Shock Read Online Free Page A

twirled the glass in her fingers, momentarily mesmerized by the effervescence.
    "What happened to your ring?" Deborah asked, noticing for the first time that the jewelry was gone.
    "I gave it back," Joanna said casually.
    Deborah shook her head. She was amazed. Joanna had loved the diamond and everything it stood for. She'd rarely taken it from her finger.
    "I'm serious about this," Joanna said.
    "I'm getting that impression," Deborah said. She was momentarily speechless.
    The phone shattered the short silence. Deborah stood up to get it.
    "It's probably Carlton, but I don't want to talk with him," Joanna said.
    Over at the desk Deborah checked the caller ID screen. "You're right, it's Carlton."
    "Let the answering machine get it," Joanna said.
    Deborah returned to the coffee table and plopped herself back down. The two women eyed each other as the phone continued its insistent ring. After the fourth ring the answering machine picked up. There was silence while the outgoing message played. Then Carlton's anxious voice along with a bit of static filled the ascetically decorated room.
    "You're right, Joanna! Waiting until I finish my residency is a stupid idea."
    "I never said it was a stupid idea," Joanna interjected in a forced whisper as if the caller could hear.
    "And you know what?" Carlton continued. "Why don't we go ahead and plan for this June. As I recall, you always said you wanted a June wedding. Well, June's fine by me. Anyway, give me a call as soon as you get this message, and we can talk about it. Okay?"
    The answering machine made a few more mechanical sounds before the little red light on the front of the console began to blink.
    "That shows you how much he knows," Joanna said. "There's no way my mother could put together a proper Houston wedding in eight months."
    "He sounds a little desperate," Deborah said. "If you want to call him back and want some privacy, I can make myself scarce."
    "I don't want to talk with him," Joanna said quickly. "Not now."
    Deborah cocked her head to the side and studied her friend's face. She wanted to h>e supportive hut for the moment was confused how best to play that role.
    "This isn't an argument he and I are having," Joanna explained. "Nor is it some kind of lover's game. I'm not trying to be manipulative, and frankly, I'd feel uncomfortable if we did get married now."
    "This is a total switch."
    "Exactly," Joanna said. "Here he is trying to move the date up and I'd be arguing to postpone. I need some time and space."
    "I understand completely,' Deborah said. "And you know what? I think you're being smart not to let this situation turn into a petulant debate."
    "The problem is I do love him," Joanna said with a wry smile. "If there was any debate, I might lose."
    Deborah laughed. "I agree. You're such a new convert to a more modern, sensible attitude about marriage, that you're vulnerable to a relapse. You definitely need time and space. And you know what? I think I have the answer."
    "The answer to what?" Joanna asked.
    "Let me show you something," Deborah said. She climbed to her feet and picked up the latest issue of the Harvard Crimson lying on her desk. It was folded lengthwise in the classified section. She handed the paper to Joanna.
    Joanna scanned the page and read the circled ad. She looked up at Deborah questioningly. "Is this ad from the Wingate Clinic what you wanted me to see?"
    "It is indeed," Deborah said enthusiastically.
    "This is an advertisement for egg donors," Joanna said.
    "Precisely," Deborah said.
    "How is this the answer?" Joanna asked.
    Deborah came around the coffee table and sat down next to Joanna. With her index finger she pointed to the offered compensation. "The money is the answer," she said. "Forty-five thousand dollars a pop!"
    "This ad was in an issue of the Crimson last spring and caused a buzz," Joanna said. "Then it never reappeared. Do you think it's legit or some kind of college prank?"
    "I think it's legit," Deborah said. "Wingate is