Consequences

Her shoulders slumped. “Tony, please stop. No more black velvet boxes. I have plenty of jewelry. I love it all, but I don’t need it. I feel bad about you spending all this money on me.”
    “Well, first, if you haven’t noticed, money isn’t an issue. And what good is money if it doesn’t buy the things I want? Besides, this is a special gift.” Claire raised her eyebrows.
    He continued, “Somehow, with all that happened in the past two months, I made an awful mistake.” Claire feared he was talking about the accident again. “I realized it when I was getting you your ID and credit card.”
    Now she knew what he meant. He’d missed her birthday. “It’s all right. I’ve received plenty of gifts lately.” She tried to give him back the box.
    “No,” he declared adamantly. “It is not all right. You had a birthday, your twenty-seventh, on October 17.” He firmly yet tenderly held her hands with the box in them while his tone softened. “The other gifts were because of your accomplishments. ” And your guilt , Claire wanted to add. “This one is for your birthday.” She looked helplessly at the box. He continued, “Okay, I am a cheapskate.” And with a frisky grin, “I am regifting, again.”
    Looking at the box Claire pondered the possibilities of his regifting. Her eyes opened wide. She lifted the velvet lid to reveal her grandmother’s necklace. It looked perfect, absolutely no evidence of the accident it had endured. She beamed at Tony, closed the box, and put it on the bedside stand.
    Scooting close to him, resting her head on his chest, her green eyes gleamed with moisture. “I think you are doing a great job of enticing me to feeling better. I wonder sometimes how I got here.” The fatigue made her head pound. She closed her eyes, the moisture escaped as tears onto Tony’s chest. Her shields were down and mask gone. “I know I am here because you own me and my debt. Sometimes I feel that way, but other times you make me feel special.” She nuzzled into his warm side. Her words slowed, fatigue was prevailing. “I don’t know anymore if you are using me or if you care about me. I know what I hope.”
    He listened to her. Her words ran together but she continued, “I want you to know it didn’t start this way, but, Tony, I am willing to do what you ask, not because of my debt but because I want you to be happy.” She couldn’t give him gifts in black velvet boxes. She could only give herself.
    He kissed her hair, tasting her scent mixed with hairspray and perfume. He held her soft body against his. “Thank you for making me happy.” Caressing her silky shoulder, he wanted her, all of her.
    “Thank you for helping my necklace too.” She fell asleep with her head on his chest, her breathing rhythmic and even.
    “God help me, I do care about you.” Gently hugging her against his chest, he tenderly moved her hair away from her angelic face. Seeing her sleep, peaceful and trusting, his thoughts of waking her for his desires were quickly replaced. He held her close, closed his eyes, and joined her in sleep.

 
Love comforteth like sunshine after rain.
—William Shakespeare
     Chapter 24
    Tuesday morning bustled with activity. Tony left early for meetings. Eric chauffeured Claire to a spa appointment for a highlight treatment. During the two months since her last appointment, she’d barely ventured outside. She needed sun and blonde to maintain her hair. The sun wasn’t going to happen, but the blonde could.
    Claire agreed to a hair appointment and a manicure but declined other services. The idea of having a massage, someone touching her, made her very uncomfortable. Afterward she had Eric take her back to the apartment, where she rested until Tony returned in the evening. He told her that they had plans for the following evening. He also asked if she went shopping. She had not. Her head ached and was too tired. The answers didn’t please him, but he didn’t complain or argue.
    Wednesday late afternoon Claire prepared for their plans. She didn’t know what they were or where they were going, only to be ready by five. The night before Tony looked through the closet inspecting the clothes Catherine had packed. After only brief scrutiny, Tony announced that nothing she had brought would do for their plans. He wanted her to wear something special, something she chose, and everything brand-new.
    It took her the better part of the day. She left the apartment early in the