She wants to understand.

When you knock on the door, Ms. Norah is surprised to see you so soon, but lets you in. She asks that you sit on the couch in the living room and she sits on the one in front.

She sighs heavily, then looks at you with a stern, but not too harsh expression.

“I’ve been unfair to you this past week, but I’m sure you understand where I’m coming from, right?” She begins.

You nod. “I don’t blame you.”

“Vivian says it was her idea, but is it true you had an incestuous relationship with your sister even before dating my daughter?”

You sigh heavily. “For just a few days, but yes.”

“Why?” She asks, not in an accusing tone, but in a why that sounds like she can’t comprehend what would lead you to that.

“I don’t know.” You shake your head. “It’s how things turned out. Before we lived alone, Shelly and I were terrible siblings. We had a very strained relationship. Now… as weird as it is to say, we finally feel like family.”

“…” Ms. Norah studies your face. “What about my daughter?”

“What can I say? I love Vivian with all my heart. I didn’t lay a finger on Shelly since I started dating your daughter. Still, I won’t make excuses. While it was Vivian’s idea that I date both her and Shelly, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want it.” You’re resolute. You’re not here to make excuses to Ms. Norah. You’re here to tell her that, despite all, you’re happy and are working on making Vivian happy as well.

“Do you really think you can make it work? That you can be with two people at once?” She asks, her tone a mix of frustration and curiosity.

“I don’t know,” You shrug. “But that’s normal, right? Not even people dating one person know if things will work out.” You say. “All I know is that right now, we’re happy.”

Ms. Norah bites her lip. “Are you?”

You nod. “I love Vivian and she’s been incredibly accepting of me. My relationship with my sister has improved to the point where we can finally laugh together. They’ve given me the confidence I always lacked, and I want to be a better person for them. Why wouldn’t I be happy?”

“…” Ms. Norah looks at you silently before speaking again. “Vivian told you I was in love with you, right?”

Oh no, THAT topic. You nod, unable to answer with words.

“Truth is… I still am.” She admits. “When Vivian told me what you three were doing… I found it disgusting. I couldn’t believe you were that sort of person.” Her voice starts to crack, and a few tears appear in her eyes. “But the more I thought about it, the more of a hypocrite I felt.”

“I did something terrible to my daughter when I neglected her, and you didn’t think less of me for it. And what’s more, without realizing it, I was about to do it again. On the other hand, you were fixing your relationship with your sister while making everyone happy. When I think about it that way, is what you’re doing really wrong?”

“Ms. Norah…” You say. “I’m not some saint. I’m not sacrificing myself to make everyone happy. Honestly, I feel like I’m the luckiest man alive! I know that what we’re doing is wrong in society’s eyes, but we’re not hurting anyone, are we? All I want is to make Vivian and Shelly happy and be happy along with them.”