“Because I'm not an idiot, and because it's true. Ever since Josh came back, you haven't been able to take your eyes off him. At dinner last night, when we were helping

Maria move in today. It's obvious to anyone who looks.

“But you know it's impossible, right? That's why you're so unhappy. Why you lashed out at Maria earlier this afternoon. Because you saw her as a rival. Another attractive woman who your father might desire.

Especially when he is, unfortunately for you, already sleeping with your mother."

Sarah dropped her head, tears of shame running down her cheeks. It seemed too much trouble to deny the truth any longer. Best to get it over with and take the reaming that was sure to follow Like a grown-up.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean for this to happen. We were in his workshop yesterday, and all of a sudden, I just wanted him. I got all itchy inside, you know? Like, I mean, really horny. Hornier than I ever was for Sam or Luke," she said, naming her last two boyfriends, “and I knew he would be able to make me feel good. We didn't do anything," she added quickly. "And we won't. I won't. If you want me to, I'll move out."

Her mother moved over to sit beside her, slipping an arm around her shoulders and holding her while she cried. She wished she was a Little girl again, and she could sit in her lap. They were so different. She wasn't beautiful like her mother. She was tall where her mother was petite. Brown-haired where Rachel's was black. Her skin was darker than her mother's, her breasts smaller, her legs longer, her body that of a long-distance runner.

"Nonsense." Her mother's voice was warm, Loving, and utterly firm. "Why should I be angry you find your father attractive? I certainly do.

That's how you got here, you know."

Somehow, Sarah was able to giggle weakly through her tears. She sat up, rubbing a sleeve across her eyes.

“You're not moving out unless you want to. You don't, do you?" Sarah shook her head. Her mother nodded.

“Good, so let's hear no more of that.

“But I'm glad to hear you admit your feelings for Josh. It takes a lot of courage to tell someone a painful truth. Especially when you know most people won't understand.

"I've been forced to reevaluate a lot of my preconceptions lately,

Sarah. One thing I think I've learned is that love is never wrong. When two people love, truly Love one another, only a fool would try to keep them apart. Physical Love is only one way to express how we feel. You love your father. He loves you. For whatever reason, you are now feeling the desire to express your Love for him physically. And unless

I'm terribly mistaken, he has the same desire for you."

“He does," Sarah said softly, unable to believe the direction the conversation was taking. "I know it. I felt it yesterday.

“Mom, are you saying that you...that you're okay with this? I mean...there's laws against this sort of thing. Fuck, you're an attorney!"

“Don't swear," she said. "The Laws were mostly put in place to protect children. To keep adult predators away from young, vulnerable people.

“Well, you're not a child anymore," her mother continued, giving her a long, assessing look which made her blush.