Please let Claire know that our meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday at noon, but I would like to get together with her before that so we can brainstorm. We need to get the fund-raising calendar set by the next meeting. Attached is a file she needs to review. If one of you could let me know when a good time to get together is I would appreciate it. Courtney
(Paper clipped to the e-mail was a five-page report)
Claire didn’t know what to say, finally she weakly managed, “Thank you.”
He didn’t reply. He watched and continued to evaluate her response. She went back to the stack. The e-mail under Courtney’s was from Emily. It too was dated February 25, 2011. However, it was a series of correspondences.
February 25, 2011
Hi, it is me again. I realize that Claire is busy with her new responsibilities, but I would like to talk to her. I’m usually home most evenings. It has been almost two months. I have sent many e-mails and tried numerous times to call. Thank you, Emily.
February 11, 2011
Mrs. Rawlings is unable to respond to your request at this time.
Patricia M.
February 9, 2011
Hello, this is Emily Vandersol, again. Could you please inform Mrs. Rawlings that her sister would like to speak to her? Thank you.
February 2, 2011
Mrs. Rawlings is unable to respond to your request at this time.
Patricia M.
February 1, 2011
Hello, Emily Vandersol here. I’m the sister of Mrs. Rawlings. I’m not sure who is replying to these e-mails. I have attempted to reach Mr. Rawlings to no avail. Please inform Mr. Rawlings or Mrs. Rawlings that my husband and I would like to talk with them. We would be happy to meet them if they plan a trip to New York, or a telephone call would be acceptable. I look forward to your response.
January 23, 2011
Mrs. Rawlings is unable to respond to your request at this time.
Patricia M.
January 22, 2011
Hello, Anthony, are you receiving my e-mails? I know that you have learned of John’s decision. I would like to talk to you and Claire. We need to be sure this job thing doesn’t affect our family relationship. Let me talk to you about John and his reasoning. Please pass this on to Claire. I will be home all weekend, she can call anytime.
Thanks. Em.
January 17, 2011
Mrs. Rawlings is unable to respond to your request at this time.
Patricia M.
January 15, 2011
Hi, Anthony and Claire, I had hoped we could talk, but I haven’t been able to reach you. John is meeting with Tom on Monday. It would be nice if I could talk with Claire and settle a few things before John’s meeting. I hope you check your e-mails on the weekend. I will be waiting for your or Claire’s call. By the way, I saw some of your wedding photos in the grocery store this morning. You two looked wonderful. Please call.
January 4, 2011
Mrs. Rawlings is unable to respond to your request at this time.
Patricia M.
January 3, 2011
Hi, Anthony, I need to speak to Claire again. I’m not sure if she told you, but I brought up John’s job offer the other day. I’ve been thinking about it, and feeling guilty. It wasn’t fair of me to talk to her about it. I know you all have a lot going on. John wanted to know if she had anything to do with your offer. I could tell she really did not know anything about it. I need to tell her I’m sorry for putting her in a difficult position. I appreciate what you are offering John. I am trying to stay out of his decision process. But I would like to talk to Claire some more, it was so nice to see more of her during the wedding. Please ask her to call me, and tell her I love her. The photos of you two on the news were amazing. Thanks again for the transportation and the stay in your home. It was beautiful.
Thank you,
Emily
This history was stapled together. Claire’s eyes were wet by the time she finished Emily’s last or first e-mail. She looked up at Tony. He still didn’t speak, his dark eyes glared. Claire wondered what she was supposed to do with this information. Perhaps it was her head, but she truly didn’t know how to respond, so she asked, “Thank you for giving me my invitations, now what am I supposed to do with this knowledge?”
“Tell me what you want to do.” His tone hard.