Consequences (27 page)

Back in Tony’s room she found his note:

I
am
sure
you
remember
that
your
appointment
is
at
9:00,
don’t
be
late.
I
plan
to
be
back
to
the
apartment
by
6:00
p.m.
You mentioned
shopping
last
night
at
dinner,
I have
left
you
your
credit
card
and
ID.
There
is
also
ample
cash
for
tipping
and
incidentals.
After your
spa
day,
Charles
will
help
you
with
transportation
to
shopping.
Do
not
forget
my
rules.
I
trust
you
know
better
than
that.

He never began his notes with a salutation or signed them. Claire looked in the envelope under the note. It contained her ID and credit card, as well as over $1,000 in different denominations.

Claire thought it was unnecessary that Tony
kept
her ID and credit card. It isn’t as if she had the opportunity to use it whenever she wanted. And the amount of cash seemed excessive until she saw the small Post-It note on one of the bills:

$100
per
stylist
that
assists
you

Claire decided that was helpful, she wouldn’t have considered tipping that much. Maybe some instruction is helpful.

She arrived at the Day Spa ten minutes early. They greeted her and ushered her to one of the treatment rooms. Instead of music, the air permeated with sounds of nature and the aroma of scented candles. Indirect lighting helped to complete the relaxing atmosphere. To begin her day of pampering they directed her to a large whirlpool tub. Once submerged, the assistant added a special mixture of oils and powders based on Claire’s answers to some preference questions. After the tub, Claire was led to the massage table, where they asked her to lie with her face submerged in a hole. Suddenly besieged by a rush of unpleasant memories, she did her best to control her emotions and lie down. The masseuse began with Claire’s shoulders and commented on the tightness of her muscles. It didn’t take long for the combination of the bath oils, ambiance, and magic of the masseuse’s hands to ease the tension. At the conclusion of the massage every muscle in Claire’s body felt loose and relaxed.

Next they proceeded to the hair salon. Apparently, when making Claire’s reservations a highlight procedure had been requested. Never in all of her life had she colored her hair. The apprehension brought back some tension to her shoulders. However, she knew that Tony had been the one to plan her treatment, so the idea of changing it was more unsettling. While the color sat on her hair, they treated her to a facial that claimed skin rejuvenation. After they washed and conditioned her hair, the stylist began trimming and styling.

When Claire’s chair spun around she gazed at her auburn tresses that now contained generous caramel and light blonde highlights. It all blended beautifully, and the length hadn’t really changed. The result looked healthy, shaped, stunning, and different.

Next they offered Claire a menu. She enthusiastically ordered her own lunch, deciding on a sushi variety plate with a side salad. Claire decided Tony must not like sushi. She hadn’t eaten any in months. It tasted wonderful. Following lunch she chose to receive a manicure and pedicure while the cosmetic specialist completed her makeup. Claire yearned to walk around outside, yet she was truly enjoying the pampering. Smiling, she recalled Tony’s enthusiasm about her spa experience.

It was nearing two o’clock when the receptionist brought Claire the telephone. “Ms. Nichols, you have a call.” At first, she just stared. Other than Emily over a week ago, Claire hadn’t spoken on a phone for almost six months. She immediately believed this was a test.

Looking at her nails under the dryer, she said, “Thank you, could you please ask who it is?”

The receptionist inquired and continued, “Mr. Rawlings would like to speak with you.”

Claire carefully took the phone. “Hello, Tony?”

“Very good, Claire.” She smiled. “I am on my way to the airport. I need to make an emergency trip to New York.” Tony’s voice sounded informative but preoccupied.

“All right. Will I be going too?”

“No, Eric will be back in Chicago this evening to accompany you home. Just continue your plans and be back at the apartment by six. Charles will see that you get to the airport for your flight.”

Claire wanted to ask about the shopping. She felt pretty and didn’t want to spend the afternoon in the apartment. He said to continue her plans. She chose to believe that included shopping. If she didn’t ask, she could plead ignorance when questioned.

“Okay, I will.” She didn’t want to say anything inappropriate with people listening. “Do you know when you will be back?”

“Not for sure. I believe Saturday. I need to go, we are at the airport.”

“I will see you then. Have a safe trip.”

“Claire,” he paused. “Do not disappoint me.”

“I won’t, Tony. I will see you Saturday.” The telephone disconnected from his end. Claire handed the telephone back to one of the clinicians and inspected her nails, holding the phone hadn’t caused any damage. Her fingers and toes glistened shiny red, and her makeup had been expertly applied. Claire stepped in front of the mirror. She wished with all her might that Tony could see her now, she felt stunning.

There were a total of six assistants that worked directly with Claire. She went to the front desk, signed the charge slip, and gave the tip money to the receptionist, with an additional fifty for her. Claire smiled and thanked her for bringing her the telephone.

