The Living Room – 4:30 PM
Grandma Lois continued with the vibrator on her neck. The aunts took turns trying it. "Oh, what a modern thing," said one. "In my day, we didn't have such marvels," said another. Cousin Margaret had stopped praying and was watching with scientific curiosity.
Lily approached Robin. "Are you okay?"
"Your grandmother has my vibrator on her neck and she's happy, so yes, I'm okay."
"I'm sorry about the tag switching."
"Don't be. It was my fault. And in the end, your grandmother is happy."
"My grandmother is more than happy. I think she loves you more than me."
"That's impossible."
"Have you seen how she looks at you? Like you're her favorite granddaughter."
Robin smiled. "Canadians have that gift."
Grandma Lois interrupted: "Does anyone else have a gift?"
Lily picked up the brown paper package that Alyx had left on the table. "This one is from Alyx."
All eyes turned to Alyx, who was still in her corner, drawing.
"Alyx?" asked Janice. "The artist?"
"Yes," said Lily. "It's her gift."
Lily carefully opened the package. Inside, a framed drawing. It was her, Alyx, and Marshall, sitting on the sofa at MacLaren's, laughing. In the corner, a note:
"For when you forget that love comes in all forms. – A."
Lily felt her eyes sting. "Alyx... it's beautiful."
"Can I see it?" asked Grandma Lois.
Lily showed it to her. Grandma adjusted her glasses, setting the vibrator aside for the first time in an hour.
"Who are these people?"
"Us. Alyx, Marshall, and me."
"And why is Alyx there? Isn't she your friend?"
Lily swallowed.
She looked at Alyx.
Alyx nodded.
"Grandma," said Lily, "Alyx is more than my friend. Alyx is... also my partner. Marshall knows. Everyone knows. And soon, the three of us are getting married."
The silence was absolute.
Cousin Margaret stopped observing the vibrator. Lily's mother, Janice, stood with her mouth open. The aunts stopped whispering. The cousins looked at each other.
Grandma Lois slowly removed her glasses.
"The three of you?" she asked.
"Yes," said Lily. "The three of us are getting married."
"And is that legal?"
"With the right agreements, yes. It's not a traditional marriage, but it's our marriage."
Grandma Lois was silent for a long while. Then she looked back at the drawing.
"And she draws well?"
"She's an incredible artist," said Lily.
"Well, it's about time someone in this family had talent besides you, of course. Your father only knows how to make those strange juices, and your mother only knows how to paint your nails."
"Grandma..."
"And her," said Grandma, pointing to Alyx, "what else can she do besides draw?"
Alyx stood up. "I'm not a very good cook, but I try. And I know how to listen. And I know how to be quiet when it's time."
Grandma Lois nodded. "That's important. Knowing how to be quiet. Your cousin Margaret never learned that. That's why she became a nun—so they'd force her to be quiet."
"Grandma," said Margaret.
"It's true, dear. You know it."
Everyone laughed. The tension broke again.
Janice approached Alyx. "Are you really going to marry my daughter?"
"Lily and Marshall. Yes."
"And how does that work?"
"Like any marriage. With love, respect, and a lot of patience. Especially patience."
Janice looked at her. "And the church? What will the church say?"
Alyx smiled. "With respect, Mrs. Aldrin, the church and I have a complicated relationship. But Lily and I have a very clear one. And that's what matters."
Janice didn't say anything, but something in her expression had changed. It wasn't acceptance yet, but it was... curiosity.
Cousin Margaret approached. "Can I see the drawing more closely?"
Lily showed her. Margaret studied it carefully.
"You three look very happy," she said.
"We are."
"Then God bless you. And if anyone has anything to say, they can say it to me."
All the women looked at her. "Really, Margaret?" said an aunt. "You, who are going to be a nun?"
"The Bible says God is love. If they love each other, who am I to judge? Besides, the drawing is very beautiful. Better than the crucifix I carved."
"Your crucifix was beautiful," said Lily.
"Well, don't hang it. Hang this."
Alyx approached. "Thank you, Margaret."
"You're welcome. But if you can, make me one too. With my plants at the convent. I have some beautiful petunias."
"I'll make you the best petunia drawing you've ever seen."
"Deal."
The Apartment Door – 7:30 PM
The last guest had left.
Grandma Lois, with the vibrator in her bag (she had refused to return it).
Cousin Margaret, with the promise of a petunia drawing.
The aunts, the cousins, Lily's mother, who as she said goodbye had told Alyx: "Come to dinner sometime. I want to get to know you better."
Only Lily, Alyx, and Robin remained, sitting on the sofa in the empty apartment.
"It's been a strange day," said Lily.
"Not strange," said Robin. "Very strange."
"But nice," said Alyx. "Your grandmother is great."
"My grandmother? The one who took my vibrator in her bag?"
"Your vibrator," said Robin. "It was my vibrator. Or the gift that was going to be yours. It was... I don't know. I don't know whose anything is anymore."
Lily laughed. "My grandmother has your vibrator and she's happy. And you have her sewing machine."
Robin looked at the sewing machine in her lap. "What am I going to do with this?"
"You could learn to sew," said Alyx.
"Me? Sew?"
"It's a family tradition. Grandma Lois said the women in the family sew."
"I'm not family."
"You will be," said Lily. "When you and Ted get married."
Robin fell silent. "Ted and I... I don't know if we're going to get married."
"But you love each other," said Alyx.
"Yes, we love each other. But that's not enough to get married."
Lily hugged her. "You'll find your way. And in the meantime, you have a sewing machine."
"And a vibrator that your grandmother took."
"And a drawing from Alyx."
"And a family that accepts you," said Alyx.
Robin looked at her. "You think?"
"Grandma adores you. Your mother invited you to dinner. The nun asked you to teach her how to use the vibrator," said Alyx mischievously.
"She did not ask me that," Robin replied.
"She asked you with her eyes," said Alyx resolutely.
Robin burst out laughing. "You're crazy."
"But you love me," Alyx smiled happily.
"A little," Robin admitted.
"A little is enough," Alyx concluded.
All while Lily enjoyed the space with her girlfriend and her best friend together.
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Alyx gave Lily a drawing of the three of them. Her family saw everything.
What do you think of how Lily's family reacted?
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