A Third of Me by Alan Conway

dishwasher while Mom wipes down the table and countertops. Damon is smoking out on the patio and I’m picking up bits of trash left behind.
    I’m thinking about my meeting with Lauren yesterday. I can’t wait to tell Damon about it, but I don’t want to rush things. I want to get as much as I can out of the way before I tell him. So much preparation, so much money. I’m naturally a patient person, but this is driving me bonkers. I just hope his reaction is a good one, but I know he’ll freak out at first, I just know he will. But that’s okay. If he brought this same proposition to me, I would freak out, too.
    But I have another gift waiting for him. It’s hidden under some towels on the top shelf of the our closet. I picked it out a few months ago and almost didn’t buy it, but it was unique and special to me. I hope it will mean the same to him.
     
    He’s a little quiet on the way home. We’re both exhausted. As soon as we get home, we change clothes and while I’m in the closet, I palm the small gift box and present it to him.
    “Just a little something,” I say.
    His eyes grow wide and weary. He opens it and pulls out the ring.
    “It’s not what you think, so relax,” I say, showing him the Gaelic text engraved on the side.
    “What does it say?”
    “It says Mo Anam Cara. It means my soul friend. ”
    He smiles and shakes his head. “I'm not a jewelry kind of guy, Brian. You know this.”
    “I know. That's why I got you this, too.” I let the chain dangle from my fingers. “You can put it on this and you can wear it under your shirt like I do.” I pull down the collar of my sport shirt to show him the matching ring hanging from my neck.
    “Close to my heart, right?” he says, his eyes rolling up at me as if to say you’re one sappy son of a bitch, Brian Jamison.
    “You get it.”
    “Thanks, man. It’s really cool. Very sweet of you. It makes my gift look like shit.”
    He hands me a badly wrapped present, which is completely endearing that he tried. It’s a leather-bound notebook with my name embossed on the cover.
    “I figure you could use it to write your next story.”
    I love it. I say thank you and wrap my arms around him as if he might vanish at any moment. We kiss all the way to the bathroom where we shower and get ready for bed. I almost pull out that magazine from the nightstand and tell him my big plans, but I don’t. The more I think about it, the more uncertain I am. I worry about waiting too long and about what I would if Lauren changes her mind.
    I pray to God she doesn't.
     
    Lauren
    I’ve always wanted to have a baby. But Mr. Right happens to be in love with Mr. Also Right, and I’ve never had a relationship long enough for marriage or children to work their ways into the conversation.
    Then Brian throws me for a loop with this crazy idea. It is crazy, let me tell you.
    But I like crazy.
    We’ve just missed the lunchtime rush crowd and find a quiet table near back. He’s giddy already, so I do not allow him to have coffee – otherwise he’d be unbearable. We decide to share a slice of Bergin’s famous cheesecake. It’s the best I’ve had anywhere.
    Brian leans in and asks me if I want kids someday. I don’t know how to take the question, so I’m a little defensive at first.
    “Of course,” I say. “If I ever meet someone by the time I'm thirty.”
    “Don’t be so dramatic. I’m serious. Actually, let me rephrase the question a bit: Would you like to have a baby?”
    “Where are you going with this?” I say, running a wet finger across the plate, mopping up the crust crumbs.
    I’m not paying much attention at first, then he reels me until I’m hooked. This is your chance, Lauren. It may not be what you want, but it could be potentially better that you ever dreamed.
    Brian really wants this. Damon doesn’t know yet. I’m not sure how Damon will feel about it, but he’s changed since he’s been with Brian. He’s more alive, driven, and for the most