“The last two years,” she said to me, “it’s been a heartbreaking time for me. I can’t keep track of all the disappointments.” Her syllables came out on top of one another, blurring her speech.

“I understand.”

“Delta, I can’t have my hopes dashed again. I can’t survive if that happens again. I need to know that you will see this through.”

The sound of bells returned and grew slightly louder than before. “I’m honored that you’ve asked me to be your surrogate.” It was an effort to stay in the room with Amelia, because I couldn’t resist watching the scene unfold—watching my dreams come to fruition.

Amelia looked at me in earnest. “Would you like to see my doctor? My OB?” she asked hopefully.

“I have an amazing doctor,” I said. “A brilliant woman.” I tried to conjure up the image of the physician I saw recently at the walk-in urgent care facility I frequented.

“That’s terrific.” Amelia’s expression turned serious. “I want you to know that if you’d like to participate in the child’s life, I would be a hundred percent on board with that.”

I felt warmth in my core. My life was changing. My life was changing.

Amelia stiffened. Something had occurred to her. “What will Ian say?”

I didn’t believe Amelia cared how Ian felt, but I suppose she thought that she ought to care. She wanted me to see her as a selfless person who kept everyone else’s needs top of mind. Or perhaps she was scared he’d interfere.

“He knows where my heart is,” I said. “I hope to have a baby with Ian. One day. He understands that. I dream of Jasper coming back to Brooklyn and living with me and Ian and our baby. Those are the happy thoughts that put me to sleep at night.” I had never even considered living with Ian, and I had no desire to have a baby with him. But I had a sense that the narrative might satisfy Amelia’s desire to understand me and my priorities. In any case, it wouldn’t serve her to delve too deep. She wanted to believe what she wanted to believe.

“And Jasper?” she asked. “How will he feel?”

I felt a burning sensation in my throat, similar to acid reflux. “Jasper knows I love him.” In my mind, I could see Jasper building a sandcastle on the beach, his damp hair clinging to the base of his neck.

Amelia put her arms around me and rested her head on my shoulder. “I am so grateful, Delta.” Moisture from her tears landed on my shoulder. She lifted her head. With no makeup, her colorless lips had disappeared. “Help me explain things to Natalie. She trusts you.” She whispered loudly, inadvertently spitting in my ear. “I know it’s hard for her, but she has to recognize that I have needs too.”