Sal accepted the epidural anesthetic but it was still the worst physical pain she had ever borne in her life. She was amazed at herself when she didn’t just pass out. Friends had warned her as daintily as they could about the pain and sweat and mess of bodily fluids, all of which they said was worth the trouble. But no one had mentioned that she would see the life of the universe pass before her eyes, and feel the tug of the moon at her heart, and hear the songs of all the waters on the earth.