Page 38 of The Surrogate Nanny

“Is she...is she using ASL?” Jonathan asked.

“Anthony thought it was a good idea to start teaching her sign language.”

“Are you making progress?”

“Simone and I have made progress, but sometimes Nori can be a little stubborn,” Anthony interrupted, setting his plate beside me.

“A trait she gets from her father, no doubt,” Jonathan commented with a smirk. “So...Jon,” Anthony started, sliding Nori from my lap. You wouldn’t find me complaining.

Nori can play in his potato salad.

“How is your ex-wife?”

I paused before biting into my burger.

Why would Anthony bring up this man’s ex-wife?

Jonathan’s brows dipped before answering. “She’s...alive. At least she was this morning when she cashed her child support check. We’re not really on speaking terms. But you know this.”

It was quiet for another minute. There was tension between the two, but I didn’t want to pry. I broke the tension again.

“How has work been, Jon?”

“Good. Great, actually. There will never be a shortage of people suing.”

“Speaking of, how are my cases going?” Anthony interrupted.

“You might want to refrain from asking. My hourly rates double on my day off.”

Anthony sighed. “You’re always about the money, Jonathan.”

“Well, as they say, money makes the world go round,” he responded.

“They also say that money is the root of all evil,” Anthony volleyed back.

“To which I’d say people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

“Good thing my exterior is made of stucco.”

These two are having a good old-fashioned pissing match, and I’m not here for it.

I was about to address their behavior when Jonathan changed the subject. “You’ve lived alone for so long, Ant. How are you finding your two new roommates?” he asked, reclining in his chair.

Anthony took a swig of his beer and stared his friend down. “I’d hardly call her a roommate. It’s been fun. I enjoy raising Nori with her. She’s an excellent mother.”

“I see. It must be nice to have a nanny, maid, and chef.”

Anthony narrowed his eyes at him. “Fuck you, Jon.”

“Hey! Language!” I shouted.

“I apologize, Simone,” Anthony said, standing to his feet. “I...I gotta go make a call,” he rushed out before limping into the house.

Silence settled between us until Jonathan brought up a memory I wished to forget.

“How have you been since being reunited with Nori?” he asked, cocking his head to the side with an inquisitive gaze.

“I’m happy...and grateful. I appreciate you showing up when you did. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.”