“When you’re dressed come to my office,” he said as he stood to leave. He paused to touch her shoulder.
Obediently she replied, “I will be there as soon as I can.”
He kissed her cheek. “Or you could visit before you dress?” His tone suddenly playful.
She touched his hand. “If I do that, you may not get your work done.” He reluctantly agreed and went to his office. She smiled at his attire: shirt, tie, NYU sweatpants, socks, and slippers. That comment to Vanity Fair had been truthful.
Claire’s thoughts wandered as she sipped her coffee, ate her breakfast, and looked out the tall windows. For January the sky was an amazingly clear sapphire blue. Suddenly, she longed to be outside and in the sunshine. The John situation had her heartsick. Maybe some fresh air would give her a new perspective and some ideas to help her family. The beautiful scene outside the window beckoned her to walk, roam, get away, if only for a few hours. The snow of the last few weeks was melted, yet today it was cold enough to keep the ground solid. Perhaps she would have time for a hike before Tony’s ideas. Maybe she could entice him to walk too. He might have some ideas to help John.
Thinking about her walk, Claire finished her shower and left her bathroom considering the appropriate clothes: jeans, a sweater, hiking boots. Her plans didn’t matter. She saw that her clothes were laid out. She hated that. This attire assistance occurred without predictability since her accident. There were jeans, dressier than she would have chosen, and a blue snug-fitting V-neck sweater—not exactly perfect for hiking, but with the addition of a coat and scarf it could work.
Then she noticed her jewelry on the dressing table. Her internal monologue: Seriously, it is morning, who needs diamonds in the morning? Avoiding an unnecessary confrontation, she did as she had been bid, dressed in the clothes, and put on the diamond journey necklace, diamond stud earrings, and diamond watch. Her new watch from Switzerland was beautiful, but it sat on her wrist as a constant reminder of punctuality. She’d been late twice. She didn’t need a watch to remind her of Tony’s appreciation. The first time taught her a lesson she would never forget.
Luckily, there were no shoes set out. She could put on the hiking boots and hope for the best. She was pretty sure Tony’s ideas didn’t include shoes, but hers did. Maybe he could find his hiking boots too.
It was almost ten by the time she reached his office. She knocked and waited for his permission to enter. She didn’t hear him but the door opened and she entered, seeing him seated behind his desk with a shirt and tie, looking so professional. She smiled and quietly sat on the leather sofa away from the webcams and waited for the web conference to finish.
It had something to do with a company in Michigan that was losing money. The local government wasn’t willing to give more tax breaks. Were they going to close it or keep it open? The discussion revolved around the potential for future profits. It would probably result in more unemployed people. Claire didn’t want to think about it. She picked up a magazine and began quietly ruffling through the pages.
Ten forty-five he finally finished. She waited for him to complete whatever he was doing on his computer. Once he was done she heard his chair turn toward her. “Ahh, blue, my favorite color,” he said as he eyed the sweater as she walked toward him. “You are beautiful in any color.” His eyes were appreciative of what he could see and what he couldn’t. “Or in no color.” And he smiled and reached out to put his hands around her waist. “I have one more web conference at eleven, then two lunch phone calls. I would like you back after those.” It sounded like a request, it wasn’t.
“It is so nice out. I would like to go for a hike while you are working.” Wording was such an intricate part of her negotiations.
“No, the phone calls may need to be postponed depending on the outcome of the next web conference. I would like you here if I am done earlier. We can lunch and discuss our possible afternoon activities.” He had turned back to his computer screen and read while he spoke.
Claire took a breath, leaned down to his neck, and gently kissed it. She’d been good, he knew she was upset about her family, and she hoped that she could press a little more. “Well,” exhaling purposely on his neck, “then may I just go out back? The sky is so clear and I could really use some fresh air.”
He was obviously engrossed in his computer but her approach earned her a seductive grin. “Okay, just be back by noon. And could you get me some coffee before you go?” Claire started to ask where Catherine or another member of the staff was, but deciding that it could delay her trip to the backyard, she kissed his neck. “Yes.”
In the kitchen she found coffee still warm in the pot. She added cream, carried it back to his office, and waited. It was now ten fifty-seven. Tony rummaged through some papers and simultaneously spoke on his iPhone. Hanging up he said, “Tell Eric there are contracts at the Iowa City office. I need them here before one o’clock. He needs to get them immediately.” Claire thought about how he was trying to keep her busy at home. She really didn’t mind, but she wanted to go on her walk. He saw the question in her eyes. “And after that, go for your walk, just be back by noon.”
She smiled and kissed his cheek. “Okay. I will tell Eric and be back.”
She hurried to find Eric. Claire asked Catherine about Eric’s whereabouts and explained she would be in the backyard if Mr. Rawlings needed her before noon. Catherine directed Claire to Eric’s apartment attached to the main garage. She started back toward the garages, a walk she rarely took. She didn’t drive, and when she went anywhere Eric or Tony picked her up at the front door.
The walkway between the main house and garages was beautiful. The windows, on both sides continued the full length of the hall and were so clear they seemed invisible. She looked at the sky and thought about her sister and brother-in-law. Emily sounded so distraught on the phone last night. The fact Tony reminded her to call was a miracle in itself. The fact that she spoke on speaker phone was expected. Claire couldn’t believe that John was actually in jail. The charges of embezzlement and fictitious client billing were ludicrous. John would never cheat on a test, much less do any of these things. That was what made John such an amazing attorney, he was honest beyond honest. Claire tried to reassure Emily. She wanted to go to her and help. However, Tony would never allow that. Perhaps she could send money for John’s defense. After all, wasn’t Tony telling her all the time how much capital she possessed? If money wasn’t good for accomplishing what you want, what good was it?
Her thoughts quickly changed to the beautiful cars as she entered the garages. Tony definitely liked his cars. Claire knew they had multiple new ones since her arrival. It was too bad she didn’t drive. Sighing, she thought, It has been almost two years.
Light filtered from under the apartment door as Claire knocked. Eric immediately answered. What she could see of his apartment looked like a nicely decorated living room with a dining area attached. “Yes, Mrs. Rawlings, may I help you?”
“Eric, Mr. Rawlings said there are some contracts at his Iowa City office that he must have by one o’clock. If you go immediately you will be back in time.” As Claire spoke, Eric grabbed his coat and hat. He unlocked a cabinet on the wall that contained keys to all the cars, took out the keys to the BMW 7 Series, and shut the cabinet.
Hurriedly Eric looked at his watch. “Ma’am, tell Mr. Rawlings I will be back before twelve thirty.” He got into the car.
“I will, drive safely.” Claire figured it could wait until she saw him at noon. As Eric pulled out of the garage Claire noticed the key cabinet. It did not shut properly, revealing the keys to multiple cars. Suddenly nervous, Claire contemplated the keys. She should shut the cabinet. Then she could go out to the backyard for air. Or she could take a set of keys and drive to as much air as she wanted. She wasn’t thinking air for a lifetime, only enough air to breathe.