A First Class Act

by Mildred Riley

  “I know what you’re telling me, Nora, but I must go down the path I’ve chosen or I won’t be satisfied with myself. And anyway, it’s too late.”

  “What do you mean, ‘too late’? ”

  “I’m going to have the embryo transplanted in two weeks. For doing this, Nora, I will earn almost $75,000. Out of that will come the lawyer’s fees, and other expenses. But I’ll still have enough left for tuition, books, etc. I have signed all the required legal papers and I can’t back out now.”

  Nora shook her head, almost unable to believe what Dina was saying.

  “You’re a better woman than I am, my dear.”

  “Believe me, my friend, I thought getting the money was motivation enough, but after meeting the couple, seeing their desperate hope for a child of their own, I knew it was the right thing to do. And if a relationship with Drew is meant to be, so be it! But for now…” Dina had not forgotten the other vow she had made…to find her father.

  “Say no more. You know I wish you the best and I’ll always be there whenever you need me.”

  “Thanks, Nora. Means a lot to me to hear you say that.”

  * * *

  Two weeks later Dina went to the hospital to have the procedure done.

  Driving herself to the hospital, she wondered if she would feel any different as soon as the embryo was implanted.

  Once she arrived at the hospital, she parked her vehicle, entered the outpatient building, signed in at the admission desk, and was directed to the waiting room.

  She was told, “Someone will be here to take you to the surgical suite.”

  “Thank you,” Dina replied. A feeling of anxiety flooded over her. What on earth was she doing in this place? But there was no way she could back out now. There was so much she had to do.

  Within minutes a middle-aged woman, dressed in street clothes with an identifying tag on her jacket designating that she was a volunteer, approached her.

  “Ms. Raines?”

  “I’m Ms. Raines.”

  “I’m here to escort you to the surgical suite. Ready?”

  “I am.”

  “It’s not far, just down this hall.”

  * * *

  Later, as she signed the usual documents giving the hospital and staff permission to do the procedure, she thought of her grandmother’s admonition, Trust in God and all will be well. She surely hoped that her grandmother was right.

  In a few minutes the nurse returned, collecting the forms.

  “We’re ready now. Please come with me.”

  Dressed in a hospital gown and disposable slippers, Dina found herself in a well-lit operating room.

  She was helped to lie down on the table.

  The fertility specialist, Dr. Taylor, who had managed her hormone treatments, appeared at her side.

  “Good morning, Ms. Raines. Ready to start on this exciting adventure?”

  “I…I am.”

  “Let’s get to it, then. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  She was instructed to slide her hips down to the end of the operating table, place her feet high in stirrups.

  Dina took a deep breath as she felt the doctor’s gloved hands moving over the sterilized area. She closed her eyes, silently repeating a prayer. By the time she had finished, she heard Dr. Taylor snap off his gloves.

  She opened her eyes to see him smiling at her.

  “Good luck, Ms. Raines.” He shook her hand. “I hope all goes well.”

  “Th…th…thank you,” Dina mumbled, realizing that she didn’t feel different at all.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Drew had meant it when he told Dina that she was more beautiful than she was when he met her some months ago.

  She was now wearing her hair long. It was a cascade of gleaming, healthy black hair that pooled seductively around her lovely shoulders.

  Her skin was so luminous, so translucent, he longed to touch it. And her eyes, brown with golden flecks, bewitched him. And even more impressive than her beauty was her regal stance. Her no-nonsense posture alerted him that this lovely woman was not to be trifled with or disrespected in any way.

  Driving his Jeep from Hyannis to his Boston apartment, he relived the few moments he had been able to spend with her before Nora returned. Dina had said to him after he had told her how happy he was to find her, “It’s nice to see you again. Are you still playing football?”

  “Yes, I am. Will be starting training camp in a few weeks. Looking forward to it. But tell me about yourself.”

  “Not much to tell.”

  “But you are going to tell me how I can reach you, aren’t you?”

  “I really can’t because I don’t know myself, except that I expect to be living somewhere near New Haven. I’ve had a real estate agent find a studio apartment right near the school, but that’s about all I know.”

  “You do have a way to contact your realtor?” Drew was not going to give up.

  “Yes. As a matter of fact, I do have her card.”

  She reached into her handbag, pulled out her wallet, and handed him a card.

  “Thanks. Now listen to me,” he said, staring into her eyes. “Wherever you are, I will find you.”

  She had sighed wearily, as if reluctant to speak. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I’m sorry, Drew, really I am, but I have to be honest with you.”

  Her following words burned in his memory, and even now he felt the searing anger he’d experienced.

  “I’ll be very busy with my Ph.D. program and,” she hesitated, “I expect to become a surrogate mother in a few weeks.”

  “A what?” His eyes widened and he blurted out, “What’s a surrogate mother?”

  Dina had expected his outburst. She had looked straight at him, her eyes never wavering.

  “I read your recent bio in The Globe. You were named one of the best wide receivers in the league. You grew up with a loving family that nourished you, supported you in your chosen profession. I, on the other hand,” she had said firmly, “lost my parents early, courtesy of a drunk driver.” She did not tell him of her adoption, her mixed-up parentages.

