Free One Last Lie by Rob Kaufman

know!”
    “G!” Phillip jumped up, grabbed her, and pulled her close. “You look so hot!” He gently fondled the tight bun on top of her head. “And professional, too.”
    She pecked him on the lips. “You look better than ever, as usual.” She threw her legal pad and cell phone onto the table and glanced at Jonathan. “Are you going to come over here to give me a proper greeting?”
    Jonathan walked over, kissed her cheek and hugged her. It felt good to see her familiar face and warm smile among such cold surroundings.
    “Congrats on the partnership,” he said, holding her at arm’s length to get a better look. “We’re so proud of you.”
    “Thank you.” She sat in one of the cushy leather chairs along the table and placed her notepad in front of her.
    “It’s still a bit strange seeing my name at the top of the letterhead and on the office signs. But I have to tell you, it also feels good.”
    Philip and Jonathan sat down across from her.
    “You definitely deserve it,” Philip said. “And by the look of that suit, it seems you also got a raise.”
    She brushed her hand along the notched lapels of her slim beige suit jacket; the black silk cami beneath it showing just enough flesh to stimulate curiosity.
    “Armani,” she said. “But I still look for sales. Some things are just inherent, I guess. Can’t let a good deal go by. Just like my mother.”
    Jonathan touched the arm of her jacket, remembering G’s mother, who’d died of breast cancer almost two years earlier. G was a spitting image of her mom, with the roundest of blue eyes, their color enhanced by a subtle shade of bronze eye shadow and deep brown eyeliner. A slight hint of crow’s feet extended from the corner of her eyes, no doubt caused by late hours, hard work, and lack of sleep. With her hair pulled back from her face, Jonathan saw a beauty in her he’d never noticed before; a graceful profile, almost angelic, like that of a ballerina he’d seen in a portrait at the Met. The ballerina’s photo had been surrounded by fog, giving the young dancer a spiritual quality. For a split second, Jonathan felt the same way about G and the real reason he and Philip were visiting her. Suddenly the idea of having a child felt surreal.
    “To the subject at hand,” G announced. “First we’ll talk from a legal perspective, then I’ll give my thoughts from a personal point of view, okay?
    Both men nodded.
    “I researched your issue, and I have to say it’s more complex than you might think. States handle sperm donation differently. Some statutes give great weight to the interests of the progeny. And others do not.”
    Jonathan raised his hand as though a student in class.
    “Yes, Jonathan?” she responded like a teacher, smiling at his wide-eyed innocence.
    “You’re talking statutes and progeny. We’re kind of ignorant about this whole thing, so legalese isn’t going to work. Can you dumb it down for us, please?”
    “Got it,” G looked toward the ceiling as though trying to translate her legal thoughts into laymen’s terms. “What I’m about to go over with you only pertains to a situation in which something might go amiss between you and Angela. Right now, the three of you are getting along great. If all goes as planned, Jonathan’s sperm will be implanted into Angela, a healthy baby will be born, and Angela will have custody of the child with the two of you acting as guardians with very open visitation rights. Am I correct so far?”
    Again they shook their head in unison.
    “Great. So let’s say something goes wrong. For instance, let’s say you disagree with how she’s raising the child and get into a fight with her. She could try to prohibit visitation. Or suppose she loses her job and wants you to increase child support. That’s where things can get complicated, especially when it comes to sperm donation cases. Are you with me?”
    “So far, so good.” Jonathan answered for both of them.
    “Now, certain mothers