THE SWORD AND SICKLE

CHAPTER THREE: LAIDA

THE SWORD AND SICKLE

PART ONE

CHAPTER THREE 

LAIDA

A few months before calling Levi on behalf of his wife, Jim found out he was sterile, and Laida wanted children. She wanted a passel of them, but it was not to be. She tried to comfort her husband, but nothing seemed to work. He lost interest in sex, and he looked like a neutered dog curled up, weary of anyone touching him. Emotionally, he did not heal and became distant. She adjusted to the situation by busying herself with other things. She missed the flesh-on-flesh contact with her husband, and after a while, she selected a photographer as a lover. He was not as good as Jim, but he satisfied the itch. Jim began to notice a change in his wife. Her affection returned to him, and she became more passionate. Realizing it was not her fault, she became more understanding. She convinced him to seek help from a doctor. At first, he felt embarrassed to talk about it to his doctor, but finally he gathered enough courage to make an appointment.

"Doctor, I have a problem. Ever since you told me that I was sterile. I am unable to make love to my wife."

The doctor replied, "This is not unusual, Jim. This is an emotional issue for you and others in your condition. They feel that their purpose in life is to reproduce, and when this natural feeling of manhood suddenly disappears, impotence may be the resulting symptom. Jim, I have a good friend who is a sex counselor, and believe me, she is extremely good, if you know what I mean. If you would like, I will make a referral."

Jim was not sure he could talk to a strange woman about his condition. "Thank you. I will talk to my wife about it." He did not go directly home, he headed to the nearest bar for a drink. After a few beers, he headed home and confided in Laida, "Laida, the doctor wants me to see a sex therapist, but I am not sure it is the right thing for me."

Laida reached out with her left arm and embraced him as they sat on the couch. "Jim, I love you. I'll tell you the truth...I am not able to live in a sexless marriage." Jim's countenance turned into a saddened expression. He lowered his head and placed his chin on his chest. She saw his look and said, "You need help, and believe me, but this is something you can overcome. You need to go see this woman. What did the doctor say about her?"

The doctor said, "She is extremely good at her job."

"I don't have a problem with you seeing a sexual surrogate?"

"Well, I am afraid of what she will do to make me erect. Honey, I haven't had sex with anyone else since we became a couple."

"Jim, you have my permission to do what you need to do in order to get that lovely penis to pay attention to me. This is medical, and you need help."

"You are saying I can have sex with her?"

"Honey, this is her profession; she is a sexual surrogate, and she is not going to form any feelings for you."

"I am not worried about her, I am worried about me. What if I can easily get over my fears of having sex with her and am still unable to satisfy you.... Then what?"