Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
I smile, wondering how much to tell her. "That's a long story. What about you?" I’m not sure how much I want to tell her about my undercover work, though there’s no reason to be worried.
"I'm a patient at the fertility wing," Melissa says.
“Oh,” I say. “Well, you’re in the right place.”
I wait until we grab our coffee and sit down, before asking her for details. "What's wrong?" I ask her, falling into the pattern of our past friendship where we were open with each other.
Melissa sighs. "I'm married. I got married three years ago to Nelson. I sent you an invitation but you didn't respond." Nelson was in college with us as well and both of them were studying business courses.
Embarrassment floods me. "I didn't see it." That's the truth but I used to go weeks without looking at my personal email and when I did, I sometimes deleted things without reading them. Especially emails with attachments. Shame floods me, confronted by my past bad behavior. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. That was a long time ago and we were still kids. Do you work here?” She sips her coffee and looks at me waiting for my answer.
It takes less than two seconds to make a decision. “I work at Lifestyle Magazine,” I begin and her face lights up with a smile.
“That’s awesome. I knew you would do it. Nelson and I talk about you every so often and wonder whether you became a writer. He’ll be happy to hear that.”
I’m touched that they remember me after I just disappeared from their lives. I sip my coffee and tell her the whole story of how I got the assignment from my editor.
“How exciting,” Melissa says. “Tell me more.”
“I’m afraid I haven’t made as much progress as I thought I would. I’ve only interviewed a few patients who are happy to have their stories published.”
“Count me among them,” Melissa says. “I’d be happy to tell you my story but I’m just starting and I’m not sure I have anything to report yet.” She shrugs in a gesture I remember so well. I can’t believe that I let my friendship with Melissa fade away.
“Nelson and I can’t have children of our own. His sperm count is low, almost non-existent.” She sounds so sad as she says this. I try to imagine being married to Jace and being unable to bear his children. “We agreed to go with a sperm donor. I came by for information and to understand the process. Then we can take it from there.”
“Will Nelson be comfortable sharing your story?” I ask her.
Melissa frowns. “Maybe not. I don’t know. Could we use pseudonyms?”
“Sure we could, and thank you, that’s a really kind offer.” Especially considering that we’re no longer in each other’s lives.
Melissa smiles. “I have something else that will excite you. Georgina, one of the embryologists is my cousin. That’s why I picked this clinic. If you like, I can dig a bit for you.”
“Would you?” I’m so excited I can barely speak. Now that is someone who would know most of the secrets of the clinic. “How long has she worked here?”
“Six years,” Melissa says. “I know because she mentioned it a few weeks ago. She’s lovely and we’re close.”
“Won’t she wonder why you’re asking so many questions?” I ask her. I don’t want to be too hopeful but it would be fantastic if it worked out. She would have good, solid information.
“She won’t,” Melissa said with a mischievous glint in her eye. “I ask a lot of questions in conversations. It drives my colleagues at work crazy. Have you forgotten that about me?” She laughs gaily.
“I do remember now,” I say and laugh along. Melissa could drive you crazy with her zillion and one questions. “I’m so excited. This assignment might be a success after all.”
“I’ll do my best and help where I can,” Melissa says. “I never forgot what a good friend you were to me when I needed it.” She lost her mom when we were in college and for months she couldn’t keep up with her assignments. Nelson and I organized for her friends and classmates to do them for her.
“Thank you so much. What good luck it was bumping into you.” From the corner of my eye, I spot Jace walking in. My face grows heated as I feel his gaze on me. For a few seconds, I’m worried he’ll come to our table, but he doesn’t.
Melissa and I chit chat a bit longer. I ask about her siblings and I tell her about Marcus and Charlotte, as well as Chris.
“I can’t believe you guys are still friends,” she says.
I shift uncomfortably. She doesn’t ask but I’m sure the question going through her mind was why Chris did not get booted from my life. “Yeah, well.” Chris remained in my life because he wouldn’t let me go. Even when I retreated from everyone or built walls. He waited patiently until I was ready to be friends again.