Consequences

hearing himself talk,” Tony paused and smiled, “much more than I like to hear him talk. And the last couple will be Timothy Bronson and his wife Sue. Tim is a junior vice president at my local office. He is young, but has proven himself. I asked Brent to invite him, make him feel involved.”
    That was all helpful information, Claire desperately tried to remember names: Brent and Courtney, Thomas and Beverly, Elijah and Sue . . . no, Elijah and Mary Ann, Timothy and Sue. But that really didn’t answer her question. Claire thought to herself there were wives and long-time companions, what did that make her? “Tony, who am I?”
    “You are a rumor .” Perhaps it was the calm setting of the sunporch or their recent understanding, whatever the reason, Tony spoke thoughtfully. He explained that he had spent his entire life working, accomplishing goals, and fulfilling self-made agendas. He’d been in relationships, but most were very short-lived. He believed strongly in appearances and had not been willing to risk the perception that people have of him on a woman. Claire thought about his words and his honesty, and right or wrong believed him. “You told me that you would not betray my confidence.”
    “I did, and I still mean that.”
    “I believe you know what could happen if you did.” Feeling the prickling sensation that accompanies chills along your arms and legs, Claire believed she did know, but she didn’t confirm that verbally. She allowed Tony to continue talking. “And therefore I have allowed you to become part of my life.” She thought that he honestly meant that as a compliment and she should be flattered; however, the feeling felt more ominous. She wondered and worried about her release. This quiet peaceful setting wasn’t the time or place to voice her concerns. Instead, she decided to put it away and deal with it later. “Since you have been seen with me at various events and I am rarely seen with the same woman over time, you are a rumor. There have been countless speculations about you. Everyone, like the man at the benefit, wants to know who you are and what you are to me.”
    Claire admitted to herself that she too would like the answer to those questions. “I saw our picture in a People Magazine that was in your library.”
    He said that their picture had appeared in many publications. His publicist had kept information limited to the basics: her name and that she lived in Atlanta. The people at this barbeque were part of his inner circle and won’t betray his trust. Other than Elijah Summer, their jobs and livelihood depended on Tony. Elijah was a more public person, but he respected Tony and wouldn’t compromise their mutual relationship.
    She tried one more time, “And I am . . .”
    “Persistent.” His eyes were milk chocolate with a contented expression. He spoke as he moved from the loveseat to the floor of the sunporch. “Well, I would say more than an acquaintance.” Kneeling in front of her and gently spreading her knees, he moved his hand under the hem of her skirt. Their eyes met as the sides of his mouth turned upward into a devilish grin. “Shall we say companion ?”
    If that was a question, she didn’t answer. Her attentions were turned to his actions. His touch eventually directed her from the chair to the rug. The windows and doors were open and they were exposed to the world. It was his house, he didn’t care. His movements were calm like his tone. The staff didn’t return until they were done.
    Late Sunday night Shelby on the Weather Channel said a cold front would pass over Iowa. Claire awoke and opened the drapes to find condensation on the windows with crystal clear skies beyond. She stepped onto her balcony, looked at the trees, and smelled the fresh autumn air. The cool concrete beneath her bare feet and the goose bumps on her arms and legs confirmed the decrease in temperature. Wrapping her arms and her thick cashmere robe around her, she entertained fleeting memories of autumns past. She always loved summers but autumns were special too with cookouts and football games. Today the change of season saddened her, another reminder of time slipping away.
    While in the shower, she contemplated the impending barbeque. It was a new situation, a new test and made her anxious. She hadn’t received a direct answer to her question, so Claire decided to approach the people like she was told to approach Emily. She would try to turn conversation away