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New York is Judith's favorite hunting ground. She has perfected it to a science. We don't wander from shop to shop looking for something that will catch our eye. Oh, no, we are much more sophisticated. Judith plans it all in advance, down to the specific shops and the best routes.

Yesterday we were after an Oriental rug. After seven shops I was too exhausted to continue counting. At six o'clock we went back to the second place we visited in the morning and the battle started. Half an hour later, nine hundred and forty dollars poorer, we stepped out, the proud owners of a small, staggeringly beautiful, Persian rug. "We saved at least four hundred dollars," Judith summarized the day.

"What is our target today?" I ask my general.

"An antique coffee service."

"I thought you were pleased with the china you got last year?" I like it, even though I must admit that at the time I didn't like finding out we were another five hundred in the hole. I even made a small fuss.

"Our china is fine. But we need a silver set. For special occasions," and casually she adds, "you have cheese on your chin."

I almost choke. Special occasions, like twice a year when the queen of England pays us a visit.

"Wipe your chin," she reminds me.

I do. "What's the budget?" I dare to ask.

"No more than six thousand," she answers. "It won't be easy, so this time you'll have to play your role when I'm bargaining. Don't just stand there like a depressed log."

Now that I have tenure we don't have to worry about saving for old age; the university pension will take care of that. But six thousand dollars? And for something that we'll never use? Then I see her point. It's a good idea.

Satisfied, I announce, "We are starting a collection."

"The Silver collection," Judith titles it.

I devour what's left of the bagels, and wave for a refill. "Over the years we'll build a collection that will be something." Jokingly I add, "Then we'll leave it to the town and people from all over will come to see it."

"I wish we could leave it to our kids," she says in a low voice.

"So do I. So do I."

Absentmindedly I drink my coffee. "I wish there was something we could do." I put the cup back. "Come on, Judith, let's conquer the city." I stand up, all ready to go.

"There is something," she says.

I move behind her to pull her chair back.

She doesn't stand up. "There is a way we can have a child."

I sit down again. "But, darling, I thought you were not willing to adopt?"

She puts her hand on mine. "There is a way to have our own children."

"But..." I feel weak.

She strokes my arm. "Nothing is wrong with my eggs or with your sperm."

"You mean a surrogate mother?"

"Yes."

I try to digest. We can have a baby.

"Rick... darling . . . let's go." She stands up. "It's out of our reach."

"No." I grab her hand and pull her back. "You're sure it's feasible? I know that in this thing nothing is guaranteed, but is it feasible?"

Standing, she replies, "Yes. But what's the point in torturing ourselves. We'll never be able to afford it. Let's go, honey."

"Are you willing to go through all it takes?"

"You know I am." She sits down.

"And if at the end we fail. Can you take it?"

"I'll still have you."

"Judith, if you are ready, I'll find the money. Whatever we need."

"There is one problem," she says.

"What?"

"We'll have to postpone the start of our silver collection. Is that okay with you?"

If it wasn't New York, we would probably be arrested for making a scene in public.

Chapter 25

They started early. By eleven, Rick had finished his presentation. There was no doubt that Don Pederson was impressed. He even said that this know-how will be of great value to UniCo.

Then Jim took the lead, and gave a presentation on the design of a computer system for project management. His presentation centered around the think tank's warnings about the ease with which a too sophisticated system can throw project teams into a nightmare.