Truth

asked with obvious concern.
    Claire looked at her watch. Although it said after two in the afternoon, Claire knew it was after four in Iowa. She had an airline lunch in flight, but it wasn’t much. “I know we are supposed to dine later, but I could really use something now, something light.”
    Catherine smiled tenderly, “Of course. Would you like me to bring it to you here or in your suite?”
    Tears threatened Claire’s resolve. She couldn’t think of it as her suite. She wasn’t even sure she could sleep there. But then again, could she sleep anywhere else? “I would like to stay here right now and enjoy this beautiful afternoon.”
    Catherine quickly left to find Claire a snack.
    When Catherine returned, she had a tray with a bowl of chicken salad, a sleeve of crackers, some grapes, and a tall glass of iced tea. Claire sighed and asked Catherine to join her as she ate. Catherine did. The food was perfect. It warmed Claire’s soul to be near this woman. Somehow, no matter the circumstance, Catherine always knew what was best.
    While Claire ate, they chatted about nothing -- very superficial. Once Claire’s food was gone and color returned to her cheeks, Claire breached the subject looming omnipresent. “Catherine, do you believe I tried to hurt Tony?”
    Catherine took Claire’s hand and watched their entwined fingers for a longtime. The sounds of nature from the other side of the screens filled their ears until Catherine looked to Claire and said, “Ms. Claire, I have known Mr. Rawlings for a longtime. I was very concerned for his well-being.” She squeezed Claire’s soft hand. “I know there were times when you were not happy. I know there were times when being with him was difficult. I also know you are the best thing to ever happen to him, and in his own way he loves you more than he has ever loved anyone.” She paused, “No. I never believed you could hurt him, not like that.”
    Claire allowed the tears to flow, not from sadness but from relief. “Thank you Catherine. I wouldn’t do that.”
    “ No, Miss, I know you wouldn’t. However, you have in you, the ability to hurt him deeper than any poison could. Your absence has been very difficult for him. If you chose to abandon him again, I do not know what will happen.”
    Indignantly, Claire replied, “I did not abandon him. He left me at that jail in Iowa City.”
    Catherine’s gray eyes pleaded with Claire in a way words would never articulate, “Ms. Claire, I wish I could help you understand the man beneath the facade. One doesn’t become who he is without cause. Your presence and absence has affected him beyond the same from anyone else.”
    Claire stared and her hands trembled. Finally she managed to voice her new realization, “You sent it to me, didn’t you?”
    “ Ms. Claire, we should get you to your suite. Mr. Rawlings will be here soon and the two of you have dinner plans with the Millers, Bronsons, and Simmons’. I also believe Mr. Summer and Ms. Combs will be there.”
    At this moment Claire didn’t care about her impending dinner plans. “Please tell me. Did you send the box of information to me in prison?”
    Catherine stood. “Eric took your bags to your suite. Do you need me to escort you upstairs?”
    Claire closed her eyes and lowered her face. Her emotions were too intense to contain. “I so hoped...” Her voice trailed away as she swallowed her words.
    Catherine knelt before Claire. Her hand rested upon Claire’s knee; she spoke in a whisper, “Ms. Claire, I am pleased you are here. There are many things for us to discuss, but we must proceed with care. May I suggest you ready yourself for your evening and tomorrow while Mr. Rawlings is working we can walk, perhaps beyond the gardens?”
    The cameras and recordings came to Claire’s mind. Her eyes opened wide. With the excitement of seeing Catherine, she’d forgotten about them. Claire wiped her eyes on her napkin, “Yes, I’d like that. I think I need to freshen up. Do you know how long it will be until Mr. Rawlings arrives?”
    “ Eric sent a text message. They are about to leave Iowa City. He should be here in thirty minutes. Do you need an escort?”
    Claire stood and deeply inhaled the fresh air. “No, I’ll be fine.” She embraced Catherine, “Thank you. I really have missed you. You’re the closest person I’ve had to a mother since my mother passed away.”
    Catherine’s expression surprised Claire. It was a mixture of love and