“Breathe.”
Elias muttered something unrepeatable.
The pastor asked vows.
Elias answered clearly.
Martha did too.
Afterward, outside, someone whispered:
“Wonder how long that lasts.”
Martha heard.
Elias did too.
He turned.
She caught his sleeve.
“No.”
He looked down.
She smiled.
“Come home with your wife.”
He did.
Winter arrived hard.
The cabin became truly theirs.
Martha moved her things from the small room.
Elias built new shelves.
A wider washstand.
A chair reinforced with oak.
She caught him working on the chair.
“Bad joinery?”
“Terrible.”
“Liar.”
“Yes.”
She kissed him.
Their marriage was not magically easy.
Martha had habits formed by shame.
She hid food.
Not because Elias restricted it.
Because years of being watched while eating had made privacy feel safer.
He discovered biscuits wrapped in cloth inside her bedside drawer.
He did not confront her angrily.
One evening he placed a wooden box beside the bed.
Martha looked.
“What’s this?”
“Food box.”
Her face flushed.
“You found them.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why?”
“I shouldn’t…”
Elias sat.
“Martha.”
She looked away.
“You do not need to sneak food in your own house.”
Tears came instantly.
She hated that.
He continued.
“If you are hungry, eat.”
“If you want privacy, keep things here.”
“But not because you’re ashamed.”
She wiped her face.
“I don’t know how to stop.”
“Then don’t stop today.”
She looked at him.
“Just start noticing.”
He kissed her forehead.
Elias had habits too.
He disappeared emotionally when grief hit.
On Benjamin’s birthday, he woke before dawn and rode to the graves without telling Martha.
He returned after dark.
She was furious.
“You scared me.”
“I needed space.”
“Then say that.”
“I didn't think.”
“Exactly.”
He stared.
Martha crossed her enormous arms.
“I will never ask you not to grieve them.”
“But I am alive.”
“If you vanish without a word, I have to wonder whether you’re coming back.”
That hit him.
He apologized.
Not elegantly.
But fully.
Next year, on Benjamin’s birthday, Elias woke early.
Martha was already dressed.
“What are you doing?”
“Coming.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
They walked to the graves.
Martha carried wildflowers.
Elias brought a carved wooden horse.
They sat near the spring.
He told stories.
Benjamin trying to ride a goat.