Consequences

the clerk to call him, her driver. He would pick up everything she bought. He dropped her off near East Fifty-first and Madison and promised to pick her up near the Plaza Hotel at East Fifty-eighth Street at two. At that time, he would be happy to take her to her next destination.
    As Claire stepped from the car with her high-heeled sandals hitting the concrete and her chiffon sundress blowing slightly in the breeze, she felt like a model doing a magazine shoot. It didn’t seem real. She kept telling herself, “Play the part.” The summer heat radiated in waves off the pavement, and the sounds of the city invigorated her as she fought the crowds of people along the sidewalk.
    First she entered Versace. The ornate limestone facade with the large glass doors, and an unlimited amount of money in her purse gave her a rush of adrenaline. It felt different from exercise. It was the strange sensation that she could buy anything and everything she wanted. She did her best to feign the image of someone accustomed to spending. It didn’t take long before she believed it as much as the store’s associates.
    She tried very hard to not notice prices as she chose dress possibilities. She liked a cotton pique sheath dress and a gathered bodice sheath dress. They accentuated her trimmer figure. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she judged her image by would Tony like this? She decided he would. According to the associate she also needed shoes. When all was said and done and she paid for her two outfits, she almost lost her composure. The associate smiled and said, “That will be $3,657. Would you like to place that on an existing account?”
    Claire worked diligently to keep her mask intact although her heart rate dramatically increased. “No, I will pay for it now and my driver will be back to pick it up. Let me give you his number and he will work out the details.” She handed the associate her American Express.
    “Thank you, madam, I will be glad to take care of that for you.” She rang the transaction. This kind associate definitely needed a tip, appearances.
    Claire preceded north, next stop Cartier. She was determined to make it back to the apartment with items to show Tony. She decided on a nice little pair of sunglasses for only $500. She thought about the $10 sunglasses she wore for all four years of college. She then continued with more shopping. The crowds of people talking, the cash registers ringing, the smells of exhaust and crowds, the sights of tall buildings as she looked up to the sky, all worked to build the feeling of elation.
    By one o’clock, Claire was exhausted. She purchased a few dresses, some shoes, a few new lingerie items, and sunglasses. She successfully spent over $5,000. It truly seemed ridiculous to her, but she was determined to make Tony proud . She didn’t want to shop anymore. She stopped at the Trump Tower, less than two blocks from her pick-up destination, to have lunch. She’d been there before and remembered the Trump Café. The people and beauty of the glass caught her attention as she entered the Atrium, but her mind focused on food.
    In the past four months she hadn’t made one decision about food. Now she salivated at the idea of ordering anything she wanted. There were even desserts. She took a few minutes wandering around the cases, so many choices. The aroma from the grill caused her to think of hamburgers in the summertime. She could almost taste the foods as she inhaled their delicious scents. She silently debated her options.
    Claire found a table near the window and ate her spinach salad, iced tea, and yogurt. It was still her choice but eating healthy made more sense. She ate and watched. New York had always been fun, and even today, by herself, she found it fun. She glanced at her watch, one forty. She finished her lunch and walked toward the Plaza Hotel. Tony wouldn’t be waiting. But she didn’t want Eric to tell him she was late.
    When Eric pulled the car to the curb, Claire was ready to get in. However, she waited for Eric to park, get out, and open her door. She’d learned to perform her part well. Once back on the road he inquired as to the next destination. “I believe I’m tired and would like to go back to the apartment. Oh, did you pick up my purchases?” Yes, they were in the trunk. He would have someone take them to Mr. Rawlings’s room immediately upon arriving at the apartment.
    Claire sat back, closed her eyes, and let herself be taken