Psyche and Eros

Sister Things

A few days past before a letter was dropped back on my doorstep. The mystery of who exactly delivered it isn't that compelling.

I think my husband pretended not to see it, and let me open it in my own time.

Though he has been often upset, he has calmed. Now that I know the truth, albeit unspoken, there is some level of tension removed. The mystery of the huge secret no longer weighs on either of us.

Still, that doesn't mean he is going to look forward to my sisters visiting.

Dear Psyche,

It's Alia. Cora and I have both received your letters...though it was strange that you addressed it to our parents...

I scoff out loud. It turns into an embarrassed laugh. I should have known Hermes would skip the parent delivery part and just give it directly to Cora and Alia. He would know how to find them, of course.

I am glad nevertheless that you reached out. Sisters should not be separated forever after all. We would be glad to join you if you make arrangements for our transport, given your location must remain such a mystery.

Simply let us know when.

Love, Alia.

When, indeed. I clutch the letter to myself, contemplating this before I make the plan real.

That night, when my husband returns, I offer up the letter. He reads it quietly, his only response asking when I would like them to come.

I'm taken aback. "I suppose as soon as possible. If that's alright?"

"Of course," he hands the paper back in my direction. "Just write your letter to confirm, and I will deliver it this time."

I swallow down any words. There is no point in refuting that Hermes has visited me by this point. If this overly concerned him I'm sure he would do something about it.

"What will you do when you meet them? I mean...will you meet them?" I ask.

"They will meet me...in spirit, as you did," he answers tentatively.

I suppose that is the most I can ask for.

* * * *

Three days later was the time for our visit. Eros - a name that I still only think of in my own head - brought them over with the help of the wind, just as I had once been brought here.

To watch you sister's fly mid-air, was truly a surreal moment. I found myself waving frantically and excitedly as they wafted in. It wasn't until our greeting hugs were out of the way, that they complained about the form of transportation...and reality quickly returned.

Married, or not, we are the same sisters we have always been.

And quite obviously, I found that Cora was pregnant. A detail everyone failed to mention until this moment.

"I wanted to see this surprised delight on your face when I arrived," Cora gestures towards my blank face, exchanging a glance with our other sister, Alia.

Alia doesn't seem too interested in homouring Cora. Instead she is fixated on me. "You still wear it."

I know instantly she means the pendant. I reach for it instinctively, happy to fiddle with it under their prying eyes. I wear it without a thought, but even if I didn't I would have gladly donned it for her today.

They, on the other hand, are all wearing an array of jewelry that I have never seen before. All more grand than I have ever seen on them.

"All gifts from your husband's, I presume?"

They nod enthusiastically.

I gesture for them to come inside. "I'm glad. You must all be very happy." I want to say more, perhaps involving the word 'spoiled' but I hold my tongue.

A skill I am improving vastly on. Thank the Gods.

"Pretty little house," Cora observes, eyeing the entrance hall like a hawk searching for prey. The prey being a pinpointed design flaw. 

I scrunch my nose. Alia catches my expression and rolls her eyes. I can't tell if she agrees with me or our sister. Either way, after my reluctant tour, as they sit down for tea with me in the kitchen, I am feeling extraordinarily separated from them. 

I watch my tea stir around as they sneak whispers at one another, as if I don't have peripheral vision to catch it.

Wasn't it always this way?

"So where is this husband of yours? Are you intentionally hiding him from us?" Cora finally starts a conversation. 

Alia catches my eye, slight concern written on her face. Am I self-conscious that he hasn't shown up yet? Yes. Just the same as I am on the matter of him not showing his face at all. 

"He isn't home yet. He's very busy." I try to pull it off without a hitch. Unsuccessfully. 

"Suspicious, don't you think? I thought he would pick us up himself, make a gallant first impression to his sister-in-laws...you would think." Cora carries on. 

Alia hesitantly nods with her. "I love you, Psyche, but it is odd. We don't want to have to worry about you out here on your own with this man. Why isn't he here?"

"He is working. He works every day," my response is weak, but it's true. I know he is genuinely working, but I can't tell them what he does. "He's due home very soon, I'm sure." 

Cora scoffs. "They are always working, aren't they? My husband is going to leave me all alone with the baby once they come. I don't know what I would do without my handmaidens! I'm surprised you don't have any here to maintain this place." 

"It is very clean," Alia pipes up for me.

I give her a look of thanks. "We maintain the place together, actually." 

"Oh! Lovely..." Cora makes a face, surprised by the idea. 

She never cared to clean growing up, or peep her head into our family kitchen while dinner was being prepared. I, on the other hand, did. I learned, and watched, and now I know how to do it for myself. 

"Do you have any ideas for the baby's name?" I ask her, after a moment of silence. 

"Oh, I suppose I will name them after mother or father, depending on if it is a boy or a girl." Cora says, filled with pride at the idea. "Why? Are you daydreaming of naming your own?" 

"Just making conversation." I say dismissively. 

At first, I wanted to have a true conversation with them. If things felt differently, perhaps I would have. Before they leave, hopefully I will feel at liberty to speak truthfully with them, but I have little hope of that. 

I wanted to tell them that I suspect that I might be pregnant as well. And I don't know what to do about it. With a husband that I can't see, am I truly going to see his eyes for the first time through my child? 

We converse for a while longer, each of them describing their wedding days and home life with their new family's. As for myself, there wasn't much for me to disclose to them. They left little space for me to add anything regardless. 

Until, finally, an hour or so later, I hear the door creak open, followed by the flutter of wings.