Consequences

honeymoon? Honestly, Tony, she’s my sister. Maybe she’s just interested in learning about me from me, not a magazine.”
    He looked impatient. “Are you done?”
    “Yes.” He indicated for her to sit down. She did.
    “She was fishing to find out if you knew about John’s job offer.”
    “That doesn’t make sense, how would I know . . .” She looked at Tony and her heartbeat increased. “Why? Why would you offer John a job? I know you well enough to know you don’t like him.”
    “I don’t like his strength and determination. He pursued the prenuptial agreement in my limousine even though he knew I didn’t want him to. He even had the balls to offer me advice. Then during the rehearsal he stood in front of me and our friends and had the audacity to not give you away. ”
    “I knew that upset you. We have just never discussed it before now.” Tony nodded. “Then please explain why you would offer him a job?”
    Tony smiled a devious grin. “I didn’t. Tom did. He contacted John while we were on our honeymoon. They have had two meetings in New York. John does have an amazing résumé for someone who went to law school in Indiana.”
    “It is one of the top twenty-five law schools in the country.” Claire immediately regretted defending John.
    “Yes, thank you, Mrs. Rawlings. I will let Tom know that he may contact you if a cheering section is needed for Mr. Vandersol.” Claire apologized and asked Tony to continue. “He graduated magna cum laude from Indiana University School of Law and was hired by an East Coast firm that predominately hires from within the Ivy League. He has worked very hard, and after only four years is an associate on the fast track for partnership consideration.”
    Claire wasn’t sure if it was Tony or Tom, but someone had done their homework. “All right, he has a good résumé, but you just said you don’t like him.”
    “Actually, Mrs. Rawlings, I said I don’t like his strength and determination, or more accurately, they infuriated me.” He smiled again. This one wasn’t devious, more mischievous. Claire suddenly experienced déjà vu and smiled back.
    “Tony, John isn’t me. He doesn’t know you as well as I do.”
    “That is good. I would prefer to keep it that way.”
    “I mean, I don’t want you to be upset if he refuses your offer.” Tony lifted his eyebrows, indicating for her to continue. “John has worked very hard to achieve what he has in life. He may not accept your offer as being based on his résumé but as being based on a familiar relationship.”
    “You know him better. But Tom made him a very impressive offer. Those student loans, mortgage, and other debts you mentioned would no longer be an issue. Emily would not need to work, and they could live anywhere they wanted.”
    “Emily likes her job. She loves teaching. Our mother was a teacher up until the day she died. Emily enjoys doing what she does.” Claire realized she wasn’t facilitating the conversation. “But I am sure the loss of debt would be appealing. Emily could always find another teaching job. She does have over six years of experience. I just don’t want you to be disappointed if he refuses.”
    “It is interesting the lengths some people will go to reduce their debt.”
    Claire chose to ignore that comment. “Has Tom given him a deadline? And what was the point of me talking with Emily but not knowing about John?”
    “Tom has asked for an answer by the end of January and I was curious.” This time Claire raised her eyebrows. “I wondered if Emily would come right out and ask you about the job, and I figured that if you knew about it, she would think you persuaded me to offer it to him. Or more accurately, persuaded me to persuade Tom.”
    Claire thought for a minute. “Well, I can honestly say it never occurred to me to ask for such a thing. And obviously Emily doesn’t realize that I don’t have that kind of influence over you.”
    His smile flashed, but more unscrupulous this time. “Why, Mrs. Rawlings, I believe you have been known to be quite persuasive.” The enlightening conversation was done. Claire had a lot to consider. She didn’t feel good about the probability of John being employed by Rawlings Industries. However, she was honest both to Emily and Tony. That’s all she could do. Honesty was always the best policy, right?

 
Part of the happiness of life consists not in fighting battles,
but in avoiding them. A masterly retreat is in