“How is having a super orgasm going to increase the knowledge of Jesus Christ? That is one hell of a PentaGift!”
Eva turned her head and regarded Zoe for a moment before she burst out laughing. She took Zoe’s hand and kissed it.
Zoe grinned in response. “I don’t think that’s the way God intended this particular gift to manifest itself.”
“You are probably right and it wasn’t intended that way, but we’ve always felt such an intense reaction to each other. Even when we hated each other, it was intense. I felt it coming from you and it affected me.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“I don’t know why it happens or how it happens, but I can feel you. It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does, it’s intense. I felt it when you fell off Mabel, I’m going through this pregnancy, and we’ve just made love that was so intense I thought my head would explode.”
“What were you feeling when you were trying not to respond to my touch?”
Eva looked as if she wanted to throw up.
“Hey.” Zoe took hold of Eva’s hand. “Come on now, I didn’t intend to hurt you by asking that.”
Eva wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’m-”
“No, stop apologizing. No more. I understand why you did it and you honestly thought you were doing the right thing. No more. It’s done.” Zoe put her arm around Eva and kissed her lightly on the lips. “It was hard on you; I understand that now.”
“Um…Zo, my whole...um…” Eva started and stopped. She shook her head. “Um.”
“I know how you are. It would have taken a lot of self-control to stop yourself,” Zoe gently teased. She smiled when Eva turned her head to gaze at her with a half-smile.
“I had to…um…it’s very frustrating,” Eva confessed and grimaced as soon as she said it.
Zoe brushed Eva’s dark hair and smiled down. “That’s my job.”
“I know,” Eva quipped and smiled. “You’re good at it.”
“I know,” Zoe responded. They looked at each other and laughed. “So tell me what’s different for you.”
“Ever since Mama Saint removed the block, I’m finding my emotions are more intense, and I didn’t know it would affect our love making as it has.”
“So what you just felt was both our releases? Is that what you are saying?”
“Um...yes...”
“Wow,” Zoe exclaimed and looked in awe at Eva. “No wonder you nearly passed out. We did attempt to make love the day after Mama Saint removed the block.”
“Zoe, please, I don’t want to talk about that.” Eva shook her head. “Please.” She looked away.
Zoe reached across and tipped Eva’s face towards her. “Tell me.”
“I can’t. We agreed we won’t talk about….”
“I know we did, but tell me.”
“I tried making myself ill because I didn’t want to cause you to get—”
“Stop!” Zoe put her fingers over Eva’s lips. “You forced yourself to get ill, and if I was paying attention to you rather than getting mad, I would have seen what you were doing.”
Eva hesitated for a long moment. “I thought of the first time I had sex with Erik. I was miserable, and I hurt. I felt awful.” She glanced at Zoe. “It was awkward. It was everything I didn’t want to happen.”
“Is this something you have been discussing with Hannah?”
Eva nodded. “I shouldn’t have used it because it only made me more upset that I couldn’t touch you.”
Zoe shook her head and didn’t say a word. She just put her arms around Eva and held her tightly. “Oh Evy, that is just horrible.”
“That’s why I flinched. I felt so bad that I wanted to just curl up and cry, but I didn’t want to show you that either.”
Zoe reached out and tenderly kissed her. “I love you so much. Now, why were you playing poker with the boys?” She avoided dwelling on Eva’s memory of Erik. The topic of Eva’s marriage to Erik was one that Zoe did not want to delve into. To her, Erik was a man who used Eva for his own desires, and that was a crime she would never forgive the man for. Not that it mattered since he was dead, but in her heart she could never forgive him for taking advantage of a woman who was as fragile as Eva was.
“I hate poker! You know I hate poker or any card game. I would have loved to have snuggled with you instead of looking at Tommy and Earl making lovey dovey faces at each other.”
“Speaking of Earl…”
“Oh, Zoe, can we please not discuss that? Please? I beg you, I don’t want to talk about—”
Zoe shook her head. “I’ve never seen you drunk before. You drink beer and wine, but I’ve never seen you drunk. You knew that vile thing Earl is brewing was strong.”
