He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. Then opened it again and muttered, “Thanks.”
Sasha went to her room shortly after Erik went to the firepit. Freya’s before-bedtime feed was due soon, and then Angeni would call for Sasha to take the baby for the first half of the night. Sasha sat against the headboard of her bed, checking the latest activity on her posts. There was a message waiting for her. She tapped to read it. It was a response from Erik.
My name is Erik, sorry I didn’t mention that in the first message. I wanted to say that I read through your posts and I see where you are coming from. I do not think my wife intends any harm, but I understand your perspective. Obviously, it’s your right to say what you want to say, and I cannot make you change the appearance of your page either. I wish you the best.
He must have just sent this message, while sitting out by the firepit. She typed a response.
I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised at how kind your message was. Thank you. I appreciate you saying that you understand my perspective. I know your wife does not intend any harm, but some of what she says IS harmful. Women have died trying to pursue what she preaches. Perhaps you canconsider speaking with her. She may take it in if it comes from you.
His response was immediate. Here they were, engaging in a real-time conversation.
Women have died? I’m sorry, I’m not seeing what you mean. I’ve seen how many people she’s affected in a positive way.
Well, this was interesting.
Women die attempting home births. It happens. She should be more responsible.
She assumed that was going too far, that he would not respond, or would respond with something terse and agitated, but he didn’t.
I’m sorry if this is true. I know she would be horrified to know this. She speaks from her heart and she is very passionate about her beliefs. I will speak with her about this particular issue though. Sending love.
So that was the end of it, at least for now.
An hour or so later, Sasha heard Aurora leaving Angeni’s room, telling her to sleep well. Once Aurora had gone, Angeni called for Sasha and handed baby Freya to her. Angeni’s eyes were red, like she’d been crying.
“Are you okay?” Sasha asked.
“Yes, I will be, after some good sleep.”
Sasha whisked the baby away to her room, and they settled on the floor mattress together. Freya was on her chest, her body moving up and down with Sasha’s breath. It was in these moments when Sasha thought most of Daphne, of little Theodore and his tiny coffin. She dozed off thinking of her sister, her nephew. The next time her eyes flicked to her phone, it was after two in the morning. She heard a soft knock on her door and realized that was what must have awakened her.
“Yes?” she asked.
The door opened, and Erik was there, in his usual middle-of-the-night attire, which was very little attire at all.
“Sorry, did I wake you?” he asked.
“You did, but it’s okay. What’s up?”
He looked over her shoulder. “Can I come in?”
She looked over her own shoulder, as if also checking for the presence of someone or something that would make their interaction problematic.
“Um, sure,” she said.
Sasha slowly eased herself into a sitting position, Freya still passed out on her chest, her little mouth open, drool creating a small circle of wetness on Sasha’s camisole. Ironically, it looked like a circle formed by nipple leak. As she stared at it, she realized how visible her dark nipples were through her thin, white camisole. She felt a flush of embarrassment at how exposed she’d made herself. Had Erik noticed? The room was dark except for a soft glow from the full moon through the window. She was thankful for that.
“I might need another therapy session,” he said.
That was how he’d jokingly referred to their last middle-of-the-night meetings, when he’d shared a bit more about his childhood, his parents’ divorce, drinking his first beer when he was ten.
“Everything okay?” Sasha asked.
He sat on the floor next to the mattress, close enough that Sasha could reach over and touch him if she wanted. She angled her phone toward her, hit the red record button.
“I don’t know if everything’s okay,” he said. “Angeni is going through something.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She knew if she waited patiently, he would tell her more.
