Yes. A bit of Vivian’s family history.

“I don’t want to bore you with this stuff.” Vivian says.

“I’m the one who asked.” You assure her.

Vivian sighs again.

“Well… you see…” She struggles to find the words to begin. “My dad died when I was 8. He was always good to me. He was a good father. Mom will tell you the same.” You can hear the ‘but’ coming. “But he wasn’t my mom’s husband… or partner, even. I don’t know anything about his and Mom’s relationship past that. He didn’t live with us, but he moved from Ireland to this town when he heard Mom was pregnant. Did I mention I’m ¼ Irish?” She chuckles softly.

Vivian takes a deep breath.

“He died of cancer when I was 8. After that… it was like Mom stopped caring about things in general. She stopped playing with me, talking to me more than it was necessary… even paying attention to the things I did or didn’t do.”

She sees you frown, and quickly moves to clear things up.

“Don’t get me wrong though! She was never a negligent mother! She always took care of me. Though… I guess for a time it was less like a mother and more like a... I don’t know, like it was just something she HAD to do.

“I know she went to a psychiatrist and got better, but… at that point, it was hard to turn back. I was 13 already. I guess it was my turn to not let her in.” She bites her lip. “She started trying to care about me and the things I did, but… it all seemed so superficial. It still does. Like how she hired you to be my tutor! She only did it because my grades are bad! She didn’t care WHY my grades are bad!”

Her knuckles are clenched tightly, grabbing onto the bed covers.

You can’t help the small smile that forms in your face.

“Why are you smiling!?” She snaps at you, but your smile remains.

“I’m sorry. I’m just glad there’s more to this situation than you know.”

Vivian seems taken aback. “What do you mean?”

“Ms. Norah didn’t hire me because your grades were bad. She did it because she knew you were lonely. She’s noticed you’ve been happier since we started dating. She told me so herself. Hell, she KNOWS we’re dating and that we did it already, too. All that just from looking at you.” You go and sit next to her.

“S-She knows?” She asks hesitantly with a flushed face.

“Yeah. She’s been worried sick about you, but can’t do anything because you don’t talk to her, or so she says. She said this over a bottle of wine, and I know for a fact drunks don’t lie.” You smile.

Vivian bites her lips.

“Vivian, this is what I know. I have no reason to lie. Maybe what you said is true, and there was a time when your mother didn’t care about you. But she does now, and is trying to fix this relationship, subtle as it is.”

“…” Vivian remains silent, staring at her knees.

“I told you I’ve been fixing my relationship with my sister, right? Well, it’s not too late to fix your relationship with your mother, it never is.”

“So what? Am I supposed to just forget these 10 years happened?”

“No.” You wrap an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to you and giving her a kiss on the head. “But you can make an effort to change things. You can start small. Try talking to her a bit more. Maybe watch a movie, talk to her about the things you’re doing. I’m willing to bet she’d be thrilled to listen.”

“I…” Vivian swallows. “I’ll try.”

“That’s my girl.” You smile and give her a kiss on the cheek. She seems embarrassed, but hugs you back.

“You just came into my life to fix all my problems, didn’t you?” She chuckles.

“I’m just giving you a hand. Your problems are yours to fix, just like I have to fix my own.” You reply.

“What ARE your problems?”

“For starters, my sister keeps eating my cookies. I might have to buy a safe.”

Vivian laughs cheerfully. You’ll consider it a job well done for today.

Though at dinner…

“Mom.” Vivian says, looking straight at her mother across the table. “John and I are dating. We also already had sex.”

BABY STEPS, VIVIAN! BABY STEPS!

It’s embarrassing, but you guess that Ms. Norah’s smile and laughter are worth it.