“That’s why I drank it.”
“You drank it to get drunk?”
“Yes. I got drunk because my desires were at war with my head and my desires were going to win. It’s horrible, but it did the trick.”
“What trick?”
“I couldn’t feel anything. I was so drunk, poor Henry had to carry me from the car, or so he told me. I don’t remember any of it.”
“I know,” Zoe replied and shook her head. “I was at the window and I saw him coming. I thought you had an accident and I was so scared. When I met him at the door, you were out cold. After Henry assured me you weren’t hurt, just drunk, I was so angry that I just told him to put you in the upstairs bedroom. I punished him by dragging your body up the stairs.”
Eva shut her eyes and winced. “So that’s how I ended up there.”
“Yes, that’s how you ended up there. Now that I know why you were doing silly things, I understand. Can you please stop reading that stupid book? I know you want to know everything that is happening to me and to the babies, but you are driving yourself crazy taking advice that is just plain rubbish.”
“I won’t take any more advice from it.”
“Oh,” Zoe exclaimed and looked down at her belly. She took Eva’s hand and placed it over where one of the babies had kicked her.
“This is such a miracle,” Eva said quietly when one of the babies kicked her hand.
“They don’t react that way to anyone else. It is like they know it’s you.”
Zoe glanced at Eva, who was sporting an amazed look. She laughed when Eva got out from under the blanket and placed her cheek against Zoe’s belly, talking to the babies, poking her stomach, and getting the poke back.
“Do you know how big our babies are?” Zoe asked. She counted to two before Eva stopped following the poking foot or hand or whatever was doing the tap dancing inside her belly, and then mouthed the words before Eva said them.
“The book says that they are eighteen inches long,” Eva replied. Zoe giggled.
“Hey, what’s so funny?”
“You,” Zoe replied and she kissed Eva. “I bet you’re going to have that baby book in the delivery room and tell the doctor what to do.” She cleared her throat and imitated Eva’s German accent. “No, no, no, the book says—”
“Can I?”
“No, you can’t,” Zoe replied. They gazed at each other and started laughing.
CHAPTER 52
October 26, 1951
Eva cuddled up next to her very pregnant wife and sighed contentedly. Today was Zoe’s twenty-fifth birthday, and they were going to celebrate quietly with their friends and her family, who were flying in from Berlin. Zoe was sitting up in bed reading while Eva had drifted in and out of sleep. Eva felt like she hadn’t had any sleep and was tired. “I wish I could stay in bed with you all day. Happy birthday, my love,” she said as she hitched herself up on her elbow and kissed Zoe.
“Good morning. Thank you!” Zoe greeted her. “You look so tired. Tessa called earlier.”
“She did? What did she want?”
“Uncle Wilbur, Marlene, and Isabella’s plane was arriving later than we thought. Tommy is at the airport and will meet them to bring them here.” Zoe smiled before she leaned in an
d kissed Eva tenderly.
“That’s good. It will give us some time to-”
“Tessa said this several hours ago, Evy. By now the plane would have arrived.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“You had a session with Dr. Hannah last night, and I didn’t think it necessary to wake you to tell you the plane was delayed even if they are family.”
Eva closed her eyes and nodded. “You’re always looking after me.”
“It’s good training for our babies,” Zoe replied as she took Eva’s hands and placed them on her belly. “You had a difficult session with Hannah last night, eh?”
Eva nodded. “Hannah is taking me places I don’t want to revisit and... I don’t want to talk about it now. I wish I could talk to you about this, but it will have to wait until our babies are born.”
“I heard you typing last night. It sounded like you had a lot to write.”
Eva paused, trying to decide if she should break their agreement about what she and Hannah were talking about. It had been a very rough session and she needed Zoe’s strength, but she stopped herself. “I want to talk to you, but we agreed, Zo.”
