3

Chapter 3

The next morning I walked onto the train and headed straight for Jason. “Hi!” I sat down, “I learned so much last night about the laws…” he smiled that boyish grin of his and folded his newspaper. I asked, “I’m sorry, can I just be blunt with you Jason?”

“Yes, of course, is something wrong?” he said concerned.

“No, I’m just unsure about this, I want you to be honest with me. I’m afraid I’m interrupting your time in the morning, yet I don’t want you to think I’m being rude and choosing to sit somewhere else...and perhaps I should pay you back for the ticket?”

He sighed in relief, “Tessa, if I minded you sitting here, I would politely remind you that I have a lot of work to do,” he laughed a little and continued, “I enjoy your company, if there is something I need to do, I will tell you, deal?”

I smiled happy to hear his response, “deal.”

“As far as paying goes, I purchase way in advance. No worries, this seats on me,” he smiled.

“Ok, thank you.”

“I’m glad you’ve taken the initiative to learn about the system. I have an appointment today, an initial consultation with Mr. and Mrs. Bateman. I’d like you to sit in with us. You don’t have to prepare anything, I will lead. It begins at 9:30.”

“Great, I’m glad I can observe so soon,” I said, excited for the opportunity. My mind flashed back to seeing Jason’s face last night, I quickly dismissed my thoughts and focused on today’s meeting.

“I also have our quarterly attorney’s meeting today at 11:00. You should attend that as well, you will be working with several of them directly.”

I took my new portfolio out of my new briefcase and began writing down the times, Jason told me.

“You look very professional,” he nodded in approval of my new purchases. “Did you see any condos you liked yesterday?”

“They were all very small, I know it’s just me, but...I’m spoiled and have gotten used to my large house. I have more space than I need.”

“Do you have to leave your house?”

“I want to. There’s just too many memories there, besides now that I have this wonderful job in the city, I’d like to be closer,” I teased.

“I understand, commuting can be a hassle.”

“Your happy being so far from the office?”

“Well, when my father was running the business it was located in New Jersey. After I took over we grew and eventually ran out of space, I made the decision to relocate to Manhattan but had already built my house. I’d never leave it. It has everything I’ve always wanted. I have spoiled myself too,” he admitted.

“I see. Did you design the house too?”

“I did.”

“You seem very young to have accomplished so much already,” I noticed.

“Thank you, I have become somewhat of a workaholic.”

“I’m looking forward to becoming a workaholic,” I said honestly. Besides seeing my family, I don’t go out very much.”

“Why?”

“I just got so complacent with Brian and what was happening to him, I didn’t have time for much else and since he’s been gone, I haven’t wanted to, I guess.”

“Did you and Brian come into the city much?”

“Not really, we were busy working at first, then settling into the house, then had to deal with the cancer. There just wasn’t time.”

“I love the city, there’s so much to see and do, you have to take time to enjoy life too Tessa. I know it’s not easy when circumstances turn your world upside down. I remember when it happened to my family,” he explained sadly. “I had to deal with a lot at a young age. I grew up quick, but after time passed and when the horrible parts all settled, I started to enjoy life again. You will too Tessa, you have to force yourself in the beginning.”

I forced myself to hold back my tears as he spoke to me. I told him, “My sister said something similar to me too. I know you’re both right. Getting this job was the first step for me, I am so grateful for meeting you.”

He smiled sincerely and we heard the announcement for our stop. I quickly gathered my things and we headed to the office.

During my first meeting I sat and listened, I took notes when needed. They were a friendly middle aged couple who had been through two miscarriages and failed in vitro procedures. I could hear the desperation in her voice as she told us what wonderful parents they would make. Jason explained the first step was a series of questions, a lengthy application process, then came the background and referral checks, and finally the home inspection. The couple seemed eager to move forward.

The first questions were obvious; did they care about the sex of the child they were to adopt, the age, their ethnicity, their family history etc. Then they questioning became a bit more difficult, Jason explained, open adoptions. I would personally never consider this option, after hearing the details.

All adoptions had a six week waiting period from the time a newborn was born to the time an adoptive couple could take custody of any baby, foster parents were used in between. This was apparently some crazy law, in my opinion, that gave the birth mother time to change her mind. Who came up with this? It was frustrating for me to listen to Jason tell this couple all of the things that could go wrong but I understood the necessity for this conversation. It sounded as though Jason was leading them to consider an older child.

