Our Wives Under the Sea

Miri recalls attending a party at the Centre before Leah’s expedition. She would like to think that she had some sort of warning about the consequences of this particular journey, but she remembers nothing out of the ordinary. After all, “Leah had gone and returned many times before and I had no reason to presume this trip would be any different” (36). Miri also recalls meeting Jelka, one of the other crew members.

Miri reflects on her mother, dealing with her illness and death. She thinks of her mother’s easily offended sensibilities and the emotional distance between mother and daughter. She then notes that, when Leah speaks now, which is rare, she talks only about scientific details or other general facts. She is not actually speaking to Miri.

Leah reflects on the formlessness of the ocean as she, Jelka, and Matteo become accustomed to the fact of their steady sinking. Leah is not really concerned about dying, though she is vaguely aware that they will not be able to resurface.

Leah remembers when her father taught her how to swim at the age of seven. His method was unorthodox: He threw her into the water and told her not to drown.