++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++
The hospital cafeteria's coffee was bad as usual.
“So in summary,” I said over the cold cup of black coffee, “I can get you pregnant. The method is experimental but it is medically risk free. And we can deliver it to you at no cost on your part. However we reserve the right to continuously run tests on you, your partner, and your conceived child for the next three years in order to collect data.”
“I-is t-this a joke?!” Carol said, looking scandalized.
“I assure you, it is not.”
“This is the most devastating day of my life and you come up with this kind of shit?! Who are you???”
“Carol. Please. Look at me. I am being absolutely serious. I know it sounds crazy. Believe me. I’ve been there. It is highly unorthodox, but please hear me out.”
“I-I’m leaving.” Carol said shaking with anger, "How can you even suggest something like that!"
I snatched her hand and pushed my card onto her palm. “Think about it. Then contact me if you want to talk. Ultimately, you’re free to decide,” I said.
Carol stared at the card in her hand for a minute. She then pushed it into her handbag and then hurried out of the coffee shop.
++++++++++++++++
Back at the lab, I reported my meeting with Carol to the other two.
“Well, I guess that response is to be expected,” Cassandra said.
Elizabeth nodded. “Could have gone worse.”
“What’s the status of our current trials?” I asked.
Elizabeth checked her laptop. “I’ve just cleared and closed case 52,” She reported, “That's another complete success for the books. Cases 53 to 59 are on track. Now that I think about it, do we even need to do another run, Audrey? It’s pretty conclusive at this point. The treatment works. Actually it works too well.”
“Well,” I said, “60 is a good round number don’t you think? Plus I feel sorry for Carol.”
“Well, there is that,” Cassandra said, “That poor woman. I hope she takes the chance with us. But I must say, I'm not optimistic. You read her profile. She's highly conservative.”
I smiled sadly and nodded at my two friends. The girls and I sure have come a long way together.
Cassandra, Elizabeth, and I met in university and we’ve been stuck at the hip ever since. We even married our long-time boyfriends about the same time and were bridesmaids at each other’s ceremonies. To top it off, we even got pregnant and gave birth around the same time. We are about the same age, in our mid 30s, and share many similar interests, including a penchant for yoga and working out, our stylish fashion sense, our interest in raising our kids, and our dedication to the scientific discipline.
We were so close that people often suggested that we were sisters. Then again, to our male colleagues, all hot women look the same, so there's that.
My friends were about the same height as me and were each uniquely beautiful in their own way. Cassandra keeps her hair in a modern shoulder-length styled cut. Elizabeth keeps hers long and silky straight, often in a pony tail. I prefer to let my hair down. The three of us take very good care of ourselves and have tirelessly sculpted our bodies to achieve our alluring, curvy forms.
I checked my watch. “We should be clocking out,” I said, “Dinner date with the hubbies, remember?”
Cassandra giggled. “And don’t forget dessert with the boys!” she added.
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Our hubbies are Wilson, Gerald, and Francis for Cassandra, Elizabeth and me, Audrey, respectively. Completing our picture perfect families are the light of our lives, Sean, Lester, and Jason, who are respectively our sons in that order. They are 17 this year.
It was one of those Fridays where our hubbies were available, and our kids had tuition classes. That gave our hubbies and us the perfect opportunity to get together and socialize.
We went to a new gourmet Italian place downtown. The pasta and wine were spectacular and we had a good time. Wilson, Gerald, and Francis were all working in finance, so they had much in common. As usual, the conversations eventually split into two halves, the boy talk and girl talk. There were some crossovers here and there, but that’s more of an exception.
Since they were practically in shirts and ties all day, our hubbies opted for more casual slacks and polo shirts. The girls and I wore knee-length, tight bodycon skirts and colorful stylish blouses.
We stayed until almost 9pm. By then the plates were mostly polished, as well as 3 bottles of wine. Meanwhile, Cass, Liz and I were still swirling our first glass of wine while conversing with each other.
“I think it’s time we put our hubbies to bed,” Liz said, giggling.
True enough, our husbands were starting to sound slurred. They gave us disapproving looks, as if maintaining that they are perfectly able to hold their alcohol. While that may be true, it was almost closing time for the restaurant anyway.
After paying the bill, we drove our husbands home.
“Mmmm... Remember to fetch Jason,” Francis said groggily.
“I know la. You make sure you brush your teeth before bed. You reek of wine,” I replied.
I dropped Francis off at our house and drove to the tuition center where my son was taking lessons. After just a little while longer, teenagers started streaming out of the center. I was parked at the usual spot so I was sure Jason knows where to find me.
My boy Jason is 17 years old this year. He is tall, handsome, and does exceptionally well at school. As a mother, I am very proud of him.
Jason found my car and entered the front passenger seat. I could immediately feel my posture instinctively perk up, sitting up straight, pushing my chest forwards, as if all my senses were tuned to his presence immediately. Such is the effect that he now exudes. I took note of it with pleasure. He was maturing nicely.
“Jason, how was classes?” I asked as I put the car in drive gear.
“Boring...” Jason replied.
“That’s because you are a smart boy. It's okay if you don't take tuition as seriously as school. Just make sure your grades remain up.”
“Okay mummy,” Jason replied. He was at that age where his voice was developing that low baritone. It sent delicious shivers up my spine... As did his fingers, tracing a line up my knee and inner thigh, hiking up my skirt.
“Naughty!” I said, grinning at him. “Careful ah. Later accident.”
“Just touch abit only, mummy, I promise,” he said, as he squeezed my supple, shapely, milk-white thigh.
I let out a shuddered sigh and continued driving, letting my son feel his mother’s silky smooth shaven legs. Instead of home I drove us to a newly built condo complex and parked in the condominium basement. When I turned off the engine, Jason reached over to pull me against him. I melted in his arms as my son frenched me.
We played with each other’s tongues until I managed to draw back for a breather. “Come on, we’re late! The others are waiting.”