  She had gone on to tell him that with insurance money she had been able to pay off her student loans, but with her goal of attaining a Ph.D. she needed a great deal of money and had decided the best way to earn it was by being a surrogate. Not only would she earn what she needed, she would be giving a couple a gift, their own child.

  Disbelieving, stunned by her revelation, Drew had reached across the table, had grasped both her hands in his.

  He had told her, “I would have given you money, just signed a new contract.”

  “Don’t need your money,” she had protested.

  * * *

  As he drove through the night down Route 95 to Boston, Drew recalled the unbelievable conversation and the desperate, sinking feeling he’d experienced as the woman he wanted had shattered his dreams. Now he had lost her twice! Would a third opportunity to pursue her arise? And how could he love a woman who would have a baby…for money? Wasn’t that illegal or immoral, unethical, dishonest…perhaps all of those things?

  He activated his hands-free synchronized cell phone.

  “Yeah, Dad, it’s me.”

  “Drew! Son, how are you?”

  “Fine, Dad, I’m fine. Just spent the weekend with Charlie Freeman and his folks down on the Vineyard.”

  “Great! You comin’ by?”

  “Yeah, thought I would for a few minutes. How are Mom and John-boy?”

  “Fine, fine. Busy at school, and, you know, that computer. He’s upstairs, as usual.”

  “Yeah, I know. Mom fixin’ you something to eat?”

  “She is. You know I’m always ready for your mother’s cooking.”

  * * *

  Drew took a seat across from his father. He had glanced at the television screen, noticing that his father had been watching an old movie, Presumed Innocent.

  “I’ll turn this off. You didn’t come home to watch an old mov
ie.”

  “No, that’s all right.”

  “You think I’m goin’ to pass up a chance to talk to my older son?”

  “Well, no, Dad. As a matter of fact, I do have something on my mind.”

  “Let’s hear it.”

  “It’s a crazy story.”

  “Start at the beginning.”

  “You’re going to think I’m nuts, Dad.”

  “Try me.”

  “Started when we won the league title. I had just caught the winning touchdown, the crowd went wild. I was excited and happy. I looked at the cheering fans in the end zone and I just threw the ball at a red-headed boy. He leaped, grabbed the ball right out of the air. Then…I saw her! The most beautiful young woman I’ve ever seen. I knew I had to meet her!”

  “Dumbstruck, huh?”

  “Dad, I was…but there was no way to get near her, with the crowds and all.”

  “But you finally did.”

  “Yes, sir, I did. See, the owner of our team arranges for a group of players to participate in autographing parties at various places, hospitals, schools. The money goes to a hospital for sick children. So, Charlie and I, along with some of the other players, were assigned to a session at Waverly Estates, a psych facility that treats mostly teenagers. And that’s where I saw her again, almost two months later.

  “She’s a nurse, works at Waverly. Brought a patient to the autographing. I was so surprised to see her I jumped out of my seat, almost knocked the table over. Of course she had no idea who I was, only that I was a player for the Anchors. I blurted out, ‘It’s you, it’s you!’ She looked at me like I was crazy.”

  “I can imagine,” his father said.

  “Well, anyway, I told her how I had seen her in the stands and wanted so much to meet her. I said that that was not the proper time, gave her my card, and pleaded with her to call me.”

  “I can guess…she never did.”

  “No, Dad, never.”

  “So what did you do?”

  “She had told me her name was Claudine Raines, but said she mostly goes by the name Dina.”

  “Nice name,” his father commented. “I kinda like it.”

  “Dad, I knew I would never rest until I could meet her again. I tried to track her down at the hospital where she works, but they wouldn’t release personal information.

  “Everywhere I went, I looked for her. One day I had been riding at the local stables—you know how much I love horses—and I saw a van pass by with Waverly Estate on the side door panel. Had all I could do to keep from turning around and following it.

  Anyway, Dad, here’s what happened…”

  At that moment Vanessa Tyler came into the room with a tray.

  “Roast beef sandwich, salad, and a cold beer,” she announced as she set the tray for Drew on her husband’s desk.

  “Can I get you anything, Ross?”

  “A beer would be nice, dear.”

  She returned moments later, taking her son’s chair as he sat at the desk, eating.

  “Mom, you didn’t have to do this, but I’m glad you did. Tastes like manna from heaven. Dad, will you tell Mom about my situation?”

  “No problem, hon. He wants to tell us about a young lady he is interested in, that’s all.”

  “Oh, I see. Well tell me, Ross.”

  Vanessa listened intently as her husband told her about their son’s dilemma.

  “So now you know as much as I do.”

  “Have you found her yet, Drew?” his mother asked.

  Drew wiped his mouth with a napkin, swallowed the rest of his beer, and pushed the tray aside.

  “Mom, thanks, that was good. Now, as the man said, ‘the rest of the story.’ ” He tried to sound upbeat, but his mother knew he was troubled. He faced his parents, aware of their anxiety as he continued.

