Breeding My Boss’s Wife(5)

Gabi came in every now and then, and I briefed her on what was going on with the company. She would carry the information to Jake, normally accompanied by a brief, but succinct written report on our progress. She never came back with a question, which led me to believe that Jake was satisfied with my stewardship of the company.

But Gabi’s focus was on Jake. For a trophy wife, she was a surprisingly good one, and I found her at his side every time I visited him, either at home or at the hospital. She proved to be loyal, doting, and most especially, beautiful.

Then came the day that Jake returned. Gaunt, his body ravaged by his treatments, and bald as a cue ball from the chemo, he announced his return. At first, he only worked a couple of hours a day, but as his energy returned, his days became longer. He was soon working half days, which soon slipped into full days. Within a couple of months, he was back to his workaholic habits, and seemed to be his usual vigorous self. Even his hair grew back in, and his appearance looked better as he put weight back on.

Soon, it was time for the annual Christmas party. It was held at Jake and Gabi’s house, as usual, as Jake eschewed the expensive rented locations and concentrated on paying for good food, and especially, lots of free booze for the employees. It was his way of throwing a good bash, without costing the company an arm and a leg.

Jake asked me to stay over with him and Gabi, rather than drive home the night of the party. I expected a pretty wild time, as Jake’s Christmas parties were the stuff of legend. I expected this one to be unsurpassed for its debauchery, as Jake celebrated not only a wildly successful year, but his own survival from the cancer ordeal.

“Chris, I’d also like for you to come by a little early. Say 5 o’clock?” he told me the day before the party. “There’s something Gabi and I want to talk to you about.”

“Sure. Not a problem.”

I had no idea what they wanted to talk to me about. But when I found out later, there’s simply no way that I could have been more surprised.

When I arrived at their house at the appointed hour, Gabi met me at the door. She brightened the room with a huge smile, and then leaned forward to plant a kiss on one cheek and then the other. She was unusually animated and chipper.

“Chris, it’s so good to see you!” Her voice was bright and pleasant. And sexy, come to think of it. “Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas to you too, Gabi.”

She led me into a sitting room. Jake was obviously waiting for us. He stood to greet me.

“Merry Christmas, Chris,” he told me simply.

“Shouldn’t that be Happy Hannukah?” I asked with a grin.

“Hey, when you’re just about the only Jew in the room, it doesn’t really matter. I just figure, when in Rome do as the Romans do, right?” He chuckled slightly as he sat down.

“Well, having a good time is the priority tonight. Who cares what the hell we call it?” I laughed as I really did look forward to this evening.

“Agreed!” Jake’s said brightly, then he turned and looked seriously at Gabi, and then faced me again.

“Chris, Gabi and I have a favor we would like to ask you.” Jake asked, eyeing me very seriously.

“Jake, you know all you have to do is ask.” I told him naively, with no idea what he was asking. “I’d do anything for you guys.”

“Well, maybe you ought to let me ask first,” Jake chuckled. “You might change your mind.”

“OK,” I said simply. I realized later how unprepared I was for their bombshell.

“Chris, I’ve never talked about it with anyone, but Gabi and I have been trying to have children for quite some time. For whatever reason, we haven’t been able to.” I just looked at Jake, trying to figure out how this was going to involve me.

“And now, I’m being told that the combination of the surgery, radiation and chemo treatments has destroyed any capability I had to father a child.”

“I’m really sorry to hear that, Jake,” I told him sincerely.

“So Gabi and I discussed some guys that we thought would be good choices to ask for help, and you were at the top of both of our lists,” Jake said.

“Excuse me?” I was totally baffled at this conversation. The magnitude of the subject, coupled with my naiveté kept me from having a clue what they were driving at.

“Jake,” Gabi said. “We’re asking if you would consider being a sperm donor so that I can have a child.”

I swear I felt the world spin when Gabi made this pronouncement. If I had known then what she really had in mind, I probably would have either passed out or jumped up and bolted from the house.