The potential mother burst into tears as Jason spoke. “Im sorry, '' she said. I just assumed that if we had the money to adopt, we would be able to get a newborn. I’m sure that sounds just awful for me to say. I had no idea it was going to be so difficult,” she filled up.

I instinctively grabbed the box of tissues and walked over to her. I knelt down next to her and said, “It’s not awful for you to say, to be honest, I myself assumed the same thing.”

“You did?” she looked to me.

I shook my head, I’m learning myself about the whole process and listening has been a bit overwhelming for me to believe too. I can only imagine how it has made you feel. You still have options, that’s the good news.”

The woman grabbed my hand in hers and calmed herself down as she shook her head.

“Have you been around children of all different ages?” I questioned.

“No, she looked to her husband. We really haven’t. Does that put us at a disadvantage?”

“Experience is not a requirement to have a child. I only asked because I have two nieces who are five and nine. It just breaks my heart to think of a child that age who doesn’t have a Mother. At that age, they need so much guidance, they are easily influenced by others at school and socially. I know first hand, they still love to sit on mom’s lap and cuddle, I’m not sure they will outgrow that anytime soon,” I smiled.

She looked up to her husband again, “I could love an older child too,” she smiled. He put his hand on her shoulder and nodded in agreement.

“Adoption is a life changing decision, you don’t have to decide today,” he said.

“No, I’m sure. I want to proceed. I am grateful for whatever child I can have as my own. I want to be a Mother,” she smiled.

“Ok then, let’s proceed,” Jason smiled towards me.

We spent a good hour and a half with the couple answering questions, going over scenarios etc. I was glad to start with a couple who was at the beginning process themselves. I looked forward to being there the day Mrs. Bateman would become a mother.

As the couple exited the conference room, Jason went and closed the door behind him. He turned to me, placed both of his arms on the conference table as he leaned over towards me smiling and said, “Tessa, I am impressed.”

I was confused, “I’m not sure why exactly?”

He laughed out loud, “I knew I was right about you instantly, you have fantastic people skills. The way you calmed down that woman and said exactly the right things she needed to hear. I can teach you everything you need to know and do, except that... and you are great at it.”

“Honestly, I had to bite my tongue several times, while you were explaining things to her, especially what you said about the open adoptions, I just don’t agree with the rules. That’s going to be my biggest challenge, keeping my opinion to myself,” I laughed. “Definitely my weakness.”

“You did great,” he continued to stare at me.

I checked my watch and gathered the papers on the table, “It’s almost time for the next meeting with the attorneys.”

“Yes, Robert should have the larger conference room ready for us,” he stood up straight and opened the door waiting for me. As we entered the second conference room, there was coffee, sodas and waters arranged in the center of the table with agendas waiting for everyone. Neil was the first to walk in.

“Tessa, how are you adjusting?” he asked and brushed by me closely, grabbing a coffee.

“Great, thank you for asking. You are...Neil, right?”

“I knew you would remember me,” he said in his cocky manner as he again looked me up and down.

“Hello, Neil,” Jason said a bit sternly as he grabbed a coffee too.

I am definitely flattered by Neils insinuations, although they are slightly inappropriate. “Would you like to go for that drink after work today?” he said blatantly not caring that Jason could hear him.

“No, I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I said looking directly at him.

“Very well, if you change your mind, let me know,” he said and sat down.

“Tessa, excuse Neil’s outspokenness at such an inappropriate time,” he said clearly aggravated and staring at Neil.

Neil said, “It’s not sexual harassment to ask a lady for a drink,” I meant no harm.”

I smiled politely at both of them, as I chose an empty seat on the opposite end of the table. The room began to fill up. I noticed there were only three women. I felt slightly out of my comfort zone surrounded by all of these high powered attorneys. I never got that feeling around Jason. I watched him as he controlled the conversation with everyone. I really liked him. He had such empathy for the couple this morning, he seemed to manage his business well and was incredibly successful. I could see a different side of him during this meeting. His lawyer personality came out for sure. He raised his voice several times during heated conversations regarding cases with the other attorneys, as did they. He calmed the crowd when it was needed, assertively. He was more direct with them than he was with me. I also noticed they all called him Mr.Stone, even the men who were clearly older than him, it showed respect.

After the train ride home, I spoke to Beth again, she was still being persistent about fixing me up with one of Matt’s construction buddies. I had no choice but to agree to go to dinner. She was going to set it up for this weekend. I was nervous for sure, I pictured someone wearing jeans, a flannel shirt, a little chubby, who needed to shave, similar to Beth’s husband, which wasn’t my type. Not that I’m so sure what exactly my type is now.