Back at the apartment Claire changed clothes, wanting to get outside and enjoy the shops before she needed to return at six. Looking out of the windows she could tell the day was warm. The waves on the lake also told her that there was a strong breeze
.
But of course, that is why they call it the windy city!

She had a little over three hours to shop and she wanted to make every minute count! All of a sudden, time slipped back six years. She needed to shop fast in order to get back to class. The biggest difference between then and now was her goal—instead of bargains she looked for the buys that would please Tony.

Charles offered Claire a driver, but she wanted to walk. The busy city and warm weather created an exhilarating atmosphere. She longed to be outside and on her own short schedule. Cartier was her first stop. She found another pair of sunglasses. They were like the ones from New York, except black, which would be better for winter. Although that was her thought, she wondered if she would really be with Tony all winter. Compartmentalize. Right now, her plan was to enjoy this afternoon and some shopping, the rest would work itself out
.

Her familiarity with the magnificent mile proved advantageous to her goal. She didn’t have Eric to pick up packages, so she didn’t buy anything too bulky. However, she managed some smaller bags from Saks, Anne Fontaine, Armani, and Louis Vuitton. Claire approached the Trump Tower and her watch said she had thirty minutes to spare. She stopped in the coffee shop for a quick café mocha. In Iowa she mostly drank plain coffee, very high quality and amazingly delicious. This afternoon she was
living
and decided a little chocolate would hit the spot.

Sitting at the table surrounded by her packages, sipping her café mocha, Claire’s mind wandered. Her life seemed to have taken a turn. The last few weeks were much better than months earlier, so much better than she could have predicted. She had talked with Emily, if only for a few minutes. She thought about the rules: the speaker phone, limitations, and the briefness of the call. It took a magnitude of compartmentalization to concentrate on the affirmative aspect of the conversation. Nonetheless, she spoke with her sister and that made her happy. Then there was the barbeque, minus the unfortunate misunderstanding, which was a success. Tony introduced her to his friends and they were nice to her. The date with Tony the night before was romantic: dinner, walking, the play, and the activities until they fell asleep. Now she was sitting in Chicago, a destination she loved.

Smiling, she sipped her café mocha and thought about him. She hated him one day, then allowed her hair to change colors because he requested it. The more she thought about it, maybe
allow
wasn’t the appropriate word. Really, did she have an option? How could he hurt her one day and then make her feel so fulfilled the next? Her internal debate continued.

As she thought of him, feelings of lust pushed away the old feelings of fear. Remembering the sensation of his touch, the sound of his voice, and the taste of his skin, she wanted to believe this was a significant improvement. She wondered how she could be having these feelings, how she could enjoy his presence, and even look forward to being with him. She had read about Stockholm syndrome, maybe that was it. She knew it didn’t make sense, but she couldn’t deny the way she was beginning to feel. Preoccupied in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the woman approaching until she stood directly above her. “Claire, Claire Nichols is that really you?”

Claire looked up in disbelief, realizing that someone actually addressed her. She recognized Meredith Banks, a sorority sister from Valparaiso. It made sense, Valparaiso was nearby.

“Hello, Meredith, how are you?” Her voice reflected her genuine excitement and surprise at seeing someone from her past. They had roamed these streets together in another life.

“Gosh, I am great. How are you? You look amazing. I haven’t heard from you in ages!” Meredith looked at the other chair. “Do you mind if I join you for a few minutes?”

Apprehensively Claire looked at her watch. She needed to be upstairs by six, it was five forty. She considered appearances. It would be rude to not allow her to sit. Claire motioned with her hand. “Yes, please do.”

The two ladies talked about what brought them to Chicago. Meredith noted, looking at the booty surrounding Claire’s chair, she was obviously doing some shopping. She even noted that it was higher-end shopping than they did in college. Claire laughed it off, saying that even these stores had great deals. She couldn’t help think about Bonnie who had gauged the value of her clothing, wondering if Meredith was doing the same. Meredith asked if she saw any shows while in town. Claire told her she saw “Wicked” and enjoyed it very much. Did Claire remember the fun shows they used to watch and the concerts? Meredith mentioned she was in town for work. Where was Claire working? She seemed to know that Claire had been in Atlanta. Claire wondered if they had spoken while she was there, they must have. Meredith lived out west these days, in California. Did Claire ever make it out that way? Where was she living?

Claire did her best to be evasive yet friendly. This was her sorority sister being friendly, not some paparazzi. Finally, Meredith started talking about her husband. She married Jerry from the fraternity and their group. Did Claire know that? No, she didn’t. How long had they been married? And Anne and Shaun were engaged! If Claire would give Meredith her address, she was sure that Anne would want to invite her. Meredith wondered if Claire was married. Was she seeing anyone? Hadn’t she heard rumors?

That word sounded an alarm to Claire.
Rumor.
Wasn’t that the word Tony used to describe her, a rumor? Claire laughed again. “Oh, Meredith, didn’t we learn years ago you should never trust rumors.”