“I did, and I still mean that.”
“I believe you know what could happen if you did.” Feeling the prickling sensation that accompanies chills along your arms and legs, Claire believed she did know, but she didn’t confirm that verbally. She allowed Tony to continue talking. “And therefore I have allowed you to become part of my life.” She thought that he honestly meant that as a compliment and she should be flattered; however, the feeling felt more ominous. She wondered and worried about her release. This quiet peaceful setting wasn’t the time or place to voice her concerns. Instead, she decided to put it away and deal with it later. “Since you have been seen with me at various events and I am rarely seen with the same woman over time, you are a rumor. There have been countless speculations about you. Everyone, like the man at the benefit, wants to know who you are and what you are to me.”
Claire admitted to herself that she too would like the answer to those questions. “I saw our picture in a People Magazine that was in your library.”
He said that their picture had appeared in many publications. His publicist had kept information limited to the basics: her name and that she lived in Atlanta. The people at this barbeque were part of his inner circle and won’t betray his trust. Other than Elijah Summer, their jobs and livelihood depended on Tony. Elijah was a more public person, but he respected Tony and wouldn’t compromise their mutual relationship.
She tried one more time, “And I am . . .”
“Persistent.” His eyes were milk chocolate with a contented expression. He spoke as he moved from the loveseat to the floor of the sunporch. “Well, I would say more than an acquaintance.” Kneeling in front of her and gently spreading her knees, he moved his hand under the hem of her skirt. Their eyes met as the sides of his mouth turned upward into a devilish grin. “Shall we say companion?”
If that was a question, she didn’t answer. Her attentions were turned to his actions. His touch eventually directed her from the chair to the rug. The windows and doors were open and they were exposed to the world. It was his house, he didn’t care. His movements were calm like his tone. The staff didn’t return until they were done.
Late Sunday night Shelby on the Weather Channel said a cold front would pass over Iowa. Claire awoke and opened the drapes to find condensation on the windows with crystal clear skies beyond. She stepped onto her balcony, looked at the trees, and smelled the fresh autumn air. The cool concrete beneath her bare feet and the goose bumps on her arms and legs confirmed the decrease in temperature. Wrapping her arms and her thick cashmere robe around her, she entertained fleeting memories of autumns past. She always loved summers but autumns were special too with cookouts and football games. Today the change of season saddened her, another reminder of time slipping away.
While in the shower, she contemplated the impending barbeque. It was a new situation, a new test and made her anxious. She hadn’t received a direct answer to her question, so Claire decided to approach the people like she was told to approach Emily. She would try to turn conversation away from her and divulge as little information as possible. Evasive answers would be best. There was a time she had loved parties, getting together with people, laughing, talking, and sharing. Now she was petrified of saying or doing something wrong.
Stepping from the shower Claire discovered her clothes laid on her bed. Sometimes that upset her, other times like today it was reassuring—one less decision to mess up. She did her hair, makeup, and dressed. At ten thirty she was ready, an hour before they were to leave.
The balcony held two chairs. She sat plaintively and watched the trees through sunglassed eyes. The bright sunshine caused a rapid increase in temperature. The trees rustled in the gentle breeze. Vibrant hues of yellow and orange were beginning to emerge from the green canvas. Her mind wandered through the woods to her lake. She hadn’t been back since Tony’s return. That is to say, physically. Mentally she would be sitting on the shore, watching the minnows or listening to the water rhythmically lap at the shore. As a matter of fact she was sitting on the shore in her mind when Tony materialized behind her. “Oh, good morning, Tony, I didn’t hear you enter.” He sat in the other chair.
“Good morning, where were you?”
“I’ve been here. I have nowhere else to go.”
“You seemed to be reflecting thoughtfully.”
“I was thinking about the trees,” being partially honest. “Their leaves are changing already.”