Josie's Chronicle

Chapter 27: Begin Again, Again

    Josie sat on the balcony of her mom's apartment. The view was captivating! It almost reminded her of the view of the room she'd had while being the live-in nanny. This was how she'd chosen to remember the last couple of years. She had been a nanny, not a mom. The memory caused a catch in her throat.
   It had been harder to leave than she'd imagined because none of it had been as it was imagined.
It is very rare for a surrogate to be a part of the baby's life, let alone live a year with the child as its nanny.
   It had been her Nana Jay who quieted her heart about it all, which is her way. Her words of wisdom also helped  Josie draw the conclusion that she would never again be a surrogate mom.
   She sipped her tea and closed her eyes. The sounds of traffic weren't as loud as she'd thought they'd be, even here on the balcony. She giggled.  Her mom called it a veranda because it extended around to the side of the living area and had a door that led to the bedroom. She said that it was always her dream to have a house with a veranda. Josie didn't have the heart to tell her that being as high up as it is, it only qualified as a balcony. She laughed again.
"What's so funny?". Valerie plopped down into the seat next to her. "Are you enjoying your mom's veranda?" Both women laughed.
  Josie nodded and finished the tea in her cup.
"So, when do you go back to work? Helping people become parents must keep you very busy." Josie said, turning to face her friend.

Valerie coughed. "I'm taking much needed time off to be with you." She paused and coughed again.

Josie squinted at her. "What aren't you telling me? That's two coughs, so it must be big. Are you pregnant?."

   Valerie giggled nervously, "I am most certainly not pregnant. We haven't even had sex yet."
Josie squinted at her, "whatchutalkboutwillis?". They both laughed. "Daniell wants to wait until after we're married." She chuckled. Heck, he's just starting kissing me a few months ago. He took a flight with your mom and Ray to see a patient, that we now know was your friend and he came back changed! As did your mom and Ray. No one will tell me what happened, but I'm glad whatever happened happened."

Josie nodded. "He really is different from the dull, weird boy I remember."

Valerie sighed. "Is it weird for you, me and Daniell?"

Josie shook her head. "Nope. I'm happy to see you happy. I'm glad that he didn't get caught up in the mess we grew up in."

   Valerie coughed. Josie sighed. "Just tell me."

Valerie stood up and walked over to the railing. She took a deep breath and turned to face Josie.
"I have a daughter. She's nine. My parents are polyamorous. I'm running from the police and my fiancée doesn't know any of this about me. There is a side to Daniell's practice that can often put us on the wrong side of the legal system, but he has that under control. I went behind his back and made money on my own, without his knowledge. Your surrogacy was a part of my side of the business." She raised her hand to stop Josie from speaking. "It was all very legal. I didn't want to put you in danger, but I needed the money."

  Josie nodded. She didn't have the words to interject, so she remained quiet.

   Valerie's voice shook. "I didn't mind the salary that I earned in the beginning, but kids have expenses, and I needed more. Then one of the moms got sick and..."
"One of the moms?" Josie said almost in a whisper. "They wouldn't tell you which one?"

"No, it's their way of remaining one. If one is sick, they're all sick; if one is pregnant... well, you get it. They believe that autonomy will break them up.And don't get me started with what they think about surrogacy!" She shouted. "Can you believe it? They're polyamorous and surrogacy is wrong for the world?!" Valerie wiped tears from her now red face and turned to look squarely at Josie. "I was going to try to pass your mom and grandmother off as mine! Then, well, your mom went and fell for Ray, and Nana Jay says that the truth is always the best policy." She shrugged her shoulders. So now I have to get past the embarrassing truth and actually contact them because Daniell won't marry me unless he meets them first."