“That’s my girl. Night.”
She watched him leave. His girl. If only, she thought with a sigh. Because being Daniel’s girl would actually be kind of nice.
* * *
Zennie had debated meeting her mother at a restaurant, but that seemed unfair to both of them, so instead she texted, asking if she could stop by after work. As she walked up to the front door, she told herself that whatever happened, she would be fine. She was doing exactly what she wanted to do, and for the right reasons. If her mother didn’t understand, then that was Mary Jo’s problem.
“Hey, Mom,” Zennie called as she let herself into the house.
“In the kitchen. I’m pouring wine.”
Zennie braced herself and walked into the outdated kitchen. “Hi, Mom.”
Mary Jo smiled at her and poured a second glass of chardonnay. “Just getting off work? You must be tired. I know how my feet feel at the end of the day.” She pointed to the kitchen table. “Have a seat. Are you hungry? I could fix something.”
“I’m fine, but thanks.”
Her mother sat across from her. She picked up her glass. “I’m sorry about the blind date with the lesbian. I was just trying to help.”
Zennie relaxed. “Don’t apologize. C.J. and I actually had a good time.” She held up her hand before her mother could speak. “No, I’m not a lesbian, but I think we’re going to be friends, which works for me.”
“Have you met anyone since then?”
“Mom, please. You have to stop fixing me up.”
“Why? I want you to be happy. I want you to have someone in your life. You’re young now, but time passes quickly and before you know it, your life is more than half over and then what? Don’t you want a family? Don’t you want to be part of something? Surely there’s some handsome doctor at the hospital who could sweep you off your feet. If you don’t do something, you’re going to die alone.”
“I’m not alone. I have lots of friends.”
“You don’t have a husband.” Her mother stretched across the table and put her hands on Zennie’s. “I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy, Mom. You have to believe me.”
“I wish I could.” Mary Jo straightened and sipped her wine. “Fine. I’ll be quiet for now. So what’s new?”
Zennie told herself it was going to be okay. She knew she was lying, but she repeated it anyway. “A few things. Do you remember my friend Bernie?”
“Of course. What a lovely girl. And her husband’s a lawyer. You could do worse.”
“Thanks, Mom. Well, because of her cancer, Bernie can’t have children, but she and Hayes want a family, so I’m going to be their surrogate.”
Her mother stared at her. “What? You’re what?”
“I’m going to be their surrogate. I’m providing the egg and Hayes is providing the sperm and then I’ll carry their baby to term and—”
“Are you insane?” The words were a shriek. “Have you totally lost your mind? You’re going to get pregnant and have someone else’s baby? No. No! You can’t. It’s ridiculous. My God, Zennie, you’ve always had strange ideas, but that is ridiculous. I won’t allow it. Have you thought this through? It’s what, a year out of your life. You have no idea how challenging pregnancy can be. It’s not like in the movies. It’s back pain and hemorrhoids and stretch marks and my God, no. Just no. You could die in childbirth. It happens. No. The whole idea is madness. She can have a baby another way.”
Zennie stared longingly at the glass of wine. If there was ever a time to drink...
“Mom, I’m already pregnant.”
Her mother burst into tears. “Pregnant? How could you? You didn’t even talk to me first. You’re having a baby and you’re just giving it away? Who does that? You know I want grandchildren. How could you be so cruel? You always were the selfish one, Zennie. Always.”
“Mom, I—”
Her mother glared at her. “No. There’s nothing you can say to make this right. I can’t believe you’d do this.” Her mother stood. “Go. I don’t want to see you right now. You’re a disappointment to me. More than I can say. I used to be proud of you, but I can’t be anymore. I can’t believe this. Go. Just go.”
Zennie wasn’t sure she would have been more shocked if her mother had slapped her.
“We’re not going to talk about it?”
“There’s nothing to say, is there? You’ve done what you wanted to do, just like you always did when you were a little girl. My opinion didn’t matter before and it doesn’t matter now.”
