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“You should call your parents,” Samuel says after returning from the market with fresh food for lunch.
Eden shakes her head. “It’s too late with the time difference. I’m lucky Amy was awake. I sent a text and intend to call them tomorrow.”
Samuel gives her a look as though he’ll keep her to that promise.
“What do you think my parents will say?”
The question throws him. “I expect your father to say—”
“Come home?” she finishes. “Why is it you’re concerned about my parents, and yet you skip over any details for yours?”
“I’m not the one who was hospitalized, so my parents have no need for concern.” He places the paper bag on the table and unpacks apples, bananas, strawberries, and oranges.
“They should be concerned.” Eden slides onto the chair at the other end of the table. “You’ve been living in the jungle for years on your own.”
“On my own?” Samuel arches his brow. “Last time I checked, I was living in a community.”
“It’s not a normal community.” Eden folds her arms over her chest. “And I bet they are concerned because when was the last time you spoke to them?”
“Normal. What’s normal, Eden?” He shakes his head. “Talking aboutnormal,most of your tests have come back, and all are within acceptable limits except your iron levels are low. Although I may need to challenge the pathology on your iron levels. You don’t sound tired at all.”
“You’re not funny.”
A laugh escapes him. “I could debate with you all day. On a serious note, I’ll find a pharmacy to fill your prescription.”
“Explains why I’m craving a steak.”
He takes a plate of fresh fruit and places it in front of her.
“I eatthisevery day,” she moans.
“Thisis what’s good for your body, and it’s just a starter. If you’re up to it, I’ll take you out for dinner tomorrow night.”
“On a date?”
“Yes, Eden, a date. It’s whatnormalcouples do.”
“We’re not a normal couple.” She takes a handful of strawberries and nibbles on one. “It’s not a bad thing, but I know we can’t do what other couples do.”
His hand stills with a knife, ready to cut the orange in half. “We can.” He drops the knife and sits beside Eden, taking both her hands in his. “You want to go out?”
“My God, yes. It’s like prison has released me on probation, and there’s so much to see—”
“Prison?” he chokes. “No one has forced you to stay in Ulara.” Her words hurt, for it’s the place where he feels free, and he thought she understood him.
“When we’re there, we aren’t free to do what we choose.”
“Every society has rules.”
Her eyes flick over his face. “Right.”
“You know Dr. Jagdeo asked me if you wanted to speak to someone confidentially.”
“Like a psychologist?” She pulls her hands from his and wraps them over her pregnant belly.
“I said I’d run it by you. The option is there.”
“What do I tell them? Cannibals kidnapped me? They’ll think I’m delusional.”
