Redemptio Animae

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Redemptio Animae Page 50

by Sydney Gibson


  Elsa was elegant with a modern chin length hair cut accentuating her salt and pepper hair. Kit looked exactly like her parents rolled together, she had her father’s mischievous sparkle in her eyes, and his dimple. She carried her mother’s cheekbones and the elegant beauty Elsa radiated.

  Kit tried to smile back without showing her nerves, lost as what to say to them. She turned to me instantly, "Um, Mom, Dad, this is Claire. Claire Avondale, my...uh..."

  I finished Kit's introduction, "I am Kit's close friend and her boss, but mainly her close friend." I held my hand out to her father first, then to her mother. The pained look easing a bit as she greeted me, "Elsa Neumann, it's nice to meet you."

  Her father grinned exactly like he did all those years ago, "Walter, and I don't mean to be rude right off the bat, but aren't you Senator Claire Avondale?" He gave me a questioning look.

  I nodded, "I am." My hand went to Kit's back as she took a step away, steadying her as much as calming her.

  Walter chuckled, "I knew you looked familiar." He motioned to Kit, "Is Kit taking good care of you?"

  I didn't hold in the grin, looking right at Kit, "Oh, very good care of me, Mr. Neumann." I motioned to the chairs, "Shall we sit?"

  After sitting and being told by both Neumann's to use their first names, Walter turned to Kit. Who was trying to hide behind the tall menus. "So kid, fill us in on your new job, and everything else. It's been a few minutes since we last saw you." He leaned on the table, "It's really great to see you, by the way."

  I saw in the same hazel eyes Kit had, that Walter was beyond happy to see his child sober and the joy when he looked at her, told me she could never do wrong. He loved her regardless.

  Kit stumbled at first, trying to find the words to explain how I hired her to be my assistant, but that it was not as pompous as it sounded. She told them about her cover job duties, keeping to the basics Rebecca had told her day one of what to say when asked. I felt bad that Kit was somewhat lying to her parents, but I knew Kit would do what she had to keep me safe. Plus how do you tell your parents your personal assistant job for a Senator is actually a bodyguard job for a secret doctor who was being hunted for her ability to manipulate DNA?

  Walt listened intently, fascinated when Kit told him about the two events we had attended already. What it was like to be on the other side of the fence and how it was very different from her black suit days.

  Elsa on the other hand was struggling with something. I picked up that Kit's stubbornness came from her mother, who was also listening to Kit fill them in on the last few weeks, but she was not easily forgiving as her husband. The woman was visibly upset with her daughter and trying to hide it for the sake of polite company. I also noticed Elsa would look at Kit and then to me whenever Kit leaned closer to me, or look at me when her nerves threaten to sneak back in. Especially as she told them about how we first met and the move back to the capital and townhouse.

  Elsa's motherly intuition was slowly putting things together. Those things being Kit and I may have more than an employer, employee relationship. As Kit finished a side joke about how I was paying her too much, Elsa took over the conversation, eyes on me, "Senator Avondale."

  I shook my head, "Please, call me Claire."

  Elsa smiled, "Claire." She picked up her water glass, "What is it like working as a Senator? Caitriona would tell us some horror stories about the politicians she worked for in her first few months in the Secret Service. I can't imagine working elbow to elbow with some of those people would be fun."

  I shrugged, enjoying the simple fact I knew what Kit's mother was doing, because it was exactly what Kit did that first tense week. She was testing me, feeling me out. I went to answer as the waiter came to take our order. I tapped the menu, "Feel free to order what you all would like, dinner is on me."

  Walter smiled, "Claire, you don't have to do that."

  I held up my hand, "It is my pleasure." I felt Kit's hand fall to my knee, squeezing lightly, her way of also saying I didn't have to. "I will not take any excuse, tonight is my treat." I dropped my hand under the table to hold Kit's while looking at her, my way of telling her that I wanted to do this and I wouldn't take no for an answer.

  I turned to hand the waiter my menu and place my order, finding Elsa looking dead at me, I smiled, returning to the question she asked, "The Senate is an interesting place to work. Not exactly what I thought it would be, since I have also experienced similar horror stories as Kit has, but it's a part of the job. Politicians come with egos, it's a matter of navigating them."

  Elsa nodded, "Of course." She handed her menu to the waiter after placing her order, "I am surprised you hired Caitriona to be your personal assistant and not as your security. I am sure you know she was a Secret Service Agent, a good one to." Elsa flicked her look over at Kit who was looking at her water, jaw clenched tight.

  I pressed my hand tighter into Kit's before letting it go to pick up my water, "Of course I know Kit was an agent, one of the best. She came recommended to me through an old family friend and I found Kit to be a perfect fit for what I needed. Focused and driven." I smiled, glancing at Kit, "I hired her in the first five minutes of meeting her, she impressed me so much. It's only been a month, but she has done wonders for me."

  Elsa smiled, "And it seems you have done wonders for her." She turned to Kit, "I haven't seen my daughter this happy and shy since she was eleven and a boy in her class told her he had a crush on her." Elsa returned to me, "I should thank you, Claire, for giving her a chance at a new job." And a chance at a new life, I could clearly read through the undertones in the words she was choosing carefully. Elsa was intelligent, it was radiating around her.

  In the last fifteen minutes I saw all of Kit's characteristics laid out equally in both of her parents. Walter was her easy, goofy, loving side and