Truth, стр. 109
Cindy brought dry scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit and served it on the balcony. Claire ate her breakfast and drank tea and orange juice while a soft breeze blew her unbound hair around her face. Taking in the beautiful, green, peaceful scene, it was difficult not to enjoy her surroundings. Everything was perfect.
When Claire finally descended the grand stairs, it was almost twelve. She’d wanted to speak with Catherine. And although Tony was due home any minute, Catherine was waiting for her near the sun porch.
“Do you think we have time for a walk?” Claire asked.
“Yes, not too long. However, I believe it would be good for you to walk.”
The two women strode in step out of the sun porch and down into the backyard. Even though the midday sun heated the June day, a warm breeze kept the air moving and comfortable. Together they made their way to the gardens. Flowers of all colors adorned the paths. Following the flagstone stepping stones they made their way to a stone bench at the edge of Tony’s yard.
“This is visible, not audible.” Catherine said. Claire nodded. “Ms. Claire...”
“Just Claire, please?” Claire asked with a smile.
Catherine smiled, “Claire, thank you for what you said yesterday. You will never know how much it means to me. Mr. Rawlings asked me about a box of information sent to you in prison. Why do you believe it was sent?”
Claire’s insides fluttered. She didn’t know if it was their baby finally waking or anxiety produced by the possibility of answers to her many questions. “I think it depends on who sent it. At first I thought it was sent by Tony. If that were the case, I thought it was done maliciously – bragging about the things he’s done.” She paused. When Catherine didn’t respond, Claire continued. “Now I’m not sure. And I don’t understand all of the contents.”
“What don’t you understand?”
“How long have you known Tony?”
“A long time,” Catherine’s expression revealed someone reminiscing. “I met him the day he graduated high school.”
Claire gasped, she had no idea they went back that far. “So you knew him when he was Anton?” Catherine nodded. Claire asked, “Did you know his family: his parents and his grandparents?”
“Yes, I did.”
There were so many questions going through Claire’s mind. She didn’t know which ones to vocalize. “He never talks about his family. Well, he’s mentioned his grandfather a few times. Please tell me about them.”
Catherine focused on Claire, “Someday, perhaps. Today is about Anton. He needs you more than he is willing to admit, even now. I hope you can see the strides he has accomplished and the concessions he’s made.”
Claire fought the emotions within her. She steadied her shoulders, “I do. I also have memories. Not just the ones of here. You mentioned sometimes being with him was difficult. You and I both know that’s an understatement.” Claire inhaled deeply and continued, “I also have memories of prison. Tell me why he did that to me.”
“Mr. Rawlings is a man of his word. The problem was, he made two different promises and he felt honored to keep them both. He hoped that by fulfilling one, in a different than expected way, he may have the chance to rectify the other.” Catherine squeezed Claire’s hand. “That’s up to you. Please give him the chance.”
“Why are you so loyal to him?”
“He is like my family. I have seen what life has done to him and how he has triumphed on so many levels. He has been loyal to me, also.”
“But, if I’m to interpret the box correctly, he’s done some terrible things.”
“Ms. – I mean, Claire, we have all done some terrible things. That doesn’t mean we aren’t capable of good. You’ve shown me that, too.”
As Claire was about to respond, they both heard the approaching footsteps. Coming from the house, Tony advanced carrying a large satchel. His concerned expression mellowed when his dark eyes met Claire’s. Abruptly, Catherine stood.
“Catherine.” His one word greeting could easily be interpreted as a reprimand.
“Tony,” Claire reached for him. “What do you have?”
Slowly, his piercing gaze left Catherine and turned toward Claire. She watched the light overtake the dark and a smile emerge. “I see you’re wearing the hiking boots.”
“Well, yes, you promised a walk,” Claire responded.
“I have our lunch. Shall we picnic at your lake?”
Catherine said, “I will leave you two to your afternoon.” Her eyes pleaded at Claire before she nodded and turned away.
“I hope I remember the way.” Claire said as they began walking toward the trees.
“Did I interrupt something?” he asked.
“Girl talk. I’ve missed Catherine terribly.” With a tightening in her stomach brought on by concern for the woman she held dear, Claire hoped Tony’s lack of response meant this conversation was done.
She did remember the way. With each step the directions came back to her. When the trees opened to her meadow, Claire sighed with relief. Everything was just as she’d remembered. The shadowed fringes contained remnants of morning glories the color of the Iowa sky. Daisies and mustard plants added yellow and golden highlights to the otherwise green clearing. Although Tony and Claire talked during their hike, they also enjoyed the quiet serenity of nature.
The buzz of the occasional insect and the rustle of the leaves above, brought on by the gentle wind, filled their ears. As they neared the lake, Claire noticed the fresh aroma of the water penetrating her lungs with each breath.
The new boots she’d found in the well-stocked closet stood upon the pebbles of the lake’s edge while the waves lapped the shore. Out over the water, the sun shone in sparkling prisms like colored flashes above the rippled lake. Tony squeezed her hand and whispered, “It’s as beautiful as I remember.”
“Have you been here – recently?”
“No, I’d be lost without you.” Claire wondered if he meant he’d be lost in the woods or if the statement held deeper meaning.
They laid the blanket upon the shore and unpacked the lunch. She made no attempt to hide her ravenous hunger. Claire blamed her appetite on the exercise.
Later in the afternoon as the warmth continued to build, Claire took off her shoes and socks and ventured into the water. The soft underwater terrain squished beneath her toes. The warm sun on her skin and the cool water on her feet created the perfect balance.
“We could swim?” Tony offered.
“I didn’t bring a bathing suit.”
“Me either,” he managed with a sultry grin. Claire laughed and declined his offer. Instead, they lounged on the blanket in their shorts. As the sun’s rays intensified, Tony removed his shirt. Claire found the view from the blanket very enjoyable.
No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.
—Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Chapter 45
September 1989
Anton eased his rental car in the parking space at the Royal Hotel on Century Boulevard. Thankfully the low watt overhead lights did little to brighten the shabby cracked asphalt lot. Even if he tried, he couldn’t ignore the beat-up old automobiles filling many of the available spaces. With the demise of his family’s fortune, Anton had fallen. He was extremely thankful he hadn’t fallen this far. And under normal circumstances he’d never step into the likes of this flea infested hotel.
It was a place where whores and junkies rented rooms by the hour. For some it was a living, for others – their death. It was the last place in Santa Monica anyone would expect a Rawls to stay. For that reason and that reason alone, it is where Anton safely stowed his step-grandmother.
Technically, Marie wasn’t his step-grandmother any longer. Nathaniel suffered a massive heart attack four months ago. His death came two months before the completion of his sentence. The news sent shock waves through Anton’s family like a 7.0 earthquake.