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“Have you heard of the Greater Seattle polycule?” Norman Rhodes asked.
Norman Rhodes, Hannah Swensen, and Mike Kingston were sitting at a table in Norman’s house (where Hannah and Moishe the cat were staying), when Norman popped an interesting question.
“What’s that?” Hannah asked.
“Is that a band?” Mike asked.
“No, it’s this meme about how Seattle has a high number of people in non-monogamous relationships,” Norman explained. “Sometimes they’re called open relationships or ethical non-monogamy or polyamory. It’s not cheating, everybody in the polycule knows about the other relationships. And they can be configured any way as the people see fit.”
Mike looked like he was digesting this. Norman could tell that Hannah’s wheels were turning in her head.
“I brought it up because I know about polyamory,” Norman said.
“So, like what the Mormons do?” Mike said.
“I don’t think the mainstream Mormons do that anymore, Mike,” Hannah said.
“That’s polygamy, but we’re not talking about marriage, we’re just talking about relationships,” Norman said.
“Yeah, I’m not exactly looking to get married,” Hannah said. “But I do like dating both of you.”
Norman did a tongue click.
“And you both have been amazing through all this Ross drama,” Hannah said, softly. “And I do have two hands.”
She held them each out in the direction of both her guys.
Norman didn’t hesitate to take her hand. She smiled at him softly.
“Fuck it,” Mike said, after a couple of moments and took Hannah’s other hand.
Hannah laughed at the swear she otherwise wouldn’t have said in front of her nieces, but was delighted regardless.
They sat there quietly for a few long moments before finally someone spoke.
“I do have plenty of questions,” Mike said.
“And we can talk about that, bud,” Norman said patiently.
“So, Hannah dates both of us?” Mike asked.
“Same as always,” Norman replied. “Hannah would be what’s called the hinge.”
“But you and I?”
“We’d be metamours, which is like friend of a friend but with romantic relationships,” Norman said.
“Okay,” Mike said. “So, not necessarily me and you.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Nope, unless that’s something you’re willing to explore, Mike,” Norman said. “Sexuality is fluid. I dated a couple of men while in Seattle. I’m bi. Carrie doesn’t know, so let’s keep that between us, eh?”
Mike nodded seriously.
“Shit!” Hannah swore loudly. “The moms. What will my mother think of us?”
Moishe, Hannah’s orange boy, took this moment to express his thoughts on that. And that was to hiss about Delores. He then jumped onto the table, breaking the handholding up, demanding Hannah pet him.
“Thank you for your opinion, Moishe. You’re right. Hiss,” Hannah said. “She’ll just have to get over it.”
“Exactly,” Mike said.
“So,” Norman said. “I guess we’re the Lake Eden polycule.”