I looked at it this way, this is drama that I created - I need to face it head on. I'm not going to just avoid/ignore it.
So last night about 6pm, I hit the gym to get in a quick 3 miles to relieve some anxiety. I left the gym, went back to my place, shower and changed to go over to Barb's. She confirmed her address via text and I said I'll be there around 9:30. I wanted to feel comfortable so I threw on a pair of blue True Religion jeans, button up Tom Ford (not tucked in) and slip-on Salvatore Farragamos. I was still torqued up from my run so I didn't want to wear a jacket.
I drove out to Burke, stopped on the way and picked up a few bottles of Robert Mondavi moscato (I typically don't like moscato because they're too sweat but this Mondavi brand has more of a "plant" taste instead of a sweat fruity taste). Anyway.
I pull up to to their place and parked on the street, it's a nice size townhouse. I start walking up the driveway to the front door and it opens, it's Barb. "Hi Ron! come on in!". I walk in, present my dining gift, she says thank you and kisses my cheek - the place looks overly done with decoder, like they just decided to buy an entire store of crap from Kirkland's and just put it anywhere. Michael is sitting in the dining room area at the table, I wave hi and he stands up to greet me with a hug as I now notice his struggle to stand up and sit down.
"Let me show you around", says Barb. Michael continues to sit at the dining room table while Barbra shows me around her place. There is literally decor everywhere, a sconce for every light and a fake vase in every corner; every table has settings and every wall is covered in objects. It was like walking through a Cracker Barrel.
We walk back into the dining room area, Barb pours the moscato for us all then brings out a snack tray with assorted cheese, crackers and fruit. I was still standing while we're having small talk and Barb insisted I sit down - the three of us sat at the dining room table - this felt so awkward to me. After baring the absolute minimum amount of pleasantries I could withstand, I said:
Me: Well, you insisted I come over to talk, what's on your mind?
Michael: Well, we were talking and just thought...I don't know (he stammered a bit then deferred to Barb).
Barb: You see Ronnie, Michael and I were thinking you know.
(this weird non-substantive babbling went on for a bit - I continued to look at them both like, well get to the point).
Michael speaks up, "We want to have kids Ron but I can't"
Me: I'm sure there are some options out there for you. Why bring this up to me?
Barb: Michael and I wondered if you would be interested in being a donor.
I sat silently for a sec.
Me: I'm sorry, I can't help you (before I could finish, Barb jumps in).
Barb: We'll pay you - there are just some standard tests you have to do to make sure but considering our different backgrounds the odds of any hereditary problems should be low. We really like you Ron and Michael and I think we would have beautiful strong children. We would take all the necessary legal protections to ensure you would only know the kid if you wanted to. (she continues to ramble a bit but I stopped listening because this conversation is about to end real fast).
(she finally gives me room to respond)
Me: Barb, I can't have kids. I got a vasectomy about 8 years ago.
They looked devastated.
Barb starts to tear up; Michael begins to talk about other options and 'what if' scenarios for having kids post-vasectomy seemingly in an effort to console Barbra. I told them both I wouldn't be interested in any scenario that involves me having more kids. I'm not saying Barb and Michael wouldn't make great parents, I'm just not interested in them being parents to my kid.
Me: I'm sorry, I understand why you wanted to have this conversation in person but there is really no need for us to continue it. It's late, I need to go.
Barb and Michael want me to stay, they apologies (for what I don't know) but I insist on leaving for the night.
I drove back to my place, poured a stiff drink and watched a few episodes of Fargo (season 1, just started watching it).