DEAR ABBY: I am a 13-year-old girl. I live with my father and stepmother, "Nicki." They have been married for two years. The first year was a little bumpy. Nicki made me see a therapist because she went through my backpack and found a fake suicide note I had written as a joke. Therapy made me sad, so I stopped going.
Ever since then, Nicki has tried hard to play "Mom." She acts like my real mother is dead. Every time I talk about my mom, Nicki gets irritated.
About four months ago, she blew her top and kicked my father and me out of the house. We had to spend the night in a motel. My father and Nicki made up, but since then, things have been very strained. Every once in a while, my father reports to me that Nicki "has cried her eyes out" because she thinks I don't like her.
Abby, I don't want to hurt Nicki, but she's not the only one with feelings. I have been hurt ever since she kicked us out. I don't know what to do. It seems like whenever I do something she doesn't like, she acts hurt. I feel trapped. Please help. -- CONFUSED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
DEAR CONFUSED: If ever a blended family needed counseling, it is your family. Please clip this column, show it to your father and tell him that you are the author. Professional counseling should help resolve not only many of your problems, but Nicki's as well.