Aurora’s face brightened. “Really? I don’t want to get in the way.”
“You will never be getting in the way, okay?”
Aurora nodded.
“And when you meet your soulmate, the four of us can live together,” Angeni said, nudging Aurora in the side.
Aurora rolled her eyes. After a string of disappointing short-term boyfriends, she had sworn off dating for the foreseeable future.
“You’re sure Erik is okay with this?” Aurora asked.
“If he wasn’t, I wouldn’t be with him,” Angeni said.
Aurora exhaled a big breath of relief.
“Seattle, though?” Aurora said.
That was where Erik lived and worked. He had a steady gig with a construction company, and all the jobsites were in the Seattle area.
“It’ll be exciting, a new beginning,” Angeni said.
“What about the congregation?” Aurora asked.
Seattle was a two-and-a-half-hour drive from where they were in Chelan County. It wouldn’t be feasible to continue the weekly park gatherings.
“Erik had an idea. We can create a website, social media ... build an online community. That way we can stay connected with the current congregation and grow beyond that too.”
“That’s actually smart,” Aurora said. “Though I’ll miss it here.”
“We won’t leave anytime soon. I can’t tell Cheyenne about Erik yet. I promised her I would take this year of celibacy. Erik and I will keep things quiet until the timing is right. We have time to think it all through, to manifest a life for ourselves.”
“Manifest,” Aurora said. “I like that.”
It was a word Erik had used on the retreat, a word he said he was applying to his own life. “I think I manifested you,” he’d told Angeni after they first had sex.
“I think this is what I’m meant for, Ror,” Angeni said.
Aurora looked less skeptical, more excited. She reached across the table and took both of Angeni’s hands into her own. She squeezed them.
“I always knew you were meant for something.”
Chapter 25
Gwen
It had been nearly two weeks since Gwen had attempted to resume breastfeeding June, and it was not going well. Whatever amount of milk Gwen’s boobs were producing, it wasn’t enough. June would fuss on the nipple, pulling it into her mouth, then spitting it out moments later. Before she began to cry in agonized frustration, there was this moment when she would stare up at Gwen, and the look in her eyes was heartbreaking. It was a look of utter bewilderment, likeWhat the fuck are you giving to me?
Gwen and June continued to make the trip to Leigh’s condo every day during the week, and every day Leigh took the time to assure Gwen that this was just a transition period. “Your body is still recalibrating, figuring out how much milk to make,” Leigh said. Gwen tried to believe her. Gwen still thought about that surprising kiss on the cheek. It hadn’t happened since, but she kept finding herself staring at Leigh’s lips and thinking about kissing them. It was almost like the intensity of their bond demanded some kind of physical expression.
Usually, Gwen attempted to feed June before bringing her over to Leigh’s. She didn’t want Leigh to witness the embarrassment of their failed feeding relationship. But on this day, Leigh told her to wait tofeed June until she got there. “Maybe I can help,” Leigh told her, and Gwen felt the irresistible pull of hope.
Gwen had brought pizza from Pagliacci’s, Leigh’s favorite. Leigh sat on the couch and used her foot to kick open the lid of the pizza box, then leaned forward to lift out a slice. She took a bite as Gwen sat next to her. Gwen half-heartedly pulled her shirt up and over the shelf of her boobs, then unsnapped her bra. Was she imagining it, or were they already deflating, sad little sacks of flesh in comparison to Leigh’s round, fullbosom?
Gwen gently guided June’s head toward her right boob and felt the tingly letdown of milk as her ever-wise body anticipated June’s mouth. Her poor body; it didn’t know her baby wanted nothing to do with her.
June kept trying to crane her head back toward Leigh, as if looking for someone, anyone, to save her from this disappointing situation.
“Your mama loves you, Juney,” Leigh said. “Have some of her delicious milk.”
