The Consequences Series Box Set

by Aleatha Romig

  Once everyone was gone, Claire relished the quiet house again, while her head pounded behind her eyes. The headaches weren’t as frequent as they were right after her accident; however, when they struck they could be debilitating. Sleeping in a very dark room was the best remedy.

  Following the interview Claire accompanied her husband to his office. He hoped to accomplish as much work as possible from home. Driving into Iowa City would be counterproductive this late in the day. Claire closed her eyes and enjoyed the peacefulness as Cindy placed their food on the long shiny table. After pouring their coffee, she asked if they needed anything else.

  “No, you may go.” Tony replied, before he turned to Claire and asked, “How do you think it went?”

  She opened her eyes to focus. “I really think it went well. It was more draining than I expected. I can’t wait to see the final article.”

  “Shelly said we should have a draft by next week. It’s supposed to be the cover story for the April publication. So it won’t hit the newsstands for a while.” Claire shook her head. She couldn’t believe her marriage would warrant a cover story for anything, much less Vanity Fair. The food and coffee helped her head, but she suspected it’d gone too far. A nap was the real remedy. Once they finished eating, Tony walked over toward his desk.

  “Do you need me? I’d like to go upstairs. The morning wore me out,” Claire asked, as she stood to leave.

  He picked up a manila folder and handed it to her. “I’d like you to stay here while you look at these.” She took the folder to the sofa and sat down. The content of the folder was a mystery. She suddenly had visions of Tony with the Meredith Banks interview. Sometimes compartmentalized memories would sneak out.

  She opened the folder to find over an inch thick stack of papers. They were printed e-mails. Her mind moved slowly, exhausted from the interview process and dulled from her headache. Confused, she asked, “What are these?”

  “Your invitations.” Granting her another freedom, he watched as she read. She looked at the top e-mail:

  To: Anthony Rawlings, anthrawl265@rawlingsind.com

  From: Courtney Simmons, courtsim768@rawlingsind.com

  Date: February 25, 2011

  Subject: For Claire, attachment

  Please let Claire know that our meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday at noon, but I would like to get together before that so we can brainstorm. We need to get the fund-raising calendar set by the next meeting. Attached is a file she needs to review. If one of you could let me know when a good time to get together is I would appreciate it. —Courtney

  (Paper clipped to the e-mail was a five-page report)

  Claire didn’t know what to say, finally she weakly managed, “Thank you.” He didn’t reply, but 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 feel 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 didn’t know 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 was hard.

  Claire rose and approached his desk. “I want to call her.” She saw the deliberation on his face. She remembered a time when she was unable to read his expression. Her ability wasn’t comforting. Claire tried desperately to modulate her voice. “I’ll 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; nevertheless, the intensity in his eyes multiplied. “Tony, may I please call her?”

  “It’s almost 3:00 PM, which would be 4:00 PM in Troy. Would she be home?”

  It wasn’t an answer, but it wasn’t a denial.

  Claire thought about it. School finished at 3:15 PM, 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 as 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 replied to everyone: Mrs. Rawlings is unable to respond to your request at this time.

  Tony continued, “Your preparation for the Vanity Fair interview and execution today impressed me. I also appreciate 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’ll decide responses. Of cours
e, I’ll have the final say; however, I believe you’ve earned a voice.”

  Claire realized Tony believed he’d presented her with a freedom. She couldn’t help think it was, instead, only a glimpse of what she was missing. The forbidden opportunities would now be staring her in the face. “Thank you, understand.”

  He turned to his computer screens, and she watched the back of his head for what seemed like hours. He knew what she wanted. She’d made her request. Now he was making her wait. How would she respond? He’d provided a token of his approval. Would she submissively accept or would she pursue the idea of calling her sister?

