Loving the Surrogate

Meeting James

New Haven, Connecticut 1999

The temperature was ninety-nine degrees and rising according to the radio weather forecast. It was damned hot. Other co-eds were wearing clothes that are almost not Ivy league approved. Gracie and her block mates were lounging in the shade of willow trees that dotted the vast campus grounds of Yale University. The shades provide cool and breeze, which was exactly what was missing that day.

“I am starting to sweat like a construction worker, girls.” Amanda complained loudly.

"My armpits ate like oil wells." She murmured and went ahead to check if they were indeed, oil well-like, she was wearing a tank top. Her blazer was thrown over by the pile of bags.

“What is worse, I’m dreaming of our cabin in Alaska right now where it is cold and I'd be snuggling in my fur blanket. This kind of weather should be illegal in the United States.” Taylor pipped in. They all have cabins located somewhere cold.

They were Gracie’s friends from preschool until their third year in college and hopefully until they grew old. They love to complain over small matters like the weather, for example, and what to eat in the school canteen. They usually end up outside the campus. Their schoolmates call them ‘the holy three’ because they were school icons, considering that Yale has lots of them. But none of them were close to them and their physical attributes made them extra special.

Rich, beautiful and brainy. The holy trinity of being a hottie. No girl never daydreamed of being one of them. It was no surprise and no wonder that boys from their respective departments and from other Ivy leagues kept on hovering over the three of them. Keeping them busy year round with socials, mixers, parties and cocktails, their social calendars are filled to the brim.

What is more amazing is, no matter how busy their social lives were, they are on top of their classes. Not because they were rich and coming from a prestigious family, but because they were really smart. The three of them debunked the whole 'pretty but dumb' stereo typing.

Taylor Psalm is from a family of respected lawyers in the state and has taken up law too. They own the biggest law firm in the country and are always a top choice among the elites and celebrities whenever they need law-related services. She was a brunette, curvy and shapely ,curly and sporty and loud. She is the type of girl who likes her men obedient and kind.

Amanda Seymor, on the other hand, had a ginger head.

Tall, standing five feet and nine inches, without heels and is more athletic than anyone of them and can beat any man at any sports you can think of. Judo, Karate, baseball, figure skating, gold, polo ,name it and you will cry a loser. You can challenge her anytime and anywhere, but she will come out victorious. She comes from a family of law enforcers and is taking up public administration and claims that she’s gonna be in public service soon not because she wants to serve the general public, but because she thinks it' s cool and sexy. She likes her men as bad boys.

And her.

Gracie Smithson was the exact opposite of her two besties. Taking up Forensic Pathology, her family is in the business sector, and is highly regarded and respected. An only daughter and the only one who will inherit their wealth. Instead of taking up a business related course, she took up medicine and a gruesome major. Her parents never imposed that she follow in their footsteps. She’s silent, vain and never went on dates. He dated some but never slept with anyone, unless they are together, officially.

Her two friends, on the other hand, sleep with whomever they lay their pretty eyes on. She never judged them and they never cared.

Perhaps that was the secret to a wonderful friendship. Contrasts. What one of them lacks, the other one can provide and that’s how they ended up with almost a decade of friendship and going on stronger.

All three of them are in their third year of college.

“Do we have plans for the weekend, girls?” Gracie asked.

That was unheard of. Gracie never asked for plans. She’s usually the tag-along kind of friend. Planning is Taylor’s job, and she is pretty good at it. Taylor had a database of what's the best and where the best can be located. Her question generated a squeal of delight from Taylor and a frown from the other.

“Gracie, dear, are you sick?” Amanda said, touching Gracie’s forehead.

She slaps her hand gently. “I just thought that I'm already in my third year in college and I haven’t even dated anyone.” She said matter-of-factly. She was correct though.

“Girls, this is the part where you scream from excitement. You do not have to ask me anymore. I am finally dipping my foot in the dating pool.Yes, voluntarily.” She convinced them that it was a wonderful idea. And that was when her girls screamed so hard that passers by stopped and stared at the holy three thinking that they broke a nail or something.

”Hey, tell you what, I’ll ask Arthur if he knows anyone who will meet your standards, love.” Taylor was giddy, she had a long list of recommendations. What better way than to start with her own brother's list of friends?

“Ugh, your brother hangs out with losers, Taylor. Spare Gracie the hate.”

"I do not think asking Arty would be a good idea." She had to agree with Amanda on this one.

Arthur is Taylor’s older brother who is studying at Cambridge. She was first matched to Arthur but she declined the date because she thinks that, yes, Arthur is a loser and it is against the law of feminism to date a friend's ex or her brother. She would never break that rule and it would rather feel awkward to remain friends if you broke her brother's heart. Arthur was cute, but it just didn't feel right. She loved the friendship she had with Taylor.

