Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Reeta turns to Naomi, again touching her arm, and then moving to hold her hand. Naomi sits quietly, waiting.

“I grew up in a strict, traditional Sami family. I loved my family, but I was…different. For one, I was always fascinated with technology and all things from the more modern world of parts to the south. I dreamed of going to Paris or London, of studying fashion, or finance, or really anything that would take me out of Lapland. I said these things aloud, which always set my father off on a rant. I was the bad child next to Beartu, whom everyone adored.”

Naomi feels like a response is expected, “Oh, I know about family tensions. But that’s a story for another time. Please, go on.”

“I know, for a long time, that I am more interested in women than men. It is true that this is not so strange these days, but in Sami culture, it is forbidden.”

Naomi was taken aback by this statement. Forbidden?