Triple the Love

Just think about it...

Jack

“Is there anything you need to pack away right now?” he asked, and I looked at the bags as I tried to remember what I had bought.

“No,” I finally said as I led him into the living room. “Please, sit,” as soon as we were both seated, the silence fell over us. However, this wasn’t the time to dance around. It was go time. “Look, Hank, I know the idea of a poly relationship isn’t traditional…but it really could work if we gave it a chance,” I said as I stared at him. Hank didn’t say anything. His expression was hard and guarded. His arms were crossed over his chest and even though he was leaning back against the couch, it was clear that he was doing everything in his power to keep his emotions in check.

“Explain it to me,” Hank finally said, and even though his voice was flat, I felt a flicker of hope ignite inside of me. “Explain why you think this would work. And why you would even want this?” I took a deep breath as I hurriedly tried to organize my thoughts. This was it.

“Because I care about you, Hank. Because I care about Corey. Here I am…I am sitting right here, and I don’t want to lose either of you,” I said. Hank’s expression didn’t change, but he wasn’t storming out either. So, I continued. “You and I aren’t together, Hank, but we have always been friends and when Corey entered the picture…we actually became closer as friends because of him. So…he doesn’t want to lose either of us and I don’t want to lose either of you. Yes…Corey went about this whole thing in the wrong way, but it wasn’t because he wanted to hurt us, Hank. He was merely trying to hold onto both of us…and what if we could all be together? Think about it for a moment. All of us together. Openly and honestly. No secrets. No lies. And no one has to lose anyone…and no one has to worry about hurting anyone…”

“Jack, this isn’t some fantasy,” Hank said as his frown deepened and he shook his head. “I mean, this is real life. People don’t just decide to be in a three-person relationship and expect it to work out,”

“No, it isn’t traditional. It isn’t the normal way…but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t work. Poly relationships aren’t unheard of, Hank. I did my research and yes, poly relationships require a lot more communication, trust, and even boundaries…much the same as any other relationship. But if we are willing to try…I do believe we could make it work,” I said.

“And do you really think that Corey and I can get past everything that has happened? Do you think I can just forget how he lied? How he played us both?” Hank questioned as he stared at me. The disbelief was clear in his eyes.

“No, Hank,” I said as I shook my head. “I’m not asking you to forget. I’m not even asking you to forgive. I’m merely asking you to think about this. I want you to at least consider the possibility that there is a way forward without anyone getting hurt,” Hank let out a bitter laugh as he uncrossed his arms and rubbed his hand over his face.

“How are you so calm about all of this?” he then asked, and I shrugged as I felt the weight of his question.

“Because I have thought about it a lot. I did a ton of research, Hank, and…it is a solution…a solution that doesn’t end with us losing each other,” Hank’s expression softened for a moment, but then he shook his head as he leaned forward.

“I just don’t know, man,” he muttered. “The very idea of it horrifies me. Something about it just doesn’t seem right and…and I’ve never seen you as anything more than a friend and this is not something I can just sign up for…I just don’t think I can,” he said, and my heart sank as I listened to him. He wasn’t angry – at least not the same way as before. There was more exhaustion in his voice. A weariness that told me he was not only time but overwhelmed. Before I could say or do anything to try and comfort him, Hank softly continued. “I’m tired of being angry with Corey,” he admitted. “I’m tired of feeling like this, but it doesn’t mean I am ready to jump into something crazy like this,”

“And I get that,” I said as I nodded. “Hank, we aren’t asking you to make a decision right now. We just want you to think about it…no pressure. No rush. Just…give it some thought. If you still feel the same way after a while…then we will just let it go,” Hank stared at me, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. He wasn’t completely shutting me out and that was something. I could tell that he was still horrified by the idea, but maybe there was a small part that was willing to at least consider it.

“I don’t know, Jack, this all feels wrong…” he said as he stood up, and my heart skipped a beat. I had begged him to at least think about it, and it sounded like he wasn’t going to. “And I cannot promise you anything, but I promise I will think about it,” he added, and that small flicker of hope reignited as I stood up.

“Thank you, that is all I am asking. Just think about it,” I said. Hank stared at me for a long, searching moment before he nodded and headed for the door. I watched as he walked out, and I felt like I had made progress. He hadn't fully rejected the idea, and he had promised to think about it. That was more than I could have hoped for, and I felt a cautious optimism settle over me. Maybe, just maybe, Hank would come around. And if he did, there was still hope for the three of us.