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“Has it been a difficult process for you so far?”
“Well, we just started. But, yes, we’ve had some surrogates turn us away because we were gay.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m not surprised,” Gloria says.
“Oh no, you didn’t tell me that.” Kiki covers my hand with hers. “This is so damn unfair.”
“I started my research after you had Drew. Remember when I was your doula?”
“I could never forget,” she deadpans. Gloria suppresses a smile.
“Well, right after Drew was born, I signed up with a surrogate agency, to see where it might lead, but nothing came of it. They asked what I was looking for in a surrogate and I said I wanted someone with shiny hair that loves to binge-watchEmily in Pariswith me when Connor has to work late. Turns out that was not a checked box in my favor. I’m sorry, but if this woman is going to be living with us for nine months, she can’t be lounging on our couch in ratty sweatpants, eating my husband’s Greek yogurts and complaining how she never has time to wash her hair or change her underwear. Am I right?”
“Oh jeez,” Kiki mumbles.
Gloria chuckles. “I see your point, but TJ, are you sure you’re not lonely? Sounds to me like you’re more in need of companionship than a baby.”
“TJ doesn’t like to be alone, that’s for sure,” Kiki chimes in. I give her a look that says she needs to chime her way on out. She shrugs. “What? It’s true.”
“Are you and your husband from Nashville?”
“No ma’am. Connor is from Ireland and I was raised by my Nana Rose in Albuquerque. After college, I moved to California and Nana moved to Florida to a retirement center.”
“Are you close to Nana Rose?”
“The closest. She’s amazing. My parents died in a car accident when I was younger and my nana took me in.”
“I’m so sorry.” Gloria gives me a sympathetic smile. “Family is important. Do you ever imagine what would have happened to you if it weren’t for Nana Rose?”
“No, never. Nana Rose rescued me when I had no one left. I don’t like to think about what could have happened if she hadn’t taken me in. Whenever I was sad, she used to load me in the car, roll all the windows down, and speed down the highway. She’d turn the volume up and play her favorite tape cassette, Laura Branigan’s Greatest Hits. The song “Gloria” would come on first and we’d stick our heads out the window and belt out the lyrics. It made me feel like I was flying in the wind. Like I was invincible.” I smile wistfully.
“That sounds like a wonderful memory.”
Leaning forward, I hum the opening notes of the song, ‘Gloria.’ I nod my head and point when Gloria laughs and shakes hers. “Was it something that they said, are the voices in your head…”
“Calling Gloria!” Kiki joins me. We look at Gloria expectantly, and she dissolves into a fit of giggles.
I’m waiting for everyone in the restaurant to join in, so I can get up and do a dance routine while shouting “Gloria,” but it doesn’t happen. Instead, a few people glance our way and then resume their conversations. In my mind, it would have been magnificent, like a dance mob where we take over the restaurant, our hands raised in song.
“Can’t say I’ve ever been serenaded before.” Gloria breaks into my daydream.
“What? Oh, well, when you’ve got a great song with your name, it has to be belted out in a crowded restaurant.”
“I like you, TJ.”
“I mean, Glore, how can you not?” I ask, causing Kiki to snort water up her nose.
“You’ve got pizazz and spunk. That’s refreshing.” Gloria smiles, jotting down a few things in her notebook. She tucks it back into her satchel after we’re done eating. “Call me if you decide to be a foster parent. You and Connor deserve to have the same rights as everyone else. I promise you won’t regret it.”
I stuff the brochure and information packet she gave me into my messenger bag. I doubt I’ll ever call Gloria, but it was lovely meeting her. “Gloria, Gloria, calling Gloria,” I sing her name and she giggles, gathering her stuff.
“Mrs. Reed, a pleasure. Thank you for lunch. It sure beats the cottage cheese and apple I brought to work with me today.”
“You’re welcome. It was nice meeting you too, Gloria.”
“TJ, good luck on your journey.”
“Thank you, Gloria.” We wave goodbye and wait for the check.
