Chapter 2 - Angela again
"And they were on discount!" I beam.
"They compliment your outfit excellently," Maura says. She places her shopping bags on the counter. "I think they will also go well with your purple summer dress."
"Exactly! I just knew I had to buy them. Um...Maura?" I fiddle with my house keys.
"Yes?"
"I saw this person on Dr. Phil that didn't want to have sex."
"Oh did you? That's interesting! I have recorded the show. That will be highly informative to watch."
"Oh uhm..it's not a recent episode. It was on a while back, but I was just thinking about it now." I feel my face redden.
"Oh." She studies me for a moment. "You want to ask me about the condition?"
"Yes, yes exactly."
She smiles a bright smile. "Ask away!" she states as she puts her shopping in the fridge.
I walk to the kitchen island and steady myself. "Uhm...It's not normal, is it? Do these people have a medical problem?" I ask and wince a little at my choice of words.
"Asexuality is mostly neither a medical nor a psychological condition. It simply is another mode on the spectrum of human sexuality. But in some cases a lower libido can certainly be caused by a medical condition. A physical change or a lifestyle change may trigger temporary or permanent loss of libido, for example. Or sometimes hormonal changes in the body makes sex uncomfortable or even painful." She turns towards me. "Women of a certain age often feel less inclined towards sexual activity. That is nothing to worry about, Angela." She studies me intently.
"Oh! No!...No no, not me. I'm not asking for me. I like…., you know...sure some days more than others, but...no."
"Okay," she says as she turns and closes the fridge. I can just tell that she doesn't believe me.
"I'm not asking for me. I'm asking for a friend."
"Who was on dr. Phil?"
Drat. "Well, no...that was a lie, but…"
"Angela, tell your friend that there's nothing wrong with asexuality nor with a temporarily or permanently tempered libido. Any doctor would be glad to speak with her about it. There are gels if sex is painful, for example. Besides, there are many other ways people can enjoy each other's company. Sex does not have to be a pivotal activity within a relationship. There is nothing to worry about."
"Okay. Thanks, Maura. You're such a smartie." I mean it. She's got more brains than all my three children combined. I'm glad to have her in the family, in a manner of speaking. I feel considerably calmer now. There may be something a doctor can do. Maybe he can get Janie some gels and then she can marry someone and have grandchildren.