I used to think the biggest threat to a marriage was another man. I was wrong. Sometimes the real threat is a family that decides your marriage is less important than what they want from your wife. My name is Larry and at the time this started, Anna and I had been married for six years. We lived in Seattle in a quiet neighborhood where most of the houses looked the same and everyone seemed to mind their own business.
I worked as a regional sales manager for a construction equipment company, which meant I traveled often, but I had built a stable life for us. Anna worked remotely as a graphic designer. We weren't rich, but we were comfortable. We had a house, two cars, savings, and plans. Children were part of those plans, just not yet.
Anna and I had agreed to wait another year or two before trying. We wanted to travel more, finish paying off the house, and enjoy some time together without immediately changing everything. I never questioned that decision. Neither did Anna. At least that's what I thought.
Her older sister, Clare, was different. Clare had been married to Gregory for almost seven years, and they had been trying to have a child for most of that time. They had gone through fertility treatments, consultations, medications, and procedures that seemed to consume every conversation whenever we visited. Nothing worked. At first, I felt sorry for them.
Then I started noticing how often Anna was involved. She would leave the room with Clare and whisper for 20 minutes. She started taking calls from her sister late at night. Whenever I walked into the room, the conversation would suddenly stop. One evening, I came home earlier than expected.
Anna was sitting at the kitchen table with her phone in her hand. She looked up quickly. What are you doing talking to Clare about? She hesitated. Nothing important.
I put my keys on the counter. That didn't look like nothing. She gave me a small smile. You're overthinking it. I didn't argue, but I remembered it.
A few weeks later, we went to Clare and Gregory's house for dinner. Clare barely touched her food. After we finished eating, Gregory poured himself another drink while Margaret, Anna's mother, sat across from me. Then Margaret said something that changed the entire evening. Anna could help.
I looked at her. Help with what? Clare stared at her plate. Margaret looked directly at Anna. You know what I mean?
Anna didn't answer. I felt something tighten in my chest. Actually, I don't. Margaret sighed. Clare needs a surrogate.
The room went silent. I looked at Anna. She wouldn't meet my eyes. That was when I understood this wasn't a random idea. They had already discussed it, maybe more than once.
I turned toward my wife. Did you know about this? Anna finally looked at me. Yes. How long?
She swallowed. "A little while. " "A little while? " Please don't make this into something bigger than it is. I stared at her. You're talking about carrying a child for your sister. I know.
With Gregory's embryo. She nodded. I pushed my chair back slightly. And you were discussing this without me? Anna lowered her voice.
I didn't agree to anything. Margaret immediately interrupted. She hasn't agreed because she knew you'd react exactly like this. I looked at her. Exactly like what?