The illusion of the step "family"

(Tristan looking over my shoulder at the computer screen... yet again).
Me: Are you reading over my shoulder again?
Tristan: (nods)
Me: Is there anything on the computer for you?
Tristan: (shakes his head)
Me: Are you supposed to be reading over my shoulder at the computer?
Tristan: (shakes his head)
Me: Is this proof that you don't listen to a word I say?
Tristan: ... (no response)
Me: (nodding my head) Yes.

This is a typical exchange between my stepson and me. This is pretty much the only time I talk to him, because he's never home. When he is home, he's usually being scolded. He has the memory of a goldfish, and I swear to you that he could not care less whether I live or die, so long as he gets food. I really feel like he purposely does things to get under my skin. Why else would he do the same thing over and over?

I don't know what else to do with/about this child. Discipline? Has no effect. Scolding. Same. Spanking, time out, grounding, removing privileges, positive reinforcement: No effect whatsoever. I'm so sick of giving my all to a child who thinks I'm dirt. I'm sick of having to clean up his mother's messes with increasing frequency. I knew this was going to be hard, but DAMN. Where is the break for this girl? At least Terry has the benefit of always having the child's love. I don't even have that. The bottom line is that Tristan can choose to care about be because of those four little letters in the beginning of my title--"s-t-e-p". Step-mom. That's my title. And the step part allows him to completely disregard any-and everything that I do or don't do or say. Stacia said earlier today that someone needs to write a book about step families telling the truth (agreed). None of this mamby-pamby business about how it can be a harmonious life and how everyone can get along peaceably. I CALL BULLSHIT! Seriously, whoever wrote those books was living in a fucking dream world. Or smoking something fabulous. If it is the latter, I think I deserve a free sample purely on the basis that I actually spent money on their bullshit lies. So, Stacia: whenever you're ready, I'm down to be a contributor in the book. Maybe writing a book will prevent us from killing our respective step-children and step-wives.