"Hello, Jonathan," I said, both words measured carefully. Cheating bastard. Rot in hell!

He glanced up from his book and smiled, completely unaware of the fact that I was planning his death in my head.

"Naomi. So good of you to come." He placed his pipe in the ashtray, smoke wafting around him like a misty cloud. "You'll be happy to know I've been studying primitive mating rituals, hoping to help you with your problem."

Mel snorted, and I had to pinch her arm to keep her from saying anything.

"What problem?" I asked.

He didn't answer. "I see you've brought the twins," he said, brightening. "Excellent. Excellent. I'm sure this will be beneficial for everyone."

"Who's your friend?" I motioned to the redhead with a tilt of my chin. I didn't mean to sound so rude, but my blood pressure had escalated several more points.

The woman in question stood and held out her hand to shake. "Hi, I'm Jennifer. Jonathan and Gloria's neighbor."

Neighbor… was that the word for "whoring tramp" nowadays? "So nice to meet you," I ground out. I didn't take her hand.

She blinked over at me, obviously startled by my seemingly unwarranted ambivalence. "Nice to meet you, as well."

"I'm Kera." Kera shot me a what's-wrong-with-you frown before reaching out and clasping Jennifer's hand in a friendly shake. "And this is my sister, Melody. Everyone calls her Mel."

"Jennifer is joining us for the session," Jonathan said. "I thought it would do her some good, too."

I just bet you did, I thought darkly.

Mel, Kera and I settled on the couch. My mom eased onto the armrest beside Jonathan. Jennifer began to reclaim her chair, but Jonathan said, "No, no, Jennifer. You sit beside Naomi."

I tensed, not wanting the tramp anywhere near me.

"I'm fine here," she said, casting a wary glance in my direction.

"To the couch." Jonathan pointed.

I scooted over to make room and Jennifer obligingly sat down. She smelled good, like roses and baby's breath. I made a mental note to hate that scent for the rest of my life, as well as to check Jonathan's laundry for any hint of roses.

"I can feel everyone's eagerness." Jonathan rubbed his hands together in a show of delight. He lived for this shit. "That's the first step toward recovery, you know."

What were we trying to recover from? Being related to cheating male whores?

Get a hold of the bitterness, Naomi. There'll be time, enough for that later. I pasted a fake smile on my face. In the past I'd always put up with these therapy sessions because they made Jonathan happy. He'd done his best to make me feel loved, so I'd done the same for him. Now, today, I only wanted it over.

Using a remote control, Jonathan turned on the stereo. Soft new-age music floated and hummed from the speakers.

Kera rolled her eyes at me and I shrugged.

"Now then, girls," he said. "I want you to relax."

Like that was possible. My bones and muscles felt tight and strung out, brittle, ready to break.

"Close your eyes." He was using his I-am-in-a-happy-place voice. "That's right. Relax. Find your meadow of happiness. Melody, close your eyes please. Good girl. Naomi, you, too."

Though we'd all endured many therapy sessions over the years, I guess none of us had realized that failure to do as Jonathan wanted only prolonged the experience.

"Really, Gloria," Jonathan suddenly sighed. "You're casting shadows over my notes."

"Oh, goodness. I'm sorry." My mom moved to stand in the corner.

I watched the whole thing through slitted eyelids and came close to launching myself across the room and bitch-slapping the man. No one told my mom to get out of their way! This was not a normal interaction between my mom and Jonathan. He was acting strangely, just like my mom had said, and I didn't like it.

One point in Royce's favor was he'd never spoken to me so dismissively, as if I were a pesky fly to be swatted away. Still, the man liked leggy brunettes, and that made him just as bad as Johnnie.

"Better," Jonathan said. "Now, where were we? Close your eyes… check. Meadow of happiness… yes, there." Once again his voice went soft. He sounded like an idiot when he did that. "Imagine yourself in a meadow. A lush, green meadow swaying with wildflowers and lit by sunshine."

Kera squeezed my knee.

Mel smothered a chuckle.

Jennifer had yet to move. In fact, I barely heard her breathing.

"While you're in this safe, happy place, I want you to consider my next words. Picture them, even. Relationships are like maps. When you first meet someone new, you set a course for yourself."

Yada, yada, yada.

He continued. "Sometimes, the wind will blow you off course. But that doesn't mean your map is useless. That just means you need to readjust your route. Do you girls understand what I'm trying to tell you?"

"I do," my mom said, her voice hard.

"Not you, Gloria."

I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from snapping the man's head off.

"Girls, do you understand?"

I nodded stiffly and nudged Kera and Mel. They, too, nodded.

"Good. Now it's time to picture the man-not the woman- you plan to marry."

How subtle.

"Remember, no choice is wrong." He cleared his throat. "Who do you see, Kera?"

She glanced to me, her expression saying, Do I really have to answer?

Again I nodded.

"I see someone I love dearly," she said. "But I can't make out a face clearly."

"That's okay. At least you know your map is going to lead you to love. And you, Melody? Who do you see?"

"Actually, I see four men."

"Four?" he gasped out.

"One for every divorce."

"Perhaps we need to readjust your map." He uttered a nervous chuckle. "I'll work with you privately on that." Now he turned his attention to me. "And who do you see, Naomi?"

At that point, I decided I'd had enough. I wasn't in the mood to convince my stepfather that I liked men.

"Well, Naomi?" he persisted.

"I see Jennifer," I told him. "I've been hot for her since I walked into this room." With that, I leaned over and planted the woman a big one.

Surprisingly, she responded.

"How was I supposed to know Jennifer's gay?" I whispered fiercely.

Kera, Mel and I were in the kitchen, supposedly preparing everyone a drink. The therapy session was over and it was now social hour.

"Did you see the look on Dr. Johnnie's face?" Mel asked, laughing. "That was priceless."

"Yeah, come here and kiss me, lover girl." Kera puckered up.

I covered my face with my hands. Guilt hovered over my shoulder for the way I'd glared and snarled at Jennifer, thinking she was Jonathan's secret lover. "What else was I supposed to do?"

"I don't know, but I'm ready to sign up for the next therapy session he wants to give us," Mel said. "I've never laughed so hard. Maybe next time he'll tell me a man's penis is like a flute. Blow it hard enough and you'll make music."