Truth

retraction regarding our 2010 interview. I want you to tell the truth and explain it wasn’t an interview, but an ambush, resulting in an unauthorized article. The retraction must also clarify that during our conversation I never mentioned the name Anthony Rawlings. You made assumptions based solely on conjecture.” Before Meredith could respond, Claire added, “If and when I read your published retraction, the exclusive rights to my story are yours.”
    Verbally Meredith agreed. Claire had heard verbal promises before. She informed Meredith everything would be summarized in a written contract. The breach of said agreement, by either side, would result in a hefty financial penalty.
    Claire agreed to one concession. Meredith could promise a real interview with Claire Rawlings Nichols in her printed retraction. Without a doubt, that piece of journalism would reach Tony’s publicist Shelly, and in essence -- Tony. Eventually they would learn of her interview and impending article anyway. This plan put Claire in control of the timing and gave her visibility. She reasoned visibility gave the world cause, if she suddenly disappeared, making Anthony Rawlings the most likely suspect.
    Claire was no longer hiding or being played by Tony; for once, she was in control! The two women agreed to meet for a series of interviews and editorial sessions, after the publication of the retraction. They left the specific details in flux.
    Smiling, Claire disconnected the call with a sense of satisfaction. She believed it was the right decision at the right time. The public had too many misconceptions. They needed to know the truth. They needed to know the real Anthony Rawlings before he repeated history with her, or heaven forbid with someone else.
    Satisfied with her call, Claire sipped her coffee and noticed the blinking icon on her iPad indicating an email. It was the confirmation of her impending trip. She’d paid for both the airline and hotel reservations with her new Visa. That wasn’t done recklessly. Claire knew her plans were now visible. She even felt a twinge of pride showing her ex-husband her new found independence. Of course, it was all a ruse; instead of flying into Corpus Christi where she’d spend her holiday, Claire was flying to San Antonio, where she’d rent a car, check into a very nice hotel, and then slip away and drive three hours to the coast. The deception was for Courtney. The two friends wanted time together, and their relationship needed to remain clandestine.
    Although Claire wasn’t sure, she believed her movements were being monitored. After all, Courtney said Tony hired a private detective. And in the two weeks since Tony’s call, she’d received two lovely floral arrangements. The first came a few days after their short conversation. It contained cherry brandy roses, lilies, dark blue delphinium, hot pink larkspur, silver dollar eucalyptus and no card. Nevertheless, the meaning was clear... Tony knew exactly where she lived . The second arrangement came a week later with a card simply stating: I have business in California soon. Perhaps we could dine?
    Although Amber called it a waste of beautiful flowers, Claire threw both arrangements directly into the trash. After her reaction to his call, Claire decided she wasn’t ready to face him or talk to him, in person or on the telephone. She could eliminate his voice by disabling her voicemail. Unfortunately, she still received his text messages. They mostly consisted of polite greetings to which she never replied. She hated to admit; even his typed word affected her. Sometimes she missed the pleasant Tony.
    Contradictorily, the voice on the phone that sent chills down her spine and sent her running to the bathroom. That Tony she didn’t miss. Besides, Silicon Valley was beautiful in April with flowers at every turn. They didn’t need flowers indoors too.
    Claire spent her favorite part of each day walking outside. True, the Palo Alto streets weren’t like hiking in the Iowa woods. But, it was outside, and as much as she tried, Claire couldn’t shake the memories of her incarceration. Yet, when the breeze blew her hair and the sun warmed her face, the chains of her imprisonment melted away and her wounded spirit began to heal. With each step in any directions she chose, her lungs filled with fresh air, and she felt her strength grow beyond that of pre-prison, to a place -- pre-Tony.
     
    *****
     
    Unbeknownst to Claire, her outings were