Truth

“We all know Tony has power – a lot of power. Brent isn’t ready to retire, and there’s no way he can walk away from Tony. Besides, most of our money is tied up in Rawlings Industries’ stock, or it was. We never discussed a fear of physical retaliation, but Brent convinced me our lives and possibly those of our children would suffer unseen consequences if we came clean about this information.”
    “ How long have you known?”
    “ Since before your divorce. The file was on a pen drive from Evergreen’s office. Like my note said, it shouldn’t have been there, and Brent shouldn’t have read it.”
    Claire turned her head into the soft pillow and exhaled. Slowly, she sat and looked her friend in the eye. She truly was at a loss for words and completely uncomfortable with the mixture of emotions swirling inside her chest.
    “ Claire, I understand why you didn’t tell me. I wish you would’ve. I had this feeling things were different than they appeared. Truthfully, I had no idea the enormity of the situation. I understand you couldn’t say anything.”
    “ If I would’ve, I wouldn’t have been allowed to see you.” A sob came from somewhere deep, buried under years of suppression. “I needed you.”
    The two women hugged like never before. After a time Courtney started to laugh, “Aren’t you glad you came all this way, for all this fun?”
    Claire looked into her honest blue eyes now reddened like her own and snickered, “At this moment, I’m not too sure.”
    “ I am. I needed you to know what we know. I needed you to know we understand. And, if for some reason you feel responsible, or like you deserved something, anything that happened to you… you’re sadly mistaken. I told you once; I loved and hated your husband. That’s still probably true. He’s capable of wonderful things. We just never knew the extent to which he’s capable of terrible things.”
    Courtney continued, “Claire, you’re a saint for loving him despite all of that. Please, never think you deserved any of it. No one should endure what that brief says you endured.” Courtney shook her head, “The thing I keep thinking is -- I really believed he loved you. I believed you loved him too. As his friends, we worried about a woman wanting him for his money. I never got that feeling from you.”
    “ I wish I could explain it.” Claire replied, “Hell -- I wish I could explain it to myself. When I met him, I didn’t know who he was. Even after he took me to his house, I didn’t know who he was. Believe me, I hated him. I told him how much I hated him, multiple times. Maybe it was the isolation; I didn’t have contact with anyone but him. Yet, overtime I did love him, or I thought I loved him. And, he did get better, a lot better.” Claire smiled a sad smile. “I think it’s true. Love and hate are very close emotions, both intense and consuming. Even after he left me in jail, and still today, I find myself struggling with those two emotions.” Claire shook her head. “I know it doesn’t make sense. It’s just that when he was good, he could be so good. When he wasn’t… It was just... there was always so much stress and pressure.” Claire thought about Brent. “I think you do understand. I think if anyone would, it would be Brent and you. I’ve seen that same stress on Brent’s face.”
    Courtney nodded, “I’m glad you believe me. We wanted to help you. We weren’t sure it would pay-off. Honey, it wasn’t throwing away our money. It was more than worth it!”
    Claire sat straight. Her mouth gaped with surprise. Finally words came from her lips, “Oh my god, it was you?” Courtney nodded again. “Of course, the petition was filled out. An attorney would know how to do that. Brent’s an attorney.” Claire’s voice sounded shrill with amazement and gratitude. “Let me pay you back. I can now. I sold the jewelry.”
    “ No. Consider it guilt money. We were so helpless, wanting to do anything to stop what was happening to you -- like you said, it was a risk -- a good risk that paid off.”
    Claire hugged her again. “So it’s true, Brent does believe me.”
    “ I said he did.”
    “ Yes, I know you said... but he really does. It’s just when he came to the prison…”
    Courtney interrupted, “Tony warned him. He said the tapes from those visitors’ rooms were available for a price. He told Brent the visit was strictly business.”
    “ Did Tony ever watch the video?”
    Courtney smiled,