Seth helps me shower after my bath, standing firm behind me, making sure that I don't slip. The oil, which smells like coconut, marula, and olive, among other kinds of oil, leaves my hair thick and almost impenetrable. It takes Seth three shampoos to get his first lather, and then he massages my scalp, almost putting me to sleep right where I stand. I close my eyes, leaning into him, putting all my weight on him because I know he can support it.
He wraps me in a towel as he walks me back into the bedroom, picking out some clothes for me—our clothes are now blended, and it's strange how this is the first thing that reminds me I'm in a different place than before. I can't see through the opaque curtain that covers the window, and I have no desire to peel it back to see what's outside. Not