  Claire closed her eyes and tried to stop the pounding in her temples. Perched on the chair’s edge near his desk, she refused to budge. The folder, the gift he’d given her, sat closed on her lap. She didn’t care about people she didn’t know, and her head hurt too much to read anymore. She waited as his fingers flew between the keyboard and mouse. Sitting silently and expressionlessly she remembered Courtney’s kind words: Life isn’t a test you must continually pass. Claire absentmindedly rolled her shoulders and straightened her neck. If her only possibility of calling Emily was passing this test, then by God, she wasn’t moving from this seat.

  Finally, he turned to face her. “Why have you not called until now?” He presented his question with harsh overtones.

  Thinking out loud, she said, “I’ve been busy. I can tell her about the Red Cross and preparing for our interview.”

  What followed were not suggestions, but orders. “You will be apologetic and explain that you have been meaning to call. Seeing her recent e-mail reminded you, you haven’t. Your reasons sound valid. I’d prefer you didn’t discuss the job situation. It’s done, and of course, there are no hard feelings.”

  The directives should have been upsetting, but she’d played this game before. They were the means to her goal. “Yes, I promise.”

  He dialed the phone, put it on speaker, and didn’t bother to turn away. The phone rang three times. Claire’s hopes began to sink until finally Emily answered.

  “Hi, Emily, it’s Claire.” Emily’s voice brimmed with excitement. Claire’s sounded happy and apologetic. They spoke for about ten minutes. On a few occasions, Tony indicated that the subject needed to be changed. Claire attempted to keep the discussion away from the job, but Emily was determined to discuss it, explaining how John was currently very close to being named partner. He didn’t feel right abandoning the firm that had taken a chance on him when he first graduated. He’d worked hard to get to his position and didn’t feel right working for family; however, he was very honored Anthony would consider hiring him. They also discussed Emily’s class, and she asked about the interview Claire mentioned. Before they hung up Claire promised to do a better job responding to Emily’s e-mails.

  It amazed Claire how one phone call could make her both happy and sad. Maintaining her happy voice during the call almost reduced her to tears on its completion. Her energy was totally depleted. “If it’s all right with you, I’ll take the folder upstairs and look through it. We can discuss the e-mails after dinner.”

  “That’s fine, you may go.”

  Once upstairs, Claire decided to nap instead of looking through the folder. It’d been a long day. The contrast between the interview and her reality intensified the pounding behind her eyes and more recent nausea. She took some acetaminophen, crawled between the soft cool sheets, and allowed the tears from the phone call to flow. Sleep was a welcome escape.

  It wasn’t long after she fell asleep when Tony woke her. He wanted to thank her again for her performance during the interview. He also believed she wanted to thank him.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  This only is denied even to God, the power to undo the past.

  —Agathon

  On March 15, Tony brought home the final copy of the article approved by Shelly. It was scheduled to be published the end of March, officially the April 2011 issue of Vanity Fair:

  Anthony Rawlings Introduces the World to the Love of his Life, His Wife Claire Rawlings—Let the Rumors Cease and Learn how She has Changed His Life

  By: Anne Robinson Photos by: Shaun Stivert

  You don’t marry someone you can live with, you marry the person who you cannot live without.

  —Unknown author

  On a beautiful snowy day, in the Midwest, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Rawlings sat down with Vanity Fair and addressed the questions, rumors, and realities of their acquaintance, courtship, engagement, and marriage. The exceedingly private man and his beautiful new bride graciously opened their home to our photographers and interviewer. (Photo of Tony and Claire dressed in casual elegant slacks and sweaters, sitting on a sofa in their gorgeous sitting room.)

  The home of Anthony and Claire Rawlings is a stately 6,000 plus acre estate near Iowa City, Iowa. Their residence is a spacious elegant home secluded within the private gates of this countryside.

  Built by Mr. Rawlings approximately sixteen years ago, it resembles a 1940’s Romanesque-style mansion. The main house is centered upon a round brick drive. Projecting from the main structure are wings of additional corridors and rooms. Upon entry you may feel you have entered a museum; however, the warmth and love radiated by the newlyweds soon help you to realize you have entered a family home; a quality Mr. Rawlings states was missing until recently.

