Chapter 4
959 Words
"Is that all Ms. White?"
I nod to Carl after loading one suitcase and one duffle into the trunk.
"Yep. If I need anything else I can just drop by and pick it up later."
The ginger man smiles and opens my door before driving us back to the Moretti's. I'd been ready
right on time and I hope Carl with accentuate that news to my possible boss.
After pulling up in the driveway, I see Troy in a similar suit to last night's waiting on the porch.
His hands are stuffed in his pockets and that hard look is back on his face.
"Tess, come with me. Carl will take your bags to your room."
I thank the driver and rush after an already walking Troy. Man, he takes large steps. He takes me
the same way Jasmine did last night and I wonder why were going to the kitchen.
"I assume you ate breakfast?"
Even though it was only fifteen almonds, I nod. It's a normal breakfast for me anyway.
"Wonderful. That's actually part of what were discussing this morning," he says pulling out my
chair.
Two minutes later, there are notepads, calendars, and schedules layed out in front of us. Troy
picks up a blue pen and moves a blank notebook towards himself while clearing his throat.
"Would you say you eat healthy foods?"
Considering I only buy cheap produce at Aldi, junk food isn't really an option for me.
"Yes."
Troy nods, pleased with my answer.
"Good. We'll make sure you keep that up if you do end up being Jasmine and I's surrogate. What
are the general foods that you eat?"
"Apples, bananas, almonds, strawberries, and sometimes a hotdog from a vender on West
Avenue."
I leave out the fact that Jerry only gives me the older hot dogs that are close to expiring. Most of
the time, it the best meal I eat in a week.
Troy furrows his brow before looking surprised, followed by an appalled expression.
"That's it?!"
I nod. His voice is as harsh as his cold look and I try hard not to shrink in fear.
"My God, is that why you're so thin? If you're going to hold a baby, you need to learn to eat
more than that and get a far more nutritious diet!"
He writes something on his pad and I strain to see if it's a negative review. I hope this doesn't
ruin my chances.
"My best friend is a nutritionist. I'll have him work with you on what to eat when you're
pregnant. Do you have an exercise routine?"
"No..."
I honestly can't afford to work out. I need to keep as many calories in my body as possible. It's
not exactly unusal for me to faint from malnutrition. Thinking of all these problems makes me
feel like I won't be a good surrogate, but I suppose that's for this couple to decide.
"We can work on that when you start eating right."
Closing the notebook, he crosses his fingers and looks at me curiously.
"Tell me about yourself."
"I'm Tess."
It takes a minutes to think of anything else, but I do what I can while trying to be honest.
"Normally I just work all day at my primary job. When I'm not doing that, I'm either working a
secondary job or job hunting for anything that pays. Sleeping is good too."
Troy looks at me dumbly with a stunning Ed expression.
"That's it? You work ALL day and never... I do t know... Go to the spa?"
I scrunch my face and frown a bit at his question. Who has time for that? If I spend my money on
a massage, I won't eat for a week.
"No. I can't afford to."
Troy's gaze turns sad and he's silent for a moment before standing abruptly.
"Well let's go then. I'll get Jasmine and we'll all go to the spa together."
"Do men go to spa's" I ask skeptically. I thought they were for women, but his hardly laugh has
me doubting.
"Yes Tess. They do everything there. Massages, haircuts, mudbaths, you name it."
Half an hour later, Jasmine, Troy, and I are all walking into the most lavish place I've ever seen.
The open space is all white and peach colored with workers making soft conversation with their
clients. Is this heaven? While Troy does something at the front desk, I turn to Jasmine and smile.
"Do you come here often?"
She nods once and looks at her three inch long yellow orange nails before holding them up to
me.
"I got these done two weeks ago. These people are miracle workers."
She looks me up and down with a frown.
"Maybe they could work one with you."
I look at the ground in embarrassment. I know I look pretty average, but I don't want the obvious
surgery Jasmine had. Even if it makes her look pretty, it just wouldn't work with me.
"Okay ladies, we're all set. What do you want to do first Tessa?"
I look around and see that there's a facial station closest to us, so I point there.
"Good choice," Troy compliments putting a hand on my back and leading me there.
"Ugh! That's stupid," Jasmine complains. "I'm getting the bee treatment first."
Even though I can't see her, I can hear her heels clacking away from us.
"Don't worry. She only thinks it's stupid because her face could be covered in acne and you'd
never know with how much makeup she wears," Troy snickers.
I laugh a bit too, but find it strange how a husband makes fun of his wife's appearance. Does he
not like it? Why is he with her if he doesn't?
- Writer
