Samantha Felding, with her luminous eyes and gentle smile, effortlessly commanded attention in any social setting. Her intelligence shone through in every conversation, her empathy evident in the way she listened intently to others. Gracious and poised, she navigated social circles with ease, always a beacon of thoughtful consideration.
Whether discussing current events, books, travel or life’s little frustrations, Samantha rarely found herself at a loss for words. She enjoyed listening just as much as speaking, asking thoughtful questions that encouraged others to share their experiences. Friends naturally gravitated towards her because she made them feel heard.
Yet, there was one topic that caused Samantha’s confident façade to waver – sex.
While she was more than capable of discussing almost any subject under the sun, a nervous energy would seize her whenever the conversation veered towards matters of intimacy, and she sought a hasty exit from the discussion. It wasn’t that she considered sex shameful. Rather, she had always viewed intimacy as something deeply private between two people. She found it difficult to understand why others felt so comfortable discussing such personal matters over dinner as though they were talking about the weather.
Whenever conversations drifted in that direction, Samantha could almost feel the warmth creeping into her cheeks before anyone had even looked in her direction. Her smile remained, but inside she was already searching for an escape route.
At a cozy dinner gathering hosted by her old high school friend Anneke and her husband David, Samantha found herself facing the dreaded topic once again. Anneke, her cherubic toddler nestled in her lap, casually inquired about Samantha and her husband Mitchell‘s endeavours to start a family.
“Samantha, Mitchell, any exciting news on the baby front?” Anneke’s voice held a hint of excitement, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
The question itself was innocent enough.
It was the conversation Samantha knew would inevitably follow that made her stomach tighten.
Samantha’s heart skipped a beat, her gaze flickering briefly to Mitchell before quickly averting. Sensing her discomfort, Mitchell shot her a reassuring glance, silently urging her to let him handle it. He knew his wife well enough to recognise the tiny signs others often missed—the way she tightened her grip on her wine glass, the brief hesitation before answering, the polite smile that suddenly looked just a little forced.
“Oh, you know how it is, Anneke,” Mitchell began smoothly, his tone light and casual. “We’re taking things one step at a time, enjoying each other’s company along the way.”
It was a perfect answer.
Warm.
Friendly.
And vague enough to close the subject.
Unfortunately, Anneke’s curiosity seemed unabated.
“Have you been trying anything new? I remember when David and I were trying for Max, we tried all sorts of methods!”
Anneke laughed as she recalled those months, cheerfully describing the advice they had received from friends, the calendars they kept, and the endless suggestions people seemed determined to offer whenever babies came up in conversation. She spoke openly about timing, romance becoming scheduled rather than spontaneous, and the awkwardness that sometimes accompanied trying to conceive.
For Anneke, these memories were simply amusing stories from another chapter of life.
For Samantha, every new sentence made her wish the conversation would end.
She felt the heat rising to her cheeks, her fingers tightening around the stem of her wine glass. She took a small sip, more to buy herself a few seconds than because she wanted another mouthful. Around the table, everyone seemed relaxed, yet Samantha couldn’t shake the feeling that all eyes might suddenly turn towards her.
What could she possibly say?
Laugh it off?
Pretend she hadn’t heard?
The longer she hesitated, the more self-conscious she became.
She searched desperately for a way to steer the conversation away from the uncomfortable territory.
“Actually, Anneke, I’ve been meaning to ask you about that book club you joined recently,” Samantha interjected, her voice just a touch too eager. “Any interesting reads you’d recommend?”
The change of direction was almost seamless.
Anneke’s attention instantly shifted, her face lighting up with enthusiasm as she launched into a lively discussion about her latest literary discoveries. Within moments, everyone at the table was talking about favourite authors, novels they’d enjoyed and books waiting patiently on bedside tables.
Samantha breathed a silent sigh of relief.
Mitchell noticed.
He didn’t mention it. He didn’t need to.
Instead, he simply smiled to himself, recognising a pattern of talk he had experienced many times before. After years together, he understood the deal. Samantha simply believed that some conversations belonged behind closed doors, not around a dinner table with friends over wine glasses and cheesecake dessert.
Throughout the evening, Samantha deftly avoided any further mention of babies or conception, expertly steering the conversation towards safer shores whenever the topic threatened to resurface. The discussion wandered through holidays, home renovations, favourite restaurants, funny childhood memories, and David’s latest attempts to master the barbecue.
The atmosphere became light once again.
Laughter returned.
The awkwardness quietly dissolved.
Looking back on the evening, Samantha couldn’t help wondering how differently it might have unfolded had the conversation remained centred on trying for a baby. Perhaps nobody else had felt uncomfortable. Perhaps Anneke genuinely believed she was simply making conversation. Yet Samantha suspected she was alone.
Not every dinner conversation needs to venture into life’s most intimate corners.
Some topics are better avoided than shared across a crowded dinner table where everyone feels obliged to contribute.
And as the night wore on, amidst laughter and camaraderie, Samantha’s discomfort faded into the background, replaced by the warmth of friendship and the joy of shared moments.
For Samantha, that was exactly how dinner with friends was supposed to end.
For Mitchell, the darkness crept closer.
–Michael (Dark Fiction. Author of SEETHINGS (the first book), free for a limited time)
SEETHINGS promises a gripping psychological thriller that blends murder, passion, and secrets of a sexless marriage. Forman’s vivid prose draws readers into a world where lightning illuminates the skies and hidden truths. As the storm clouds gather, Mitchell’s journey promises to unravel more than just the mystery of the murders.
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