I am at a baby shower. I arrived late because I had to deal with the children.

“So how many children do you have?” says a smiling and interested mother whom I have been getting along really well with.

“I have two step sons.”

“Ohhhh,” says the smiling mother, voice trailing off.

Five minutes later the group of ladies I am with have turned from me and are talking in a huddle. I am on the outer. Why? Because I used that word, that damn word… ‘step’....