Page 27 of A Really Bad Idea

“Why men like a movie about a man who gets castrated is beyond me.”

He shakes his head. “Missing the point, as always.”

Before we walk away, I take a penny out of my pocket. It’s old and tarnished. Most people think a penny is dirty when, really, its brownish color is from oxygen binding with the copper. All you need to make it clean again is a little chemistry. I toss the penny into the fountain.

“What did you wish for?” he asks.

“If I tell you, it won’t come true.” I bite my lip and walk alongside him to the edge of the park.

Our steps are loud as our voices are quiet. We’re two friends traveling in the world’s largest park, and yet it feels like our own piece of earth, a place only the two of us inhabit.

When we get to Fifth Avenue, Christian takes out his phone and pulls up his Uber app. I step to the curb and hold up an arm.

“I’ll get you an Uber,” he offers.

I see a yellow cab up ahead with its vacant lights on. “No, thanks. I’m going classic New York tonight.”

I catch the twinkle in his eye as I wave down the cab, and it pulls up to the curb.

Christian walks forward and opens the door for me. I’m stepping off the curb when he says, “Can I go with you?”

I halt on the other side of the open door and look back at him, confused.

“To the doctor,” he further explains. “I know you don’t need me, but I want to be there. Besides, it’s a fascinating field. I’d like to check it out. And I’d like to be with you, if that’s okay.”

My guarded albeit heavy heart warms at the idea. “Sure. If you have time.”

“I’ll clear my schedule. Text me the day and time, and I’ll make sure I’m there.”

“Okay,” I say, oddly touched that he wants to go with me. I’m not sure exactly how he might be able to help, but I suppose it would be nice to have another set of ears there in case I miss any important information.

With his hand gripping the top of the door, he leans over and places a soft kiss onto my forehead. “Sweet dreams, Meadow.”

My breath shakes a touch. “Good night.”

I climb into the cab and close the door, and as the car travels down Fifth Avenue, I can’t help but wonder how my life is about to change.

“Meadow Duvane?”

I stand from my seat in St. Xavier Fertility Center and walk toward the nurse calling out my name. I glance toward the elevator and then down at my watch, wondering if Christian will be able to make it.

“Right this way,” she says.

I’m following her when the elevator at the other end of the waiting room pings, and the doors open.

“Sorry I’m late,” Christian says, still in his doctor’s attire and adjusting his name badge that has flipped over on his jacket.

I sigh in relief as he walks over and places a hand on my lower back, giving me a smile.

“You made it in time,” the nurse says with a smile. I have my own to match.

Today’s first appointment is a consultation with Dr. Abbot, one of the best fertility specialists in the city. The nurse escorts us to his office and leaves us alone to wait for the doctor.

We take a seat in the brown leather armchairs on the guest side of the dark wood desk. There’s a credenza on the other side, filled with pictures of who I assume to be the doctor’s family. The walls are lined with degrees and awards. The one closest to my head is U.S. News & World Report Top Doctor of the Year.

It suddenly becomes very real. I’m sitting in a fertility doctor’s office, single, with my best friend, about to find out the first steps to having a child.

Needing a distraction, I look to the side, out the window that faces office buildings and directly into the apartments across the way.