~ 18 ~ #3
“Great interview,” Freya said. “I’ve saved the file and sent you a copy. I’ve also drafted a follow-up message to the guest on your behalf to thank her for speaking with you today. It’s scheduled to go out in two hours. I’ll get started with the editing.”
“Brilliant. But take the rest of the day off. There’s no need to start it this afternoon.”
Freya’s face softened and she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ears. “Thanks, Lily. I’ll make a start first thing tomorrow.”
I found Rona in the kitchen after I saw Freya out. She looked up at me and grinned as I came in. “I loved it. You are such a great interviewer, Lily!”
“Aw, thanks. She was so cool.”
“She was. It makes me want to go to the gym and pump some iron.”
I crossed the room and embraced her, wrapping my arms around her waist. I hadn’t thought of going to the gym with Rona before. It suddenly seemed very appealing. “Can I join you?”
“Baby, you can take me through a session any day.”
“That’s a date.”
Rona made our Sunday pancakes, complete with blueberries and maple syrup, and we sat down at the kitchen table. I was already planning my edits on the conversation, and the handles I would use on my social media.
“So you liked interviewing her then?” Rona said, cutting into her mountain of pancakes.
“I really did. It was so interesting, and also kind of scary. I had no idea all that was ahead of us. And I had no idea things were that shit. She’s so right! We are not small men.”
“I know. Everything she said was like a revelation. Especially all that about peri peri chicken.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry. Every time either of you said perimenopause, my head kept saying peri peri chicken. I almost blurted it out, but I didn’t. I was proud of that.”
I laughed. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Sorry. This is you finding out how weird I am.”
“Spoiler alert. I already know and approve.”
“That bit when she made the link to ADHD and neurodivergence in their thirties and forties was so good. The way she spoke of the science behind it was so clear and it made so much sense. Even if they already knew they were neurodivergent, it helps younger women and women like me in their mid-thirties to prepare for what’s to come. ”
“Are you worried about it?”
“I am a bit, yes. I don’t take any medication for my ADHD. I manage it on my own. To know that all my hormones are going to change and my neurotransmitters are going to go out of business, it’s not very appealing.”
“Do you struggle with symptoms around your period?”
“I get depressed about a week before it. Easily irritated. Tired. I’m used to it, but I hope it doesn’t get much worse. It’s good to be educated though. The more you know, the more you can navigate things a bit better, right?”
“True.”
“What about you? How are your periods?” Rona blushed. “I can’t believe we haven’t talked about this before.”
“It’s okay. It’s good to talk about, and thanks for sharing what you did with me.
I’m sorry you struggle with those symptoms. I get awful cramps and heavy bleeding.
Sometimes the pain is so bad, it makes me feel sick.
I also get grumpier.” I shrugged. I was used to it too, although it never got any easier.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. Gosh, we’ve both hidden all this from each other so far.”
“Yeah, let’s change that.”
“Agreed. How did you manage to play football through it?”
“A lot of ibuprofen and gritted teeth. There was also the worry of the white shorts.”
“That’s right. Arsenal has white shorts. That must have been a nightmare.”
“Yeah, it’s the last thing you want to be thinking about when you’re playing.”
“God, that must’ve been awful. When I have my period, I’m lucky if I leave my sofa if I can help it.”
“You kind of get used to it. I’m grateful to have my period as it’s so important for health. I know some girls who got so lean their periods stopped. They seemed happy about it because it’s easier. But I’m not sure it’s so great for their overall health and future health, and fertility.”
“Why?”
“What was it that Dr Bright said? Something about the body shutting down periods when it’s starved and choosing to sustain only vital organs.
That it fucks with muscle and bone loss, and hair loss, and the balance of sex hormones when you do start ovulating again.
I’m not sure though. Need to watch that back. ”
“Yes, that’s right, she did. You guys covered so much!”
“You know, talking to you about this now after the interview with Dr Bright, it shows me how important this stuff is and how grateful I am to have a platform to discuss and share about it. I really love this podcast, Rona. It feels like exactly the right thing for me to be doing right now.”
“I love that for you. I’m so happy you’ve found what makes you happy.”
“Even if it takes me away from you more for a while?”
Rona took another bite of pancakes. “Of course. I support you.”
“I know. It’s just I know how disappointed you were this week and about today.”
“It’s fine. I know you’ll make time for me when you have it.”
I nodded, unsure how to proceed. I planned on booking more interviews and throwing myself into this new project even more. “I will.”
“I’m sure a lot of people will find the interview really interesting.”
“I hope so.”