Consequences

medicine.” Courtney agreed laughter would help. So they laughed. They walked in shops, read funny cards and plaques, and had fun.
    When Claire returned that night she felt lighter. She tried with all her might to continue the feeling into her home and her suite. The fact that Tony tried to help wasn’t lost on Claire. He immediately showed her an e-mail from Emily, volunteering, “She wants you to call early before John gets home. I think you should call before dinner.”
    They went to Tony’s office and Claire tried again. She’d been trying to reach her for almost two weeks, since the first of November. This time Emily answered on the first ring. “Hello?”
    Talking on the speaker phone, “Hi, Emily, it is Claire. We’ve been worried. Is everything all right?”
    “I don’t think so. I asked you to call early so I could talk without John here.”
    “I was out with Courtney today. I called as soon as I got your e-mail.” That was all true.
    “He isn’t home yet. Is Anthony there?”
    Claire hesitated, should she lie or be truthful? “He is. Do you want to talk to him?”
    “I don’t know, maybe he can help.” Tony looked at Claire and raised his eyebrows in question.
    “I could put you on speaker phone so he can hear too.” Emily said that would be a good idea. Tony pushed a button to create an audible change, and said hello. Emily said hello. They could hear her voice crack. Claire asked her sister, “Emily, what’s wrong?”
    “You know the deadline for partnership decisions was the first?” Claire said she did, Tony acknowledged her audibly too. “Well, it has been extended.”
    Claire broke in, always the optimist, “So that isn’t necessarily bad, they’re still undecided.”
    “But now the auditor, the person verifying all the accounting information, is questioning John, a lot. John has been asked to verify everything. He is rummaging through old records and spending hour after hour documenting and authenticating his previous work.” Claire and Tony were engaged in concerned eye contact.
    Tony responded first. “Emily, I am sure it is some kind of formality. John works for a very prestigious firm, they just want every T crossed and every I dotted.”
    “Anthony, I hope you’re right.” They could hear her sniffles. “He pretends to be unconcerned, but I can tell that isn’t the case.”
    “He is probably sick of the controlling procedure and stress.” Claire could relate, trying to rationalize and validate every move you make can become tiresome.
    “I believe he is offended. Claire, you know John. He would never do anything that wasn’t completely honest and honorable.” She debated about adding to John’s fan club.
    Tony responded first. “We did our research prior to offering him a job. I know he is one of the most honest and honorable attorneys anywhere.” Claire scanned her husband’s expression. She only saw sincerity.
    “I second that, Em. It will be okay. Let them scrutinize John’s records, there’s nothing dishonest or deceitful to discover.”
    “Thank you, really, both of you. John didn’t want me telling you. That’s why I haven’t answered your calls, but I really wanted you to know.”
    Claire felt her internal time clock ticking. “Emily, please keep us posted—”
    Tony interrupted. “If I can be of any assistance? Perhaps we can get together for Thanksgiving again this year.” Claire watched her husband with astonishment as he spoke. “We could meet in NYC or maybe closer to Troy if it would be easier for you.”
    Emily thanked them both. She would think about Thanksgiving. She appreciated Anthony’s offer of help, it was nice to just talk with them. “I promise to keep you updated. I better go in case John gets home soon. Thank you.” They hung up.
    Claire had been upset with Tony for almost two months. She despised him for his reaction in Chicago. His behavior that night repulsed her. She detested the way he treated her in California. On some level she even loathed the fact that Simon idolized him. Yet he had tried on numerous occasions to make amends. Only superficially had she accepted his pleas. Those shallow recognitions were mainly a form of self-preservation, a ploy to pacify him. But at that moment, as he disconnected the line, she overwhelmingly appreciated and cherished her husband. The realization almost immobilized her. Every ounce of her being had been opposed to him, similar to like ends of magnets. Her self-therapy