“I don’t know, but I know it’s a bunch of crap. So what happened in Key West to freak her out and stay home?”
“Hey, I didn’t do anything! It’s that husband of hers who she’s always fighting with. I showed her a good time.”
Gina raises her eyebrows higher.
“A professional, platonic good time. We sang karaoke, we went snorkeling—”
“Claire sang and went in the ocean?”
“Well, yes she did sing, but she didn’t snorkel. I just got her to go in the water wearing a life vest.”
Gina folds her arms across her chest and shakes her head. “Wow, that’s huge for her. You sure must have charmed her. Claire is pretty steadfast in her fears.”
“So, do you think she’s okay?”
“I’m sure she’ll be in tomorrow and you can…hold on, let me see who’s calling me on the damn office phone now.”
She puts up one finger to indicate that I should wait a minute. I begin to stand up and she motions me back into my seat with her hand, rolling her eyes. She’s such a sweetie.
“Brandon, where the hell is my manuscript? I’ve been very patient, but this is ridiculous. You can’t waste your time trying to be a rock star, and doing God knows whatever else you do all day, and expect to us to honor your contract.”
I try to appear casual, but of course I’m dying to know if Claire is at home. I could just text her, but I don’t want to make her day worse if she and Brandon are having a big blowout fight.
“She what? What do you mean she left? As in, moved out?” She pauses while Brandon speaks and then says, “So she just ran off with the baby. Since Saturday? Wow, it didn’t take long for that to happen. You must have had a great reunion on Friday.” More pausing and nodding. Now her eyeballs widen. “What the hell? And what’s your explanation for that? You have big problems. Yes, I agree. But I still need that manuscript. I don’t care whose panties were in your bed.”
My breath catches. Is Brandon really cheating on her? I guess it was naïve to think that wasn’t possible, but I was optimistic for her. For them. Or if I am being honest, was this really what I was hoping for all along?
Gina hangs up after a flurry of threats, veiled as tough love suggestions.
“Well, I guess you heard that. I will murder you and all of your descendants if you breathe a word outside this office, but Claire found a pair of another woman’s panties in their bed. And a pregnancy test in their trash.”
“How could Brandon be that stupid?” I wince and add, “Was the pregnancy test…?”
“No, it was negative. Thank God, right? Cheating is bad enough, but if he ever got someone pregnant, I think Claire would die.”
She would. Her inability to have a baby haunts her even though she’s now a mother. Even though he appears to be guilty, this seems fishy. Maybe if I talk to her, I can help her figure it out.
“So, she ran off with Aidan on Saturday after they had a huge argument.”
“Does he know where she is?”
“He thinks she’s at her parents’ house.”
I jump up and say, “I have a meeting. That’s really awful about Claire. And don’t worry, my lips are sealed.”
“Are you going to try to track her down? Because if you are, that’s not the best idea. You were also named in this marital explosion. Brandon doesn’t trust his wife, either. At least not with you.”
“Well, then he’s a fool.”
I walk down the hallway while Gina continues to yell my name. Oh, and now there’s the ear piercing, New Jersey whistle we’re all so fond of. Everyone in accounting probably shit their pants.
Claire
“Mom, I have to let him come here. He’s Aidan’s father. And I can’t hide out forever.”
Brandon and I talked briefly last night, and he convinced me to allow him to come here today, after Rob gets off work and he can use his truck. Apparently, in true Richmond fashion, the roads in our area are treacherous. They are no better here. It doesn’t snow often enough in Virginia for a big snow removal budget, so when we do get hit with a big one, it shuts things down for a while. I’m sure others at Bella Donna stayed home from work today.
“I know, Claire, but just be careful. Don’t let him sweet talk you into anything. You need real, concrete answers.”
I butter a piece of toast and help Aidan eat his banana. A lot of it is ending up on the high chair tray and the floor. Thank goodness my mother keeps a full baby set-up at her house, so I have all of my son’s necessities on hand. I could theoretically stay here for a long time.
