Where There is Comfort

As Lila and Eric waited in her home for word from Alex, Eric began complaining of abdominal discomfort. He began pressing his hand against his abdomen and beads of sweat started to form all over his face- even his glasses began to fog. Lila placed her hand against his forehead and ordered him to sit on the reclining chair.

"You're warm to the touch," she said. "Are you coming down with something?"

Walking slowly to the recliner, Eric mumbled. "No, this is a normal manstruation symptom."

"Every time?" Lila asked, surprised that she hadn't known about this as she reached for her phone.

Eric made it to recliner and gingerly sat down while holding his abdomen. He sat down with a grimace and a moan. "Just the first few hours," he answered. "It's painful. I don't think women would be able to deal with this pain."

Scrolling through her phone, Lila began searching for interim immediate remedies for manstrual cramps while the pain killers took effect.

She saw a few suggestions that she could get going and got busy. She grabbed a towel from the towel closet and tossed it in the dryer and then walked briskly to the kitchen to warm up water for chamomile tea. She grabbed a few pillows from the bedroom and promptly placed them behind Eric's back. She leaned over to recline the seat. "How's that?" She asked as she stared at his handsome face.

He nodded. "That's nice," he whispered with his eyes closed.

Lile brushed his hair away from forehead, hating that pain was a part of manstruation. It seemed like such a futile symptom.

The dryer buzzed down the hall, Lila immediately went away to grab it. She opened the door, rushing to fold the hot terrycloth fabric as she walked to Eric's side. "Her," she placed it against his abdomen and secured his arms over the towel on his abdomen. "Hold it tight, that should take the edge off the pain."

A whistling sound came from the kitchen.

"I'm going to bring you some tea, I read it should help."

Eric nodded as he eased into the recliner.

In no time, Lila handed him a delicate white cup with a saucer and move the plush white ottoman near him. She removed his shoes and began to massage his feet. "Let me know if there is anything else I can do to make you more comfortable."

"Yeah, thanks," he whispered as he took a sip. "This is great."

Lila smiled. She looked back at his foot and rubbed them.

There was a knock at the door.

Thinking it was Alex, she immediately dropped Eric's foot and went to answer the door. She frowned for a moment until her brain caught up with the actual person at the door. "Sebastian," she uttered with a hint of shock.

Looking at the strange expression on his face she immediately opened the door widely invited him in.

"Honey, come inside. Tell me what's wrong," she pulled him in gently by the arm and closed the door; she led him to the sofa near where Eric was sitting.

As if just seeing the other man, Sebastian startled. His eyes went from Eric to Lila.

"Hey, man," he offered a fist to Eric. The two men fist bumped.

"You alright?" Eric quickly straightened the recliner, sitting up straight before bending forward to put on his sneakers.

The younger man's eyes caught the action. His eyes darted to Lila. "I'm sorry- I'm interrupting." He shook his head roughly and began walking toward the door.

Lila was quick to catch up to him, grabbing an arm before he reached the door.

"Eric wasn't feeling well, is all. You're not interrupting anything," she pulled on his arm, leading him back to the seating area. "Sebastian, I want to know what's going on. I can see something is bothering you."

Eric stood slowly. "Would you prefer to speak in privacy?"

The green-eyed man looked at Eric's blues. "No, it's not that. You know what I've been through."

Lila stared at Eric with a serious expression and pointed a finger at him. "Sit down," she commanded before turning back to Sebastian. She grabbed his hand and held it gently. "Come," she sat down, pulling his arm. The inertia brought him down until his bottom made contact with the soft cushions.

Lila sighed and crossed her legs as she stared intently at Sebastian's face. "Can I get you anything?" She asked.

He shook his head curtly.

"Then tell me what's wrong," she ordered. When he hesitated, she tried to prompt him to speak. "Are you in pain?"

"No!" Sebastian immediately said. "Nothing like that."

Lila sighed again - this time from sheer relief. "Tell me. Now."

Sebastian placed an elbow against the armrest of the sofa and placed his hand against his forehead as his eyes stared ahead without focus. "The guilt of-" he halted before taking a few breaths. He turned toward Lila. "It's killing me," he confessed.

Lila waited for him to continue. She had a strong feeling there was more than just guilt causing this reaction in him. She could see Eric through her periphery. She hoped he would stay silent as well.

After a moment, Sebastian continued. He looked at Lila's way briefly before returning his gaze at the nothingness ahead of him. "I thought I could go to church and feel better," he whispered as he shook his head violently. "It didn't work."

The sound of Eric snorting filled the room.

"Eric! What the hell!" Lila immediately shot visual daggers at him as she snapped at him.

Sebastian didn't react.

Eric slowly stood, tossing the warm towel Lila had given him on the recliner and walking toward the other two people in the room. He stood between the two, looking at Lila and motioning for her to scoot over.

Lila rolled her eyes before acquiescing to Eric's request.

Wasting no time, Eric sat down, quickly manspreading and leaning forward.

"Let me guess," Eric smacked Sebastian's upper arm with the back of his hand. "You thought telling a priestess about the dissolution would rid you of your guilt, but instead of giving you absolution she scolded you about extinguishing life and let you walk out without giving you a penance."

Lila saw Sebastian frown. Slowly he turned his head toward Eric. "How do you know?" He asked in awe.

Eric looked at Lila quickly and then turned back to Sebastian. "Because that's what happened with me."