Consequences

tenderly explored under her blanket, gently caressing her soft skin. Had she ever been there? She said no, she’d been to northern California, San Francisco when she was young on a family vacation. She remembered going to Alcatraz. Her dad, being a policeman, thought it was neat. But she didn’t. She recalled during the tour actually going into cells. There were audiotaped voices and sounds of cell doors closing, she didn’t like it at all. He hugged her. “I promise not to plan a visit to Alcatraz in our future. How old were you when you went there?”
    “I think I was twelve.” Claire looked up at his face. “Why do you ask?”
    “Oh, I was just wondering.” Tony went on to tell her about Eli and MaryAnn’s home in LA, actually in Malibu. He said he’ll need to bring her to one of their parties. He wasn’t much into the whole Hollywood scene, but even he had to admit Eli and MaryAnn could throw an awesome party. Eli’s guests usually included people Claire had seen in movies or on TV. Eli could be an ass, but he’s great at what he did, and there were multitudes of people that would kill to attend his parties. He described MaryAnn and Eli’s house as an architectural marvel situated on Malibu beach, hanging off a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
    “I would love to see it sometime. Do you stay with them when you travel to LA?”
    “No, I—I mean, we ,” he smiled. “We have an apartment in Hollywood, not far from Malibu.”
    Claire smirked. “Maybe sometime you could tell me how many apartments we have?”
    “ We have many residences. It’ll take time to familiarize you with all of them.” She couldn’t wrap her mind around the idea. She had places in Iowa, New York City, Chicago, Hollywood, and other locations. “They are not all as grand as New York and Chicago. I spend more time there.”
    “Yeah, well you never saw my apartment in Atlanta. I’m pretty sure that compared to it they’re all palatial.”
    Claire and Tony were talking and laughing when the door reopened. She quickly closed the blanket as the pilot announced they were ready to leave . She began to stand when Tony pulled her toward him. “Umm, don’t you think I should be in a seat belt when the plane takes off?” Reluctantly he released his hold but not before opening her blanket and grinning. Claire kissed him, moved to the other chair, situated herself, her blanket, and buckled the seat belt. Within minutes they were airborne, and she drifted to a fitful sleep.
    Still at cruising altitude Claire awoke with Tony sleeping soundly in the neighboring recliner. Finding her air legs, she eased her way to the back of the cabin, which held a small shower and dressing room. From twenty thousand feet the view out the window held only blackness separated by a scattering of stars differentiating sky from sea. She found an overnight bag, undoubtedly packed by Catherine. It contained shower, hair, and cosmetic supplies, as well as a black negligee and a summer blouse with capris. She smiled. The negligee would have been nice, but Tony didn’t seem to mind the blanket.
    After a quick shower and fresh clothes she felt more alert. Her watch read eight twenty, but a glance out the window told her it was still dark wherever they were. They’d been traveling over eight hours. They should be in Hawaii soon. Finishing her makeup she smiled, thinking of sunshine and beaches. She didn’t know how long they would be in Hawaii or on which island. The idea sounded wonderful and Tony enjoyed surprising her, but she wistfully thought about being involved in the planning.
    Walking unsteadily back into the cabin Claire found Tony sitting at the table with his laptop and coffee. He turned to watch her enter. “Good morning, Mrs. Rawlings, you look beautiful. I wish you would have awakened me, I could have joined you in the shower.” He grinned over his cup.
    “I don’t think we both would fit. Besides, you looked too peaceful.” She sipped the warm auburn liquid and allowed its robust aroma to revive her senses. Tony said they would be landing on Oahu in Honolulu in an hour. It would only be about three in the morning, but they would deplane, find some breakfast and walk around before continuing their flight. “Continuing, we aren’t staying in Hawaii?” She sounded disappointed.
    “No, Hawaii is just a fuel stop, but we will need to revisit sometime for you to sightsee. It is a lovely place.” His eyes taunted. “But not as