She’d known her mother wouldn’t be happy but she hadn’t expected this. She stood and got her bag, then walked out of the house. On the drive home she told herself that she would be fine, that her mother would come around. It might take a while, but they were family.
By the time she got home, she’d nearly convinced herself everything was going to be fine. She ate her healthy dinner and had just started her prenatal yoga video when her phone buzzed. She looked at the screen and saw a text from her dad.
Is it true?
For people who had been divorced more than a decade, her parents appeared to have no trouble communicating, she thought grimly.
If you’re asking if I’m going to be a surrogate for my best friend, then yes.
Of all the dumb-ass things to do. You’re having a baby for a friend? Have you thought about what’s involved? Jesus, Zennie, what’s wrong with you? How could you be so impulsive?
Her healthy dinner suddenly didn’t feel very good in her stomach.
I wanted to help my best friend, Dad. I can give her this.
Give her a goddamned gift card. Not a baby. You’re destroying your life and for what? She’s just a friend. Is it too late to get an abortion?
She dropped her phone as his words hit her like a slap across the face. She picked it up again.
Dad, no. Don’t be like this. Even if you don’t understand, you have to accept my decision. You’ve always said I had a good head on my shoulders. Well, I thought this through and I’m doing this.
What I see is my beautiful daughter ruining her life. You used to be so sensible and together. I used to be proud of you. What happened?
Her mother had mentioned being proud of her, too. Zennie had expected this from her, but not her dad.
You used to be someone I could depend on to support me, no matter what. What happened?
For a couple of minutes, she didn’t see a reply, then three dots appeared on her screen as he typed.
You’re going to regret this, and when you do, don’t come running to me.
Zennie tossed down her phone without answering. So much for parental support, she thought, trying to hold herself together. Her mother’s reaction had been over the top but not completely unexpected, but her dad... It had never occurred to her he wouldn’t get it.
She put her hand over her still flat belly. “I’m going to take care of you,” she whispered. “I don’t care what anyone else says. We’ll figure this out together.”
It wasn’t as if she was alone. She had Bernie and Hayes, and Ali. She was strong and healthy, and she knew in her gut she’d made the right decision. As for her father, she supposed every daughter had to face a time when her father broke her heart. She just didn’t think it would hurt so much or be so sad.
Chapter Nineteen
Finola pulled into the gas station on Ventura Boulevard. If she were honest with herself, she was stopping to fill her tank more as a delay tactic than because she actually needed fuel. Zennie had texted her a warning that Mom knew about the pregnancy and that she hadn’t taken the news very well.
Hardly a surprise, Finola thought, inserting her credit card into the machine. What had Zennie been thinking?
Finola put the nozzle into her gas tank and pressed the lever to start the flow. It was only then she noticed the two teenage girls on the other side of the pump. They were whispering and pointing at her.
Finola instantly wanted to jump in her car and drive away. She ignored the urge, telling herself she was imagining things. There was no way they had any idea that she was—
“You’re her, aren’t you?” the shorter of the two teens asked, her blond ponytail swinging as she spoke. “You met Treasure on your show.”
They were both wearing school uniforms, no doubt from one of the expensive private schools in the area.
Finola watched the gallons click by on the gauge and wished the fuel would flow faster. Realizing there was no escape, she forced a smile. “Yes, I did meet her. Are you fans?”
The girls looked at each other, then back at her. The taller teen rolled her eyes. “Of course we are. She’s just amazing. So talented and beautiful. She could have anyone. Is she really sleeping with your husband? Isn’t he like really old?”
The blonde nudged her friend. “Don’t.”
“What? I’m just asking. I would hate my boyfriend to cheat on me, but with Treasure I guess it would kind of make sense.” She smiled. “My mom says you’ve had work done, but not enough to keep him happy. I’m thinking of getting bigger boobs, but I just can’t decide.”