  It was late May of 2010 when Anthony Rawlings first introduced the city of Davenport to the then Claire Nichols. They attended the Quad City Symphony. Mr. Rawlings was asked to attend the event because of a generous donation made to both the Quad City Symphony and the Support the Arts Foundation. Mr. Rawlings has long been known for his generosity and pursuit of philanthropic endeavors. He is a firm believer in the arts and continues to support endeavors that promote artistic pursuits. As a local celebrity, Mr. Rawlings is often seen attending functions in and around the Quad Cities (as well as in cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles).

  It was his companion on that evening that was unfamiliar. He has been seen on various occasions with different women, some with names we recognize, such as Cynthia Simmons and Julia Owens. Truthfully, throughout his forty-six years he has been seen with many beautiful women; however, it was apparent to those present on that evening in May, that this was different. Many on-lookers reported “glances” and “hand holding” that were not witnessed before.

  When discussing their first public “date,” Vanity Fair noted that the new Mrs. Rawlings couldn’t help look at her husband with blushed cheeks and a bashful smile. She stated that she recalled the standing ovation he received and how handsome she thought he looked. But she hastily added that at that time, neither of them was looking for a long-term relationship.

  Anthony said that he recalls seeing Claire when he picked her up for the symphony. He even recalled her outfit, a black dress with a beaded bodice, and that her hair was up with curls. (Anthony gently played with his wife’s hair as he described the style.) He remembered that she was stunning and he was proud to accompany her to the event.

  VF: Now, ladies, ask your husband if he remembers what you were wearing on that first date! I had to think that Mr. Rawlings should have realized at that moment his heart was lost. I wanted to know how the two of them got to that first date. How did they meet?

  Anthony told the story of meeting Claire in Atlanta, Georgia—

  VF: Was it “love” at first sight?

  They smiled at one another. Claire shook her head. “Probably not,” and she added, “Anthony is a complicated, private man. You can love the wrapping paper, but with him it takes some time to find out what is inside. I wouldn’t give my life to someone without knowing what is inside the package.”

  “What is love? Love is when one person knows all of your secrets, your deepest, darkest, most dreadful secrets of which no one else in the world knows. And yet in the end, that one person does not think any less of you.”

  Mrs. Rawlings added she has seen the inside of the package and loves i
t more than the wrapping paper.

  VF: Mrs. Rawlings, can you share some of your findings with our readers? What have you found under that amazing wrapping paper?

  Blushing slightly at the inference, she quickly recovered. “Well, he isn’t exactly how he appears.” Anthony seemed to be interested in what she was about to reveal. Claire continued, “For example, he has been known to hold webinars and web conferences from home in a shirt, tie, suit jacket, gym shorts, and sneakers.” She smiled at her husband, who playfully shook his head.

  He responded, “Great. Now I’m going to have to stand before each webinar to alleviate the participants’ curiosity.” He smiled broadly.

  When asked if anything else surprised her about Anthony, after some reflection she answered yes. He is a Vikings fan. They both grinned. Being originally from Indiana, Mrs. Rawlings said she couldn’t imagine she would marry anyone who isn’t a Colts fan. Anthony made a comment about real football teams that play outdoors, and Claire was quick to mention two recent trips to the Super Bowl. Their playful banter was enjoyable to observe.

  VF: Have you two had any arguments, disagreements, or fights?

  “No!” They answered simultaneously and laughed. Anthony took the lead on this question. “Of course. I can’t imagine spending quality time with someone and always agreeing. That is not what I want in my life. There are multitudes of people in my life that will agree with my every thought. Claire has stood up to me in ways that captains of business have not. Her strength and determination are what I fell in love with.” Tenderly wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he added, “As well as her beauty and intelligence.”