The kids had indeed been fed, and hardly seemed to have missed me, though in few minutes Chloe rushed up to grab my knees with her applesauce-covered hands. I was just in time to get the last of the tomato and basil salad to go with my corn.<\/p>\n
Leif had already slipped out by then. In fact, after our first night in Selu I hadn\u2019t talked much to him. He showed up in his hut long enough to start the fire for us, then he left. It wasn\u2019t hard to figure out he was sleeping with a woman \u2013 or women \u2013 elsewhere in the commune.<\/p>\n
As she had the first time, Chloe fell asleep in my arms on the way there. When we got into the hut this time, Leif was there, blowing on embers. He nodded to us as we came in, but didn\u2019t say anything. I laid Chloe down. Dante, without speaking, curled up next to her and fell asleep. Then, as Leif was getting up to go I asked him if he still thought monogamy was pointless.<\/p>\n
He stopped at the doorway, erect in the orange glow. \u201cIt works for some people.\u201d He thought for a minute. \u201cI guess honesty is the main thing, and caring. Everybody has to agree about the rules.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what are the rules here? Can anybody sleep with anybody?\u201d<\/p>\n
Leif nodded. \u201cAs long as you get agreement from one partner before starting with another.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if your first partner doesn\u2019t agree?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you have to choose, the old one or the new one. Some people here are exclusive. Some people aren\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you get jealous?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course. And we fight. And we make up. Just like married couples. But somehow we keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n
I sat still for a minute, digesting. It took some adjusting to believe that this sort of arrangement was not only possible but actually happening around me in the forest.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy husband is seeing another woman.\u201d My own declaration startled me. I\u2019d been thinking about Charlie, of course. But I hadn\u2019t planned to discuss the situation.<\/p>\n
Leif looked at me for a second then sat down, cross-legged on the other side of the fire pit. \u201cWithout your agreement?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe never said a word to me, just started sending her e-mail messages. Then one day I found him in her bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOuch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what to do.\u201d There was more relief than I expected in admitting that.<\/p>\n
Through the dimness, I could see Leif pull his beard. \u201cDo you still love him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think so. I\u2019m so angry it\u2019s hard to tell.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do you think he\u2019s seeing this other woman?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause she\u2019s younger. Or at least thinner. Because she reads more interesting books. Maybe\u2026\u201d I hesitated. \u201cOur life is very busy. But he never complained. He said he loved me, and then he did this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat reasons does he give?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor seeing her? I wasn\u2019t giving him enough attention.\u201d<\/p>\n