  “Here’s what happened. Charlie…”

  “Your quarterback…”

  “Yeah, him. He invited me to visit his folks’ place on the Vineyard. Said he was going for the weekend and would like to have company. By the way, he’s getting married next summer, asked me to be in his wedding.”

  “That’s nice, son,” his mother said.

  “Oh, I said I would, along with some of the other team members.”

  “Sounds as if you are all good friends.”

  “Almost like brothers, Dad. To get on with what I want to tell both of you, I found Dina Raines on the ferry coming back from the Vineyard.”

  “You didn’t! After all this time?”

  “Believe me, Mom, I couldn’t believe my eyes! I was looking for a table. I’d bought coffee and a sandwich, almost passed by her and her friend, a middle-aged white woman. Later I learned that she was another nurse.”

  “Did she recognize you?”

  “She did, and her friend, Nora something, seemed to know that we needed to talk. She excused herself and right away I asked Dina why she hadn’t called me.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Dad, she said she was going back to school for a Ph.D. in nursing.”

  “Sounds ambitious.”

  “Guess so, but when I asked if I could visit her in Connecticut, she said that she would be very busy with her research and all. But the news that knocked me off my feet was that she had already signed a contract with a couple to be a surrogate mother!”

  “What!” his father asked.

  “She’s going to have a baby for a couple who can’t. Can you believe it?”

  Vanessa Tyler saw the pain and confusion in her son’s face and she knew her response to Drew would have to be understanding and encouraging.

  “She’s a better woman than I am, son. And don’t rush to judgment. Did she say why she’s doing this?”

  “Says she needs the money.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Vanessa Tyler, disturbed by Drew’s situation, decided to offer some hope to him.

  “Drew, if she’s the one for you, she will be. Don’t give up hope. It seems to me that she is not a flighty person. Seems to have desires and goals of her own.”

  His father agreed. “You know, son, this might sound strange, but since it seems that she wishes to have some distance between the two of you, and your game schedule will have you traveling, perhaps you could hire an investigator to sorta keep tabs on her. Then you’d know how she was doing, if she needed anything.”

  His mother agreed. “You wouldn’t be interfering, I don’t think, and your mind would be at ease. Remember, if it’s to be it will be.”

  “And you are giving her the freedom to follow her chosen path,” his father added.

  Ross Tyler saw the consternation that flickered across his son’s face.

  “But Dad, how can I love a woman who’s already had a child?”

  His father smiled, shook his head. He leaned forward to place his hand on his son’s knee.

  “Happens all the time, and you would not be the first. If you love her, really love her, she could have a dozen children, it wouldn’t matter. Trust me. A real, honest-to-goodness love will do that to you.”

  * * *

  John Sabin was a loyal fan of the Boston Anchors. A former detective with the Boston Police, he had retired after an accident. His wife of thirty-two years was pleased that he had done so. She was not too happy with his new occupation as a private investigator, but at least he had the freedom to pick and choose his assignments.

  The tall, burly man with a shock of red hair, whose blue eyes looked directly at Drew, offered his new client a strong handshake.

  “Great to meet you, sir! I’ve been a fan of yours for some time. Really ever since you came to Boston. How can I help you?”

  Drew explained.

  “I don’t want Miss Raines ever to know that you are working for me. I have her address, the name of the university where she’s studying for her degree, and the hospital where she will deliver the baby.”

  “I’ll have to charge you for any traveling I may have to do.”

  “That
will be fine. I’d like monthly written reports, please, and send them to my parents’ address. And when we sign our contract, I want you to honor the clause of complete confidentiality. My lawyer has placed strict emphasis on that clause.”

  The detective’s face reddened slightly, but his response came promptly.

  “I know how to do my job…and how to keep my mouth shut.”

  “All I want to hear.”

  They both signed the contract, witnessed by John Sabin’s secretary.

  * * *

  Armed with his portfolio of information, John Sabin drove from Boston to the university town in Connecticut. His plan was to become familiar with the layout of the university where the pregnant Dina would be studying.

  He found it to be a pleasant campus, with wide walkways between the various buildings.

  There was a tree-shaded quadrangle, red brick buildings with the traditional green ivy climbing the walls.

  He drove through the campus, finally finding the School of Nursing complex next to an infirmary on the west side of the large campus. He parked in the large parking lot filled with cars, students’, he presumed. He was able to see what he believed might be the main entrance.

  Over the double entry doors, School of Nursing was emblazoned in large gold script.

  He watched as students moved in and out, wondered if he might spot Dina Raines.

  * * *

  The first four months of Dina’s pregnancy were uneventful. She was able to meet the demands of her research, keep her scheduled appointments with her doctoral advisors, and she was very happy that she was moving forward toward her goal.

  “How are you doing?”

  The weekly call came to Dina from Coleen Dineen, the prospective mother. “Are you having any problems?”

  “Oh, I’m doing nicely. No problems to report. How are you and Robin?”

  “Robin and I are doing fine. Do you need anything? And how are your studies? We are so proud of you, and you do know how grateful we are to you. Have you been able to keep up? With your studies, I mean.”

  “Oh, sure. So far. I’m real pleased with the progress I’ve made. My advisor has approved of what I’ve been able to do.”