Stories from the Polycule by Elisabeth Sheff

Author:Elisabeth Sheff [Sheff, Elisabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thorntree Press
Published: 2015-06-23T04:57:08+00:00

Part IV: Things fall apart

Moments

Dominica Malcolm

Living in Malaysia in a polyamorous marriage is a lot harder as a woman than it is for a man, at least in my experience. My husband has had a Filipino girlfriend for years and the only men I’ve met who are interested in me are would-be cheaters. The single men I meet are scared of the idea of my husband knowing about us—cheating and monogamy seem to be the only acceptable options. I’m resigned to only making friends, and with my interests, they tend to be men.

I start spending one-on-one time with Lee after realising that he’s tried to include me in conversations for months when others haven’t made the same effort. I also recall him telling me, for the second time, that he enjoyed seeing me on stage years ago. Lee discusses movies a lot, and my previously movie-rich life has been sorely lacking since having children. I think it would be nice to have a new movie buddy—and his schedule means that I can watch movies with him while my husband works.

*

It’s February; three months into my friendship with Lee, and my husband quit his job with nothing lined up. Lee knows that much, and my husband and I figured we would still be able to stay in Malaysia until our visas expired, giving us plenty of time to find something else, possibly having to move somewhere else. We were wrong.

I send a panicked message to Lee. FUCK FUCK FUCK. Jeremy just told me some really fucked up shit. We may have to leave the country before October.

Ten minutes later, Lee responds. What?! That’s it? So quick . . . Wow. I really don’t know what to say right now. Once I’m done with the show, we’ll meet okay? That’ll be on Sunday. Relax and don’t let this take you down okay? Talk to me.

I explain a little of what’s going on, and add, We might try and stay using Malaysia My Second Home, but if we decide to do that, I’d really like some help finding a place for us to move to. Do you think you might be able to help me with that?

Lee replies, Of course! Anything to help you guys get through this. Heck, if you say the words I’m sure the whole community would also lend a hand. Don’t hold back! Your mind must be mushed right now, but take things one at a time okay? You can get through this.

*

It’s Sunday, and I’m holding back the emotion from escaping my eyes, avoiding the prospect of leaving as best as I can. Lee is sitting opposite me at my dining table while my husband is out with our kids and his girlfriend. I need the privacy to vent about everything that’s been happening, but then our conversation switches to one of our favourite topics.

“I loved She’s All That because I could relate to Rachael Leigh Cook’s character. The shy, dorky girl. I never got the transformation she got, though,” I say.

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