Consequences (55 page)

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.

Claire rose and approached his desk. “I want to call her.” She could see the deliberation on his face. She remembered not being able to read his expression. The ability wasn’t comforting. Claire tried desperately to modulate her voice. “I will do it here on the speaker phone. I don’t care if you listen to every word and tell me what to say, I just want to call her.” He still didn’t speak, but the intensity in his eyes multiplied. “Tony, may I please call her?”

“It is almost three, which would be four in Troy. Would she be home?” It wasn’t an answer but it wasn’t a denial.

Claire thought about it. School finished at three fifteen, at least it used to. “She might.” As if thinking out loud, she added, “And as a plus John won’t be.”

He didn’t respond to her last statement, instead he began to talk about her e-mails. She sat. He explained that the folder included multiple e-mails from people she didn’t know. Since their marriage many people have attempted to contact her for various reasons. Patricia had replied to everyone, “Mrs. Rawlings is unable to respond to your request at this time.”

“Your preparation for the
Vanity
Fair
interview and execution today impressed me. I also appreciate that you made requests a month ago and have been patient. I believe you deserve to be rewarded. Therefore, regarding your e-mails, from now on before Patricia replies you will have the opportunity to review them. We will discuss them. Together we will decide responses. Of course, I will have the final say. However, I believe you have earned a voice.”