Yin Su suspected the village women were growing weary of bringing her food and tending to her chores. If more than one came by, she heard comments as they approached the birthing hut.

“Thirty days recovery. Ridiculous.”

“She should be back to work like we are.”

“They may do this in the city, but this is the countryside. Life is different here.”

Everyone was polite to her face.

Her Husband showed his displeasure. Without Yin Su to help, he had to feed the animals. He complained loudly while going about the tasks. One day he completely forgot. He stayed away the entire night. Yin Su was full of questions when her closest neighbor brought food the next day. “My Husband did not return last night. Do you know where he was?”

“I do not. Perhaps he slept at the gate.”

“The animals must be fed.”

“Yin Su, I have animals of my own. You have been abed half a month. Surely your strength has returned. You are not in the city any longer. We honor different gods. They do not mind if we work. In fact, they prefer it.”

Yin Su felt shame. Had she taken advantage of her neighbors? “I will see to the animals.”

She ate the food and nursed her baby. Pride filled her as she gazed into the innocent eyes of her child. She admitted to herself that she was enjoying her time with only her child to care for. But others needed her.

Yin Su took a piece of cloth and wrapped it over one shoulder and under the opposite arm forming a sling where her baby could rest. She tightened it to strap the child close and give her free use of both hands. She walked out of the birthing hut for the first time since the Third-Day Celebration.

The animals were hungry. Pigs grunted and chickens clucked. They recognized her presence and crowded around as she spread grain. It exhausted her to feed and water them, but it was accomplished. She was headed back to the birthing hut when her Husband appeared.

“So you do have strength. You can feed and water the animals, but you cannot come to my bed.”

“You did not return last night. The animals were hungry.”

“And the garden needs tending. And I need attention. You have recovered sufficiently. Return to your normal routines.” He took Yin Su by the arm and led her to the kitchen. “Prepare the evening meal.”

Yin Su could think of no alternative. To return to the hut would arouse her husband’s ire. It was far easier to do as he said.

She prepared what she could and placed his bowl before him. She retreated to the kitchen while he ate. The sun was low on the horizon. Her husband stirred. “It is time to sleep. You will not avoid your duties.”

When Yin Su entered the sleeping room her Husband was waiting. He watched while she fashioned cloth and laid it in a circle next to her sleeping mat. The cloth would hold the child and prevent her from turning over. She gently laid the child on the cloth bed and crawled onto her sleeping mat.

Her Husband was ready. He pulled Yin Su to him. His hands felt rough, his touch hurried. “I have waited too long,” he said as he mounted her. Yin Su cried out. The child awoke. Yin Su turned her head to speak and comfort the aroused child. Her Husband put his hand over her mouth and continued his assault. He finished just as the child began to cry. “Make it stop,” he said.

Yin Su arose from the sleeping mat and picked up the fretful baby. She cooed and rocked her until she was quiet, then placed her back on the protective pile of cloth. She crept onto her sleeping mat and fell into a deep sleep.

>>>>><<<<<

The sun was high in the sky when Yin Su awoke to a neighbor woman peeking in. “Yin Su, you are back in the marriage bed?”

“What?”

“I see you could not wait to return to your husband. You will need this for energy.” She giggled as she held up a bowl of food.

“Oh, thank you.” Yin Su looked to the place where she had left her child. Empty. “You have my child?” she asked.

There was confusion on the woman’s face. “No. I only just arrived and could not find you in the birthing hut. I came inside to look for you.”

Yin Su arose in a flash. She looked in every corner of the house but could not find her child. She called to her. The neighbor woman joined in the search. They looked in the birthing hut, in the corral with the animals, in the garden, and found only those things that belonged there.

Her Husband! Her Husband must have the child.

Yin Su broke into a run out of the house and down the long pathway to the gate. Her husband was there, lounging nearby, the road empty of passers-by.

“Where is our child?” She was out of breath. Yet the words were clear and loud.

“The child is gone.”

“Gone? Gone where?”

“To a place where it will not wake me in the night.”

“Wake you? All children cry for their mothers in the night. It was your request that we return to the house.”

“I requested that my wife return. I will not suffer the cries of a female child. As you have said, you will give me a man-child next time. I will gladly listen to the cries of a man-child.”

“What?” It took a few moments for Yin Su to grasp the full meaning of his words.

“I do not wish to discuss it further,” he said.

Silent tears streamed down Yin Su’s face as she returned home to an empty house.

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