“I guess I understand. But, don’t you think he’ll wonder how you got it? I mean – it’s blocked. I know you know that.”
“I do. I’ve seen his contact list, it has lots of people. He isn’t as isolated as he thinks. It just takes one of those many people.”
Courtney continued to watch the scene outside of her window. Near her elbows on her table sat a list of Saturday afternoon activities. Julia, her future daughter-in-law, would be over soon they had many things to accomplish before the quickly approaching wedding. Next to her half full mug of coffee was her list of proposed guests. She glanced at the list of rehearsal dinner locations and caterers. They had appointments with three of them this afternoon.
Their son, Caleb, recently started his own investment company in a Chicago suburb. It was the only plausible reason he would leave Tony’s employment. Luckily, Caleb was convincing when explaining to Tony his desire to - make it on his own. Being an entrepreneur himself, Tony actually encouraged Caleb’s independent spirit. This scenario also gave credence to the removal of some of Brent and Courtney’s Rawlings stock options. They wanted their capital to help finance their son’s endeavors. Courtney’s thoughts kept her from responding.
Claire misinterpreted the silence, “I understand. I really do. If you can’t help me, I’ll find someone else…” her disappointment audible.
“No, I will. Let me get my other phone, it’s programed in there.”
Claire quickly replied, “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Before Courtney could respond to Claire’s gratitude, the sound of multiple voices came through Claire’s receiver. She sat cross legged on her bed fifteen hundred miles away listening to the conversation.
Courtney was so caught up in her conversation and thoughts she didn’t hear the doorbell or her husband’s voice, until he and Tony reached the kitchen.
Brent spoke first, “Look who stopped by.”
“Hello Courtney, I’m sorry for the intrusion. I was on my way home and wanted to talk to your husband for a few minutes.” His deep voice contained its usual friendly tone he used with Courtney.
She covered the phone with her hand and smiled her brightest smile, “Oh Tony, so nice to see you.” Courtney stood to give him a customary hello hug and hoped he wouldn’t notice her accelerated heart rate. “I’m just trying to finalize some wedding plans, if you two will excuse me. It’ll just take another minute.” The two men nodded and looked at the papers on the table. Brent opened the refrigerator, handed Tony a bottle of water, and noticed Courtney’s small black phone, not her usual Blackberry.
“Come on Tony, let’s go to my office. Believe me; you don’t want to be in her way when there’re wedding plans to finalize.”
Tony laughed. “That’s fine. This will only take a few minutes.” Turning back to Courtney, “It’s nice to see you.”
She nodded toward the men as they left the kitchen. Courtney grabbed her Blackberry and stepped through an archway to the sunporch, increasing the distance from her husband’s office. “Shit.” She whispered into the small telephone.
“Oh god, Courtney, I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be sorry. Let me get you the number. Just please wait until he leaves before you call.”
“I will. Honestly, I’m not sure when I’ll call. I just want to know I can.”
Momentarily, Courtney smiled as she scrolled her contacts. Looking toward the archway and back toward the kitchen, she quietly gave Claire the ten requested digits. Then she added, “I hope you know -- I truly hate him for what he did to you.”
Claire nodded. “Thank you, but you’ve been his friend for a long time. I appreciate your help, but I understand…”
“No, you don’t.”
Courtney’s tone surprised Claire. Anger -- fervor, she wasn’t sure she’d heard such vehemence in Courtney’s voice ever before. “Perhaps I don’t.” Maybe she’d pushed Courtney’s allegiance too far by requesting Tony’s number. “I’d better go. Thank you again.”
“Claire,” Courtney’s voice was more of a whisper, “I’d like to see you. I need to be honest with you about what I know and how I feel. It’d be better in person.”
Emotions swirled. Claire wanted to see her friend, yet part of her wondered, is she truly my friend? Hearing Tony’s voice, so casual in her kitchen, could this request be a trap? And know -- what could Courtney possibly know? Claire lied to her, just like she’d lied to everyone else. Was the tone Claire heard directed at her or about Tony?
Claire reminded herself Courtney was the only person to go out of her way to communicate with Claire in prison. She was one of the few people to offer support. Claire replied, “I’d like that too. First, why don’t you concentrate on your company? We’ll work out details later.”
Courtney nodded. “You’re right about time. We’ve known him a long time. However, sometimes you know someone and still don’t truly know them. Other times you learn the truth right away.” She paused, but Claire didn’t respond, so Courtney continued, “I hope we can work it out -- to get-together. We’ll talk later.”
Claire replied, and the line went dead. Courtney placed the small black slender phone in the pocket of her jeans and took the Blackberry back to the kitchen. Julia would be over soon; they had a busy afternoon ahead.
Claire stared at the number on the note pad. There it was. Now, he wouldn’t be the only one able to initiate contact. She added the number to the telephone Tony called the night before. Claire shook her head. There were three telephones before her. All she wanted was one; now she had three!
Courtney wasn’t the only person opposed to the idea of Claire calling Tony. Harry also thought it was a bad idea. Surprisingly, Amber understood Claire’s reasoning. Harry replied with the analogy of poking a bee hive with a stick.
Claire finally smiled and explained, “My dad had a friend who raised bees. We used to go and help him extract honey -- fun but scary. The bees would buzz all around his garage as we worked inside getting the honey out of the combs.”
Harry and Amber listened, probably thinking the bee analogy was meant metaphorically. Claire continued, “When I was little, I was afraid to help. After all, the bees were really mad. You can’t blame them. We’re taking their honey. I remember asking dad’s friend how he got the combs out of the bee hives without getting stung. He showed me this funky hat with netting and a thick material suit and gloves, boots – you know the whole bee garb?” The other two nodded. “So don’t you get it?”
Claire watched waiting to see some realization in her friends’ eyes. When she didn’t see it, she answered her own question. “I promise not to poke the stick in the hive until I’m sure my outfit is fool proof. I don’t intend to be stung ...again.” Claire was sure she saw sparks of admiration in her friends’ eyes.
Now that she had his number, Claire needed to work on her beekeeper’s outfit. Until last night, she wasn’t sure what she’d do. California was turning out better than she ever imagined. Honestly, she’d hoped maybe she could start a new life and forget the last three years. Then the whole paradigm changed; Tony called.