to scrape his own windows. She knew she was trying to divert her thoughts from the reprimand she was about to receive.
Her husband remained pleasant and attentive during the party but his expression as he opened her door let her know that this subject wasn’t closed. Claire pondered that thought. Wasn’t it really the same subject? So shouldn’t it be closed?
Each time she exhaled she noticed the faint white crystals that formed in the air. She straightened her posture and squared her shoulders, she was ready. The windows were clear and she could hear Tony and Brent’s voices, his door would open at any moment. With each passing minute her demeanor moved from anxious to indignant. All she had wanted to do was see their wedding pictures. Why was that such a big deal? After all, it was her wedding. The fact the pictures were available online shouldn’t matter.
Once on the road, the only sounds were those of the tires on the snow and the hum of the heater. Claire waited. After a significant silence Tony spoke. “Do you remember that I told you I received e-mails from Emily and she would like you to call?”
“Yes, and you said I could call her tomorrow.” Claire felt a sudden panic.
“I was just wondering. Your memory seems to be failing you.”
“May I still call my sister?”
“Yes, I keep my word.”
Claire exhaled. This was a more indirect Tony than she was accustomed to. Maybe that was the advantage of being his wife. She had been looking for that perk. “Thank you.” She glanced toward her husband, his jaw muscles defined as he clenched. He was waiting for her to approach the subject. Reluctantly she did. “What did you think of our wedding pictures?”
“I think you were absolutely stunning and I am a lucky man.” That wasn’t the response she anticipated. Yes, she was annoyed that this was a big deal. However, her intuition told her to back off.
“I’m sorry about encouraging Beverly. My curiosity got the better of me.” Apologizing seemed like the best option, even if it only sounded sincere.
“It isn’t just what you did. It is what you said.” Claire couldn’t remember what she said, so she asked. “You said you forget who I am.”
“I forget that marrying you is newsworthy, I love you for you. I forget that you are Anthony Rawlings. To me, you are Tony.”
His grip intensified on the steering wheel and she could feel his tension. “I have told you over and over you must remember who I am. If you forget who I am, you will forget who you are and the significance of your behavior.” It was a different version of the appearance speech. He was right. He had said it over and over. She listened and replied at all appropriate times. At least this was the abridged version.
Tony returned to work on the first. He did so from his home office. He had a lot of things to do. Apparently, he had tried to keep up-to-date while in Fiji, but someone kept him distracted. With him working in his office and her free to do as she pleased within the house, Claire soon realized how event filled the last month had been. She was suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of solitude.
Claire arrived at Tony’s office before lunch to make her call. She expected the limitations lecture. Surprisingly, he didn’t give it. He dialed the telephone, turned his back and worked on his computers while Claire waited to speak. John answered. She prayed that John wouldn’t say anything to upset Tony. “Hi, John, it’s Claire, is Emily there?”
“Hi, Claire. Welcome back to the United States. You are back, aren’t you?”
“We are, we returned on the thirtieth.” She was sending out mental signals, put Emily on the phone!
“So was it as beautiful as the article described?” Tony turned to Claire, she needed to conclude with John and move on to Emily. She looked at him pleadingly, she knew.
“I didn’t read the article. But it was amazing. Tony definitely took me to paradise for our honeymoon. Hey, is Emily there?”
“Oh yes. She’s right here. Good to talk with you. Please tell Anthony I said hello.” She made eye contact with him, hi.
“I will, thanks, John.” She heard Emily take the receiver. Apparently, they weren’t using a speaker phone.
“Hi, Claire, how is my jet-set sister?” Claire smiled. Emily was trying her best to accept Claire’s life.
“I’m wonderful, glad to be home. How are you?” Tony turned back to