Truth

and actions with enough sensibility to form her thoughts, he released her shoulders and stomped toward the windows. The dark San Diego sky turned the multiple glass panes into a mirror. She watched his eyes close in the reflection, and his shoulders sag from behind. The distance gave her needed clarity. The fact, he wasn’t wearing a suit suddenly caught her attention. Her heartbeat calmed, and she listened to his words, “I flew across the damn country and have been sitting in a damn car waiting for your little reunion to conclude.”
    Claire shivered at the idea of him monitoring her movements so thoroughly. “Tony, you need help. I can’t believe you’re watching me that closely. Get over it!”
    He looked at her with disbelief, his voice no longer harsh. What did she hear? “Don’t you understand? I can’t. You know from your prison delivery, I’ve been watching you for a very long time.”
    “ And I think it is beyond creepy. Why? Tell me why. You didn’t answer my question before.”
    Visibly calming, Tony’s clenching ceased. He ran his hands over the back of a chair as a mischievous grin slowly formed, shattering his angry expression and mellowing his gaze. “Creepy? I’ve been called many things, but I think that’s the first time someone has called me creepy .”
    Claire tried to hide her smile, “To your face.”
    After a moment, his amusement reached his eyes, bringing light to darkness, “Touché,” he nodded, “that may be true.”
    “ I guarantee it. Now if you’re going to bust into my hotel room, answer my question. I don’t owe you answers if you’re not going to give them to me.”
    Tony looked at the sofa and back to Claire. “If you’re asking me questions does that mean you aren’t throwing me out?”
    Claire crossed her arms across her chest and debated. A second ago she wanted him out, but his fight toward calm was a step in the right direction. “I don’t recall ever having the ability to throw you out of anywhere. Maybe times do change?”
    “ People change, too.”
    He sat. Before she could join him in the sitting area another knock came upon the door. Tony looked at her with surprise. “Are you expecting company?”
    “ I ordered wine from room service,” she said, as she walked to the door. This time she looked through the peep hole.
    “ That must be why you opened the door earlier. You obviously didn’t look the last time.” He smirked.
    “ You’re right; it’s a habit I need to work on.” She opened the door. A young man dressed in a burgundy uniform entered, pushing a linen covered cart. Upon the cart was a bottle of Merlot and two glasses. He smiled politely at them.
    “ Ms. Nichols.” He acknowledged. Claire confirmed. She realized the scene looked far different than reality. The young man requested, “Please sign this.” He presented her with a small black folder, a smile and a slight bow.
    Claire took the binder and opened the small folder. To her surprise the paper within wasn’t a receipt, it was a note. Ms. Nichols, I’m entrusting your silence. Just making sure you are all right. P. She looked to the waiter, who watched expectantly. Nervously, her gaze went to Tony who too was watching. She took the pen and wrote: Yes – Thanks C . and closed the folder. Finding the ten dollar bill, she handed both to the waiter.
    “ Thank you.”
    “ Thank you, ma’am. May I open the bottle?”
    Claire nodded. After releasing the cork, he bowed again. Claire thanked him, and he left with his small black folder.
    Claire returned her gaze to Tony as she thought, Your creepy stalker, Phil Roach, is concerned. It’s almost comical . She didn’t know if this declaration was good or bad. The ludicrousness made her giggle. If she’d been alone, it may have bordered on hysteria, but as it was, Tony’s voice returned her to present.
    “ Did you order two glasses?”
    She shook her head and tried to focus, her words came through muffled laughter, “No, but since they’re here, would you like some Merlot?”
    He approached her warily. “You know, you are the only person who can have me pissed off one minute and completely dazzled the next. Why are you laughing?”
    Claire shook her head, “I don’t know, shock, absurdity? It seems I never know what’s coming. As much as I plan, I’m continually blown away.”
    Tony poured wine into each glass and handed one to Claire. “Do you remember when we had wine at the Red Wing?”
    Claire closed her