“I know. I have been tempted many times to read your journal, but I stop myself. It won’t be long before our babies are born and then I’ll read the journal and we can talk like we used to about this.”
The sound of a car approaching on the gravel driveway reached them through the open window. “Looks like I have to get out of bed.” Zoe gave her a little push and she reluctantly got out of bed. She gave Zoe a kiss before finding her robe and slippers.
She yawned as she closed the door behind her. She went to the front door. Her uncle Wilbur, Marlene, and Isabella were all lined up with their arms open wide and matching grins. “Evy!”
Eva shook her head and she embraced them as they came into the house.
“Oh, this is very nice,” Isabella exclaimed. “Did we wake you, my sweet Eva? You look so tired.”
“No, no, I’m fine. You didn’t wake me.” Eva said as she ushered everyone inside. She was about to shut the door when she caught sight of Tommy with the bags.
“Good morning!” Tommy greeted her and gave Eva a kiss on the cheek.
All the commotion brought out Zoe, who had dressed. Eva wanted to go back to her bedroom and be with Zoe, but now she knew there was no chance of that happening at all.
“Oh, wow!” Zoe exclaimed, getting hugged first by Wilbur and then by Marlene. “Did you have a good flight?”
“Yes, yes, it was good. Tommy met us at the airport.”
“Well, I’m happy you are all here,” Eva said sweetly. Zoe came up next to her and took hold of her hand. “I’m so happy to see you all!”
“Happy birthday, Zoe!” Everyone said in unison as Eva put her arm around Zoe and kissed her on the cheek.
“It’s very early in the morning; why don’t you go and get dressed and I’ll make some breakfast?” Isabella said as she put her arms around Eva’s waist. “I want to see that beautiful kitchen Zoe has been telling me about in her letters.”
“Well, the kitchen is that way and I’ll see you shortly.” Eva pointed in the direction of the kitchen.
“Do you want your favorite?” Isabella asked. Eva nodded vigorously in response.
“Henry will show you to your rooms and I’ll be out shortly.”
***
Having dressed and ready for her family, Eva entered the kitchen to find Marlene, Isabella, Wilbur, and Tommy sitting around the table drinking tea. She wanted Zoe to sleep in a little, so she had convinced her to go back to bed, knowing her family would understand.
“That looks heavenly.”
“Your breakfast is ready! I love this kitchen, Evy. Reminds me of home,” Isabella said and quickly got up. Eva came towards her and hugged her. “I’m so glad you are here, Bella,” she said, using the diminutive name for her former nanny.
“I missed you so much,” Isabella replied and cupped Eva’s cheek. “I’m here now. I know all your favorites and how you like them. You convinced Zoe to go back to bed? Good girl.”
“She wanted to come out here but I want her to rest. She’s had some sleepless nights with the babies being a bit more active. She’s been having some Braxton Hicks contractions and she can’t sleep all that well.”
“Yes. I remember when I was pregnant with Willie. My goodness, that boy kept me up at nights. I ate so much chocolate.”
“Zoe’s current favorite is ice cream mixed with Vegemite,” Eva revealed and grimaced. “I tried it to see what it was like and I threw up. It’s awful.”
“Yes, but you were throwing up anyway,” Tommy added, making Eva laugh. “At least that stopped now.”
“Yes.” Eva nodded. “Now I just have low back pain most of the time, but I don’t care. It’s just a nuisance.”
“Imagine our surprise when we got your letter and you told us about Saint Theresa. Wilbur thought you were on your medications and were making the story up.”
“I wasn’t sure how to tell you, and even when I read it back, it sounded so fanciful.”
Marlene put her arm around Eva’s shoulder and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m so glad she intervened and healed you. You deserve to be healthy and happy.”
“Thank you,” Eva replied as Marlene hugged her.
“How is your head? Are you still dizzy?”
“No, it’s alright now.”
“I loved reading your letters, darling. It was so much fun reading how you were coping with pregnancy without being pregnant. It’s fascinating.”
