Free from the constant failure of my attempts to have a relationship I was able to concentrate fully on my career. I felt a bit lonesome at times but I got over it eventually. Life was simpler without the constant disappointment. But as the realization of my age hit me, a new idea popped into my mind and nagged at me constantly.

I wanted a baby. I didn't want to deal with men anymore but my maternal instincts were kicking in to overdrive and there was no way to fight it. I thought about it constantly. And I was running out of time.

I had even gone so far as to visit a fertility clinic to discuss artificial insemination. I wasn't sure if I would go that route but it was better than nothing. At least I'd have the baby I craved.

I did my best to picture myself pregnant. I imagined rubbing my baby bump as it grew. And I thought intensely about the baby that was somehow on its way to me as I furiously scrubbed that pesky spot on my chalkboard on the last day of the semester.

Just then I heard the door open. I turned to find Colleen, the wife of my principal, Rod.

Rod was my mentor. I had to confess to having a bit of a crush on him for a few years but he never showed much interest in me except professionally. Then he married Colleen and she and I became fast friends. I tried not to be too envious of her.

Colleen gave me a wicked smile - she was always up to some mischief - as she waddled in. She was very pregnant and ready to deliver any day. Her baby-belly was huge.

"Be with you in a sec." I smiled back. "We're still going for coffee?"

"Change of plans," said Colleen.

Four young men followed her in. I recognized a couple of them from the hallways. The other two had been in my French class.

"Bon Jour, Ben! Bon Jour, Antonio!"

Ben and Antonio just smiled at me. Ben had pale blue eyes and was starting to grow a beard, probably his first. Antonio had a darker complexion and deep, brown eyes.

"You know those two," said Colleen. "I got a couple others, too, just in case. This is Jamaal and this is Steven. They're all 18 now and they've all graduated so there's no potential legal problems."

"Hi," said Steven in a deep voice that belied his youthful-looking features which were delicate, almost feminine. His body was long and lean. Jamaal was a huge, muscular specimen with dark skin.

All the young men looked at me like they could see through my clothes. It made me a bit uncomfortable.

"I thought we were going for coffee to celebrate the end of the semester?" I protested nervously. I didn't know what she was up to but I wasn't sure I liked it.

"We're not going anywhere until we get something out of the way." Colleen turned and locked the door. I didn't understand.

"What's going on?"

"Don't play coy with me. You agreed to this."

"Agreed to what?"

"Come on. Last Saturday. At lunch when you got totally wasted and spilled your whole life story to me."

I cringed. I had been so drunk I had nearly forgotten what we had talked about. I had indeed spilled my guts about my trouble with men and how I had given up on them. I had even told her I wanted a baby. I remembered rubbing her baby-belly enviously.

I had even told her I was a virgin. And, worst of all, when I dropped my purse she had seen the appointment card for the fertility clinic.

"Remember how you told me you were a virgin and you wanted a baby but how I had a much better way to solve all your problems?"

I turned a bright shade of purple. The young men all smiled like hungry wolves.

"No! I don't remember that at all!" I squeaked defensively.

I tried to overcome the alcohol haze that veiled my memory. I had a sinking feeling that she was telling the truth.

"I knew this would happen so I took a video. You were so drunk." Colleen pulled out her phone and showed me a video of myself trying not to fall off my bar stool. I watched as I struggled to speak coherently.

"I agree that you have a better way than the stupid artificial insemination thingy to get me my baby," I said. "And you can fix my problems with asshole men and make me not a virgin any...any...anymore." I let out an audible hiccup. The bar patrons around me all laughed hysterically. "I agree to do whatever you say. I'll do it!" I raised my hands over my head victoriously as I finally slid off the stool, down to the floor and out of view. She stopped the video.

"See, you totally agreed to this and it's going to happen."

"Agreed to what? You never told me what it was!"

"I know!" said Colleen. "Isn't that just the best part? It's a surprise!"

"So...what's the surprise?" I didn't like where this was going.

"Technically it's four surprises." She pointed to the young men.

"What are you talking about?"

"It's them, stupid. Do I have to draw you a map?"

"Them?!?" I was stunned. She didn't think that...no...she couldn't mean that.

"Ms. Lilly here thinks that she's not attractive," said Colleen. "What do you boys think?"

They all stared at me. I didn't like being the center of attention like that. They were certainly attractive young men but that made me even more nervous about them looking at me.

"She's fine," said Jamaal in a voice even deeper than Steven's.

"She has a beautiful body. I want to see more of her," said Steven.

"I bet she tastes very good," added Antonio. I tried not to blush but I'm sure I did.

They all moved slowly toward me.

"They want to see your beautiful body, Ms. Lilly. Why don't you show them. They appreciate how hot you are even if you don't."

"What do you mean?"

"Take off your clothes for them," said Colleen. "Let them see you."

I couldn't believe she was taking it this far. I couldn't even speak.

Steven moved in very close.

"Why don't you help her?" Colleen suggested.

Ben moved in closer as well. I backed away.

"It's okay," said Colleen. "She wants this."

Ben was the first to put his hands on me. He took me gently but firmly by the arm. Steven took my other arm.

"What? Wait," I pleaded.

Jamaal began to unbutton my blouse. His giant fingers were surprisingly nimble. I tried to move away from them. Ben and Steven tightened their grip on me.

My blouse was open as Antonio reached around to unzip my skirt.