The Book
2 Isaac was Leah’s father, and Leah Isaac’s mother. And Isaac was also Leah’s brother.
2 And they were the same.
3 Isaac dreamed Leah, and Leah Isaac, and they left dreaming, for the dream was illusive.
4 And together they birthed themselves.
5 And still. There they met. In that city.
6 At night she commandeered his pants, tickled toes, and tasted the salted skin of his clavicular recession.
7 Sneaking beneath covers, she inspected his side—hunting for a seam to mirror her own.
8 But Isaac’s sides were untouched, and (upon examination) hers imaginary.
9 Leah exhaled deeply as the sun peeked through the window and across the threadbare sheets.
10 Isaac awoke, stirred, lifted the covers, and peered at her through the shifting light.
11 And Isaac said, You were born to be weary.
12 And Leah said, You were born to laugh.
13 Isaac responded in a gentle voice, Your gods are cruel and mine just: perhaps I should persuade you to believe in mine.
14 At this Leah wept and slithered further under the covers and came out at the end of the bed, walked into the closet, and sat naked on the floor: hiding herself behind the hanging furs and evening gowns of her late mother.
15 Behind these items she crossed back through the history of Isaac and Leah and the city.