“I’ve loved being pregnant, even when I was throwing up and the heartburn. Everything about it.”
“Sit now and have some breakfast.” Isabella placed Eva’s breakfast on the table.
“Oh, my favorite!” Eva exclaimed. “I love Bauernfrühstück!” Eva’s favorite breakfast meal consisted of fried potatoes, eggs, onions, and chives, with a generous serving of fried bacon the way she loved it. She glanced at Marlene, who merely smiled. “I’m so glad you are all here,” she said before she started to eat.
“Good, because it’s very far if we had to go back,” Isabella replied and went to the red refrigerator in the corner to get Eva some milk.
With a slight shake of the head, Eva turned her attention to the newly arrived travelers. “How was your journey?”
“The airplane was a little bumpy,” Marlene replied.
“Too many potholes,” Wilbur added, eliciting groans from them and a smile from Eva.
“That was terrible.” Marlene playfully tapped Wilbur on the arm.
Eva sat back in the chair and laughed. She looked around at the people in her kitchen and sighed contentedly. She glanced at Isabella, who gave her a knowing look and a smile before she went back to eating her breakfast.
CHAPTER 53
Eva pushed herself away from the table with a happy, satisfied grunt. Isabella chuckled. “I’m going to fatten you up; you are far too skinny,” she said and shoed Eva out of the kitchen.
Eva led Wilbur outside and to the sofa, and patted the space next to her. He was a tall man with dark hair peppered with white. His dark blue eyes were hidden behind wire-framed glasses. He glanced down at the burnt orange sofa with some trepidation.
“Is this going to break apart?”
Eva shook her head. “It’s got sentimental value, so we don’t want to throw it away. It was the first sofa we bought together when we arrived.”
“Ah.” Wilbur sat down and ever so gently tested the springs. “It’s an ugly color.”
“We couldn’t afford anything else.”
“That must have been very difficult for you.” Wilbur put his hand on Eva’s knee. “I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault. I could have come back to Germany but…”
“If I had been in your shoes, I wouldn’t have come back to Germany, so you made the right decision.”
“I know. I had Zoe to consider. She was sixteen when the war ended a
nd had no family. She was the one that pulled me through and nursed me back to health.”
“You’ve made a life for yourself and for Zoe here.” Wilbur looked out at the garden and beyond to sea, past the borders of the back yard. “You are very strong and courageous, Evy.”
“Am I?”
“Oh, yes.” Wilbur nodded. “We forge steel in the factory, and it’s a durable material. It is malleable but it is tough. That’s you. You have a will that never breaks.”
“Some days it felt like I was made of glass.”
“Yes, but you weren’t. What your father and uncle did was unforgivable, but you survived.”
“I did.”
“Speaking of a will that never breaks, I’ve had the chance to speak to Father Haralambos—”
“You went to Greece?”
Wilbur shook his head. “No, he came to Germany to see Father Johan. He is a very interesting man.”
“He is a good man.”
“I know. We took him to your mama’s grave.” Wilbur reached out and took Eva’s hand. He gently squeezed it. “Father Haralambos is welcome in our home any time. He is an honorable man, and a far better man than my brother could ever be. Hans was not fit to tie Father Haralambos’ shoelaces. It’s too late to tell him he was a disgrace.”
Eva turned and hugged him fiercely. “Thank you.”
“He also told me about your exploits during the war. I’m very proud of you for standing up against Hitler, and against your father,” Wilbur said. “You were right to do that. Forging Hans’ signature was very impressive. He showed me a copy he still had.”
Eva smiled. “Willie showed me how to do it one day when I didn’t want to go to class.”
“I thought that rascal must have been involved,” Wilbur said with a smile. “He was a brave young man.”
“Did you see him before he passed away?”
“I did. I’m glad you were not there to see him in that condition.” Wilbur patted Eva’s hand. “Marlene is still grieving and I’m not sure she will ever get over his death.”
[Intertwined Souls 05.0] No Good Deed Page 41
