Shock

"I wouldn't do it again," Joa

Before Deborah could respond, Dr. Donaldson's voice interrupted the music. She identified herself with a degree of urgency and asked how she could be of assistance.

"I'm a former egg donor at your institution," Joa

"What's the problem?" Dr. Donaldson demanded impatiently. "The operator implied there was a problem."

"I specifically told her there was no problem." "How long ago did you donate?" "Just about a year and a half."

"What is your name?" Dr. Donaldson asked, her voice decidedly calmer.

"Joa

"I'm impressed," Joa

"What is it you'd like to ask?"

Joa

"I'm sorry but that information is confidential."

"We don't need names or anything like that,' Joa

"I'm sorry, all information, and I mean all information of that sort, is strictly confidential."

"Can you at least tell us if children were born?" Joa

"I'm sorry but we have stringent rules that preclude giving out any information whatsoever. I don't know how to say it any clearer."

Joa

"Hello, Dr. Donaldson!" Deborah called out. She leaned forward to speak directly into the speaker phone. "This is Deborah Cochrane, and I'm here as well with Joa

Joa

"We keep a computerized record," Dr. Donaldson said. "In the unlikely event that something like what you are talking about were to occur, we might contact you. But that would be the only exception, and it is extremely unlikely. And even if it were to happen, the involved parties would still have the option of remaining anonymous. We would not give any of the information out."

Deborah threw up her hands.

"The only time the situation is different is when one of our clients finds their own donor," Dr. Donaldson continued. "But that is a completely different circumstance. It's called an open donation."

"Thank you, Dr. Donaldson," Joa

"I'm sorry."

Joa

"Well, that's that," Deborah said with a sigh.

"I'm not giving up so easily," Joa

"What do you have in mind?"

Joa

"Yeah, I put it into Favorites," Deborah said. She got off the couch and came over to watch Joa

"It's software that blocks unauthorized access," Joa

"No luck, huh?" Deborah said over Joa

"Unfortunately, no," Joa

"I'm not even going to ask what that means," Deborah said. She yawned and then made her way back to the couch where she stretched out full length.

Suddenly Joa

"Who the hell is he?" Deborah asked.

"A classmate," Joa

"Why on earth are you calling him now?"

"He's very computer-savvy," Joa

"Calling in the pros," Deborah commented with a wry smile.

"Something like that," Joa

Deborah put her hands behind her head and watched Joa

"This whole issue has been gnawing at me for too long," Joa

SIX

WHAT TIME IS IT?" DEBORAH asked sleepily.

"Almost nine,' Joa

The conversation with David Washburn had gone well. After Joa

"I can't afford any electronic trail to my machine," he had explained. "I'm on informal probation after slipping some porno shots onto the Defense Department web page with the caption Make • love not war. Unfortunately, the Feds were less than amused."

Deborah yawned noisily. "Are you sure he meant tonight?"

"I'm positive," Joa

"I'm afraid I'm not going to stay awake," Deborah said. "Do you realize it's three o'clock in the morning back in Italy where our bodies think they are?"

"Why don't you turn in?" Joa

"Aren't you tired?"

"I'm exhausted," Joa

Deborah put her feet over onto the floor, pushed herself up to a sitting position, but before she could stand, a raucous buzz filled the room. Both women started. It had been the first time they'd heard the front doorbell, and it was considerably louder than they expected.

"No fear we'll ever miss that,' Deborah said, collapsing back onto the couch.

Joa

"You're on your own."

Joa

"It's me, David!" a distant voice responded.

"Okay," Joa