Consequences

and e-mailed. John has called, he respectfully declined Tom’s offer. I believe Emily can wait.” Claire’s heart sank.
    This new information no doubt influenced Tony’s temperament. She wanted to believe Tony’s offer was made in good faith based on John’s credentials. His refusal didn’t surprise Claire, even though she was sure it did Tony. He doesn’t often experience rejection. This wasn’t the first time she received the consequences of John’s actions. What concerned Claire the most was her relationship with her sister, would she be allowed to speak to or see Emily?
    She kissed Tony and sounded as compliant as she could muster. “Thank you, I would really like to see Courtney and Sue.” Claire wanted to move away from him, to the far side of the king-sized bed, or better yet upstairs, but instead she rested her head on his chest. “And I promise my memory is better.”
    “I am glad to hear that.” He slowly embraced her shoulder as his voice softened. “I need to be in Phoenix next week. It has been in the seventies there. Perhaps you can join me.”
    She nodded her head. “Thank you, that would be nice.” They fell asleep.
    The next day, using Tony’s iPhone, Claire was allowed to call both Courtney and Sue. She didn’t utilize the speaker phone, and although present Tony didn’t question the content. Both of the ladies wanted to catch up and hear all about married life . Claire said she would love to, would check her calendar, and get back to them. She also apologized for not returning their calls sooner, things were just so busy.
     
    Much earlier than normal, the sound of Tony’s alarm woke them on February 1. Their flight to Phoenix was leaving at seven. The trip was only planned for one night, but Claire didn’t care. They were leaving the estate and that was enough to propel her from bed to the shower. She would stay at their apartment while Tony met with associates; if all went well they would dine out tonight. He described this apartment as one of their smaller ones, as she showered she wondered what small really meant.
    Steam filled the bathroom with a muggy fog. She secured the luxurious lavender towel around her body as Tony entered. “We aren’t going to Phoenix.” Her shoulders slumped.
    “Why? Did I do something?”
    Tony hugged her warm body, her hair dripped onto her shoulders and the floor. “No. We can’t go anywhere. Eric just called. We should have looked out the window.” He took her to the tall French doors that led to her balcony. When he moved the drapes she could only see white. At least twelve inches of new snow had fallen on the ground, trees, balcony rail, everywhere. With the addition of the eight to ten inches of old snow, there was now almost two feet! And it was continuing to fall, accompanied by wind. Barely seeing beyond the balcony, she could make out drifts that transformed the backyard into an ocean of white waves. Heaven knows how deep the snow would be in the bigger drifts. Claire sat on the bed with large droplets gliding down her back, discouraged. She sighed.
    Sitting next to her, Tony rubbed her leg. “Think of it as a snow day. Didn’t you like those when you were a kid?”
    “Yeah, because I didn’t want to go to school, but now I want to go.”
    He hugged her shoulder. “You want to go to school?”
    Exhaling loudly, she said, “I want to go anywhere .”
    Tony lifted some of her hair. “Well, I’m afraid you will catch pneumonia if you try to go somewhere.” She laid her head back on the bed, pressed her lips into a tight line, and looked up at the ceiling. If she opened her mouth she would scream. She was trapped!
    Leaning over her, he said, “How about we celebrate our newfound free day ?” She knew what he was thinking and didn’t want to celebrate. Telling him no was supposed to be her option. However, it hadn’t been tested and Claire didn’t think she was emotionally strong enough for the trial.
    Despondently, she asked, “How do you want to celebrate?”
    Still leaning over her, he said, “How about you take me to your lake?”
    “What?” Claire’s thoughts spun. The lake would be frozen and was about five miles away. Would they freeze? It was out, out of the house! “Are you serious?” Her eyes sparkled as she tried to read her husband’s expression.
    “If it makes that spark come back to your emerald eyes, I’m serious.” He kissed her forehead. “We have boots, coats, and gloves, everything needed