“He said he was making a list of things we need to talk about.”
“A list? Men don’t make lists. Do you think one of his many women friends helped him with it?”
“Hopefully if that’s the case, it wasn’t the one he’s…oh, Aidan don’t mash it in your ear.”
He giggles as though everything is just fine, and life is all about sticking fruit in your orifices, if you feel like it.
Even though he seems prepared to work things out, if Brandon doesn’t have a good explanation, I can think of something I’d like to stick in one of his orifices. And I don’t mean that in any good way.
Justin
“I am an ethical hacker.” I am repeating this mantra to myself as I grip the steering wheel of my truck, and try to avoid getting hit by any one of the area’s fine bad weather drivers.
Actually I didn’t have to do any actual ‘hacking.’ I just went into the employee database and found Claire’s parents’ address in the emergency contacts. I know I should have called and announced myself, but she’ll be receptive to my visit.
Hmm, I just remembered. They live in a gated community. So I will have to announce myself before I can get into the neighborhood. If she won’t let me in, I’ll just go home and call Marissa. I’ll do that later anyway, because clearly I am not planning on attempting to woo Claire away from her husband.
Marissa and I did have our first date last night, and I really liked her. I’m not one of those guys who waits three days, because of some stupid rule, to call a woman after a date.
I catch my eye in the rearview mirror and it seems to be saying, ‘No, you’re the kind of guy who follows a married woman around.’
I give my reflection a dirty look and concentrate on driving. I need some music. I select the Breaking Benjamin station on Pandora and feel dejected. I’ll probably never get to sing with Claire again.
The rest of the ride is rather uneventful, and I pull up to the gate in the posh community. Well, posh for this town. If Claire or her parents saw where my family lives, their faces would hit the ground.
“Well hello there, handsome. Who are you here to see?”
The grey haired lady in a security uniform smiles and approaches my truck.
I contemplate busting through the gate, but this isn’t a movie and this lady will call the police. Probably not a good way to meet Claire’s parents. Not that I care about meeting her parents. Why would I?
“I’m here to see Claire Harmon. She’s staying with her parents, the McDonalds?”
“Oh, are you that handsome husband of hers?” She squints and says, “Your hair looks a little lighter, but maybe it’s just the sun reflecting off all of this beautiful white stuff. It’s pretty, but it’s nice to have some sun to warm my old bones a little. I do recall Miss Claire coming by. It was a couple of days ago. Have you been out of town?”
“No, I just had some things to do at home. I was working on some new songs for my band.” I eye her uniform and see a big cross hanging from her neck, next to her nametag. “I’m the lead singer of a contemporary Christian band. Do you like that type of music, Ella?”
“Why yes, I do. Isn’t that something?” She continues to grin at me and then remembers she has a job to do and says, “Let me just check the book…wait, never mind. I know you’re on the permanent list. You go surprise your little bride. And give that darlin’ baby a kiss for me.”
We exchange mo
re pleasantries and she opens the gate. I’m in. My new refrain is ‘I’m going to hell…’
As I drive through the winding streets, mindful of the twenty-five mile per hour speed limit, I dismiss my guilt. Sure, I accessed private employee information and I charmed an old lady security guard, but my intentions are admirable.
Although, I can’t say I was just in the neighborhood and decided to stop by. This idea seemed more solid at the office, and now the holes are becoming apparent. What if Claire gets pissed at me for interfering? What if Brandon is here now?
I approach the house, a big brick structure on a corner lot, and turn off the engine. I don’t see any cars other than Claire’s and a Mercedes. No truck, and even if Brandon took his own vehicle…I don’t know what he drives, but it sure as hell isn’t a car that costs seventy grand.
I park on the street near the mailbox and walk up the driveway, ready to ring the bell and charm my way past another layer of guard dog.
Claire, Senior
“Now who the hell is that at the door in this weather?”
I can’t believe anyone would be ringing our doorbell on a Monday morning after a snowstorm. Now, in my neighborhood in the New York, it would be kids offering to shovel your driveway, but the few spoiled brats who live here don’t need my twenty bucks.
“Claire, are you going to get that?” John calls from his study, which is on the opposite side of the house.
I am, of course, in the kitchen. They all make it out like I love to cook, when secretly I wish we could get a house without a kitchen. Maybe just a little hot plate, like the girls had in college.
I yell back, “It’s probably the Jehovah’s Witnesses.” I absolutely despise when anyone comes to my door trying to tell me about their church.
John comes waltzing into the hallway, pointing towards the door. “Claire, we have never once had a Jehovah’s Witness come to the door in this neighborhood. They wouldn’t get past the gate.”
“Really? Ella and that sister of hers aren’t the best…what’s the other one’s name?”
I wipe my hands on the dish towel and take off my apron. It’s the cute one that says ‘World’s Best Grandma.’ I got it for my birthday from Aidan and the grandpups.
“I don’t know the gatehouse people’s names.”
He always looks so exasperated whenever I ask him anything. Hopefully this new business is going to take off and he’ll start visiting clients. Then I can drink my tea and watch my All in the Family reruns in peace. Plus I’ve been meaning to start making wreaths out of…
“Oh, I remember now. It’s Stella. Yes, Ella and Stella. I think they’re twins. Don’t you ever wonder about that? How the association hired both—”
“I’m going to answer the door.”
I hope it’s not Brandon. Claire told me that they talked last night and she was going to let him come over, but it’s so early. Claire isn’t a morning person. Well, actually it’s almost eleven but she’s exhausted from all of this…I crane my neck to see who’s at the door. It sounds like a young man.
“Was Claire expecting you, Justin?” John addresses our visitor calmly, but I can tell he has no idea who this is.
“Justin, I’m Claire’s mother, also Claire.” I offer my hand and John looks around as if he can’t figure out how I swooped in that quickly.
Justin is tall and very good-looking. Blond hair, piercing green eyes. Nice build. This isn’t good.
“Yes, Mrs. McDonald. A pleasure to meet both of you.”
“Justin was telling me that he’s here to see Claire.” I’m glad to see my husband looks as if he’s suspicious of this guy’s intentions, too.
“Yes, I am. And no, I didn’t tell her I was coming….” He looks down as if he didn’t think this through all the way.
“Did you bring her something from work?”
John sighs and says, “Yeah, Claire. He brought her math homework because they have a test tomorrow.”
I poke John in the ribs and Justin looks sweaty, despite standing in our doorway in the freezing cold.
“Well, since you drove all this way, I suppose we should let Claire know that you’re here.”
John immediately volunteers to tell her and scampers off. I don’t even know if she’s out of bed yet, and she won’t want to see Mr. Sexy Pants here in no makeup…
“Thanks, Mrs. McDonald. I know you’re probably wondering why I would come all the way out here. And I know Claire’s been having some…problems at home. I can see why you would be protective, but I am truly here as a friend.”
I look him up and down. His coat is long, wool and expensive looking. Fancy watch. I thought young people didn’t wear watches anymore. Hmm, his shoes look pretty snazzy, too.
“I hope so, Justin, because the last thing Claire needs right now is more stress. And if I’m being honest, I’m concerned about what might have happened on that business trip. She’s a married woman, and you’re even younger than the one she married, who was already too young.” There. I told him.
He smiles shyly, and says, “Nothing happened in Key West. And yes, I am the ‘other young guy,’ but that was a long time ago. Claire made her choice. I’m just worried about her. I hope she gives Brandon another—”
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
I guess she’s up and just didn’t want to come down, because she is fully primped for the day. My heart hurts for her when I realize why. Her husband is coming, and even though he has behaved like a worthless S.O.B, she still wants to look pretty for him.
Claire
“I guess you can see I didn’t eat a bad shrimp.” The recognition on his face tells me that the whole office probably knows my pathetic excuse for being out today.
“Yeah, that seemed pretty lame. When I used the food poisoning excuse it seemed more plausible.”
My parents are both standing here in the foyer looking back and forth between Justin standing at the front door, and me on the bottom step of the circular staircase.
“Let me take your coat, Justin.” My father rushes to grab it and runs off with it.
My mother wrings her hands and smiles like a mental patient, finally saying, “Oh, I’ll go check on the baby then.”
With both of them gone, I stare at Justin for a moment, and meet him half way as he ventures further into this crazy house.
The friendly face, with cheeks turned pink from the cold, makes me want to hug him. I restrain myself, both because I may not want to let go, and because my whack-job mother is probably upstairs in the hallway balcony, peeking down like a psy…
“Sorry if this freaks you out. Gina kind of tipped me off inadvertently that you might be here.”
“I’m not even going to ask how anyone knows that. I give up. I guess she may have talked to Brandon. She’s a little perturbed at him for being late with his manuscript. Well, let’s go sit in the living room. Or we could go in the library. It’s more private.”
“The living room is fine. Public is fine.”
He coughs into his hand and follows me to the very public area of the house. It’s funny how he doesn’t want to be alone with me, yet he just drove almost an hour during a work day, on bad roads, to see me.
“Hey, how did you get past the gate?”
“Well, I sort of—”
“Never mind. I don’t want to know that, either. Was it an older lady?”
“Yep.”
He sits down on the large sofa and I sit opposite him in one of the leather side chairs. Close enough to hear each other, but far enough away to create some physical space.
“I’m sure you charmed her. She probably doesn’t even know what happened, and my mother is likely plotting to get her fired as we speak.” I take in his stricken expression and add, “No, I’m kidding. She does like to fire people who misbehave, though. Like my nanny.”
“Your nanny is fired?”
“Claire, Honey, you should ask your guest if he wants a drink.” My mother’s voice echoes from the balcony
, and we both look up to see her looking down.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t eavesdropping. I just forgot my manners earlier.” She lingers a moment and says, “Okay, well, as you were.”
If I’m not mistaken her smile fades and her eyes narrow as she turns from me to Justin. I almost feel like she’s going to break out into a ‘circle of trust’ speech, like in the movie, ‘Meet the Parents.’ Except, Justin is not my husband or my boyfriend. Is he my anything?
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Justin
“That mother of yours is a character. I can see where you get your…”
“Neurotic side?” She smiles and sniffles a little in the cold air. I asked her to take a walk in the snow with me after it became apparent that the house was bugged, and our visit was being monitored and possibly recorded.
“No, you’re not neurotic.”
I smile at her and wish I could squeeze her hand.
I remind myself again that Claire is at most a friend, but actually a work colleague. She’s not even an ex-girlfriend. She’s a…a loss. Yet she’s standing right here, walking with me, and trying to keep up with my longer strides, our boots crunching together in the snow. Casual observers would see us and think how nice it is—a couple enjoying a snow day together. Perhaps later they’ll have some hot cocoa, the guy will start a roaring fire. They’ll enjoy some afternoon…
I notice that Claire is talking. My reverie is severed, and now I forget why I came here. I stuff my fingers in my pockets to avoid touching the married mother who trusts me enough to share her marital problems.
“…so I didn’t believe him and I ran off. Well, first he ran off, which to me was an admission of guilt.” She stops and says, “Why are you looking at me like that? You think he’s guilty and now he’s had time to concoct a good lie to cover his ass?”
I lower my head and sigh. “I don’t know, Claire. He sounds pretty guilty, but there are a lot of variables in that story. What does your gut tell you?”
She resumes walking, this time at a slower pace. We pass another couple out walking a dog, and we wave as if we’re talking about what to have for dinner, or if we paid the electric bill.
The Juggling Act Page 24