”It’s alright Mandy, maybe Arty knows someone by my standards.’’ She said, smiling sweetly, thinking that she might have offended Taylor with her earlier remarks towards her brother.

“You’re just being kind, as always. But I’ll still ask Arthur. I still don’t get why you don’t want to give him a shot.’’

"Because Arthur is your brother and Gracie is your friend and if they broke up..ugh, do the math, Tay, it is not rocket science."

Truth be told, she’s definitely doubting if Taylor’s brother knew someone who’d sweep her off her feet.He keeps bad company. Yes, rich boys, but bad company is still bad company. Anyway, she is still keeping her fingers crossed though. Now is not the time to express her doubts freely.

Friday night came.

A loud bang in her dorm room. And it had no plans of stopping.

"Hey, I am studying here!'' But the banging continued to get louder, so she got up to check who was in such an urgency that it cannot wait until the morning.

Amanda and Taylor shouted at the same time. ''You got yourself a date!!!"

It dawned on her that it was her stupid idea yesterday. Slapping her forehead she said, " I got a what?'' how can she tell them that she's had a change of heart overnight and doesn't mind that she's not dating anyone until they graduate.

"A date. D.A.T.E you know a date? Don't be a dum-dum'' Taylor needed no invitations, she took the bed and laid her gorgeous body there as if it was her own bed. They hung out in each other's room all the time. "So what are you wearing tomorrow night?''

Oh well, her friends think it's good for her to date, so why not give it a shot. BUT yeah, what's she gonna wear?

Saturday night came. Taylor and Amanda had been hovering over her since the moment she woke up. They were more excited than she was. Because this was the first date that she had been very willing and no force had to be involved in their p

"I think we are going for a baby blue color today. It will make your eyes pop."

They even had a silk blue dress out already steamed and waiting for her. Among many other dresses neatly hanging on the dresser.

Gracie shook her head as if to make sure that she was indeed awake and not procrastinating. Apparently she isn't and her friends are not gonna stop bugging her unless she agrees with whatever they have in mind prepared for that night.

"Appreciate this girls, but first breakfast." Gracie was starving. She said as she proceeded to the toilet wearing nothing but her skimpy undergarments.

Sometimes, giving your besties spare keys to your room isn't highly advisable. The rest of the day was a blur, filled with banter and speculations about this mystery date.

"What do you expect this guy to be? I mean what if he is cute but a total psycho?" Amanda said while doing Gracie's toenails, painting them in neutral shades because they wanted to make her look like a lady. They insisted on doing it there rather than going to a salon because they said it would take more time and time is something they do not have now.

"You are watching too many movies. Besides, Arthur assured me that he is a good person."

"But is he cute, though?" Amanda inquired. Grinning. She knew that Taylor hated it if someone questioned her abilities , let alone her judgement skills.

Naturally, Taylor would side with his brother but they all know that Arthur had, really bad judgement in the past. Gracie chose not to say anything about it. She's not gonna ruin the vibe tonight. Arthur called early in the evening and gave them instructions about the 'date mechanics'. She will be picked up by a limo and they will meet at the 5 diamond restaurant at Winward Farms.

Amanda squealed in delight after the call. "Oooh, the man has style! I have to congratulate Arty, but it is too early to tell, right? Tell you what, if you don't like him, I'll be more than happy to take over." Taylor, who was obviously as intrigued as they already were, came up with an idea.

"Let us all go. That way Mandy and I can bet on who's gonna get the spoils. We will be there, maybe two tables away. Just holler if you need rescuing.'' Awesome idea to have your support group in arms reach she thought.

"Done." All three agreed. Gracie thought that if things went south tonight, one of her friends would still be happy and she and the other friend could go somewhere else, go have a drink or rent a DVD. Order fast food or pizza. No biggie. No hard feelings.

She wore a navy blue dress accentuated at the waist, floaty and sheer ,a little above the knee. Her hair was elegantly done. Her shoes were, of course, from a luxury line. Her favorite brand, and, topped the look with a little silver studded handbag. Gracie Smithson was a vision ,so were her friends who drove in Amanda's car to The Winwards Farm. She was nervous but knowing that her friends would be there, she felt a whole lot better. She arrived at the restaurant and the maitre d' led her to a table overlooking the spectacular Connecticut skyline. It was breathtaking. But he was more breath taking. He took the seat opposite her and reached for a hand.

"Hi, I am James. James Curtis."

Gracie knew she wouldn't be renting DVD's tonight, no pizza, no fast food and definitely still no hard feelings.