“Mr. and Mrs. Simol’s newborn has an unusual heartbeat, and they asked me for something that might help. I’m tryingto use the gentlest ingredients I can think of, but now it’s all about…”
“Finding that seamless combination,” I finish his favorite saying.
“Exactly.” He gives me a wink and then points his head to the door. “Best to not keep your mother and sister waiting. Come on.” He pushes my head playfully and takes the wine jug. “Should we grab the bigger one to make it through supper?”
“Not a bad idea.”
To my surprise, inside Jerimi, Jaleese’s husband, is waiting at the table. His sleeves are up and utensils are in hand. All he needs is food.
Jerimi is a boulder of a man, his colossal frame looking like he is about to snap the wooden chair in half. He works at the village quarry and is one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met. Far too good for Jaleese, but I won’t tell her that.
We eat in silence, and anytime someone starts a conversation it is short-lived and about as dry as the wine I brought in from the cellar.
Just as I’m about to take another sip, I see my mother put her fork down and dab at her lips with a napkin before looking my way.Oh boy.
“So, Ariah,” she begins, and I watch a slight line form between her eyebrows. “You’ve made your decision. No one will give you a hard time for it.” Her eyes drift to Jaleese and then back to me. “But have you thought over the consequences? What will you do if you see any of the council members again?”
“Too late,” I mumble, stuffing in a bite of rabbit stew.
“What?”
“One came into Luna’s shop when I was there.” I pile in another bite. “Not long after the rejection.”
I go for a third bite, but she reaches out and pushes my hand down. “And what did he say?”
I shrug. “Nothing really. He got some pastries and said, ‘I’ll be seeing you soon, Miss Tyddle,’ and then he left.” My family passes glances at each other. “I just need people to trust me.” Exhausted with all the talk about today, I plead my last case.
My mother exhales a long breath before taking a sip of wine. “Fine,” she utters after setting the cup down. It’s subtle and creeps up slowly, but eventually she offers me a smile. A genuine one. “We trust you. And from here on out, no one”—her eyes drift to Jaleese—“and I mean, no one, will pester you about your decision.”
“Really?” I ask, with a potato hanging halfway out of my mouth. It’s not the reaction I was expecting.
“Really.”
Jerimi leans over and gives a small punch to my arm. “We got you.”
“Thank you…” The potato bursts in my mouth and I chew on it, slow and confused as to what just happened. “That’s it?” And now I’m the one bringing it up. “You’re not going to tell me how foolish I’m being or how I’ll never be able to find a respectable man after this?”
My mother looks at me from above the rim of her cup and sets it down torturously slow as I wait for a reply. “Do you think you’re being a fool?”
Jaleese coughs, but we all ignore her. “No.”
“And do you think this decision has ruined your chances of finding someone?”
“Maybe here in Foxhead,” I answer with a quick certainty.
Her lips twitch. “Good thing the world is bigger than this simple village.” Her reassurance soothes me.
“Maybe we could—” Jaleese’s comment falls short as she grips her fork and places a hand to her belly. When her breathing returns to normal she tries again. “Maybe we—” She hunchesover without finishing the thought and her head hovers above the plate of barely touched food.
She’s been having labor pains all day but now they appear to be occurring more frequently. Lifting herself up she takes in a deep breath and a sip of water.
“Sorry, I don’t—” This time she cries out before her body lurches forward and her forehead rests against the table in pain.
“The baby.” Jerimi stands, knocking the table with his brawny body. Cups and pitchers spill over and liquid pools on the floor at the side of the table.
“Quick, get her into Ariah’s room!” my father shouts, taking her hand and helping her up.
“My room?” I protest. “Absolutely not.” It sounds selfish, but the fluids that accompany childbirth are ones I would rather not have soaking into my bed.
