Lady Desperate

Chapter 2

The situation is different today, though. Her usual confidence to find the right man dips daily. After several self-denials, she persuades herself to have a child. Using a sperm donor isn't an option.

"Even if I don't find love, someone decent should be the father of my child. The matchmaker should help fix that fast."

She steps into the agency in high spirits, hoping the day will turn out good. What shocks her at first is the long winding queue at the entrance, which brings to mind that she's not the only unattached lady around. Ladies of all races line up, speaking in diverse tongues. Even those adjudged far more beautiful await their turns. Men are also in the other queue, all dapper and eligible.

Jane joins the single-ladies queue, pouring over the right man for this job. Not much to think about anyway, her pubescent days' fantasies return to the fore. She, however, cautions herself against being too rigid. Her previous unyielding attitude partly explains why she's still a spinster till date. Gone are those Margaret-Thatcher's days. A friendly attitude and a sweet face go a long way, they say. Looking into her hand-mirror, her lips extend into a broad smile, as if a man lurks.

"Next!" the counsellor's voice ushers her in.

"Hi. I'm Binzette. How may I help you?"

Jane pushes to the edge of the seat.

"I'm not here in search of a man to date. Can you please get me a man to father my child? I believe I'm in the right place."

Binzette flashes a calming smile.

"Sure, we fix people here."

Binzette brings out a form from the in-tray which she hands over.

"Let's have your details first."

The eager client fills the registration form and pays the fee, after which Binzette puts on her spectacles and scans the paper.

"You're not particular about where he lives, race or job preferences?"

"Humans only, please."

Binzette grins at the humorous petite lady.

"A black gentleman between 30 and 40, preferably someone around Menlyn."

"Just that? Anything else?"

"A tall man is okay, just as a short man is cool. Slim, athletic or sturdy, I don't mind. He must never be the fat type with a big belly– that one will take forever to get me pregnant. Rich or mid-income will be perfect. A poor man is not on the line – I won't have him turn me into an ATM."

The counsellor reclines on the chair and removes her spectacles.

"We also have white people in our database. Do you mind?"

"Ah, yes, I skipped that. Whites are welcome too, although they've not shown interest in me. But it won't be a bad idea to mother the next Barack Obama."

Binzette cracks up.

"Okay, no problem. We have enough guys to recommend to you. You'll get a feedback soon."

"How soon, please?"

"Before Friday. Generally, our feedbacks don't exceed two weeks," she hands over a slip containing the agency's web address and email contacts. Jane's login details to the online portal are also provided.

"Okay. That's soon enough. Thanks."

Confidence engulfs her as she steps out of the office. The man to father her child will soon show up.

"I just hope this goes well," she whispers as old butterflies return. What makes her smile is the men lining up at the agency are young and pleasing. That they turn out in large numbers means she'll meet one soon.