She couldn't believe her friend would utter something like this. This wasn't April, so no April Fools' jokes here. "I'm not kidding, Rosa," Evonne said. "What brought all this up?" Rina interjected for the first time. "It was because of Mrs. Chocolate." "Who's Mrs. Chocolate again?" Rina asked.
"Evonne's patient who talks a lot, a colleague who works under me. She always babbles on about some really weird subjects. Even at work," Rosa answered. "So what did Mrs. Chocolate say?" Rina asked. "That women over age thirty-five have a harder time conceiving a baby. Plus, there are other complications.
I knew this from my pre-dentistry studies but had never given it much thought until now. I'm quite scared about the whole prospect of living by myself for the rest of my life. If I have a child, then the child will be with me for at least the next two decades.
Then if my child decides to have children, all the better for me, as I will have grandchildren to keep me company. Now I know how Mum and Dad felt when they thought I would die while being delivered in the refugee camp."
"Will you tell your parents, though, about your plan?' Rosa asked. "I'll tell them when I find the right guy for my baby," Evonne declared. "So would you guys help me out?" she pleaded. "Since you've put it that way, of course." "We'll be right over in a jiffy," Rina threw in.
"Thanks, guys." Evonne put the phone down and sighed in relief. She just hoped her splendid idea wouldn't backfire. She wanted to meet someone nice and have a good future together, if not for herself, then for her baby. An hour later, the girls congregated at Evonne's house, deep in discussion mode.
"So what are your criteria?" Rosa asked, getting straight to the point. "Handsome, sensible, not a flirt, loyal, intelligent, tall, an IQ over 150, treats a woman well, and is over thirty," Evonne listed. "Wow, that's an impressive list," Rosa said. "How are you going to find someone like that?" Rina asked.
"You should go to a dating site," James spoke from behind them, giving them a good fright. " James Alexander !" all three said at once. "What?" James asked, gawking at their startled faces, and laughed. "Warn us if you're going to visit like this."
Evonne slapped her cousin's arm. "Oww." James feigned pain, then went to Rina and rested his head on her shoulder. "Rina, help me. My cousin is abusing me again." "That's because you surprised us," Evonne yelled.
"If I don't come in like that, I won't get to catch your great facial expressions. That doesn't include you, Rina. You're my favorite. I wouldn't do that to you."
All Rina did was smile, while the other two fumed. "All right, all right. I'm sure James didn't mean you any harm. It was a pleasant surprise after all," Rina soothed.
"Yes, a pleasant surprise indeed. Maybe next time I'm going to surprise you with a potion that makes you so sick you won't be able to attend school," Rosa suggested. "For real, Rosa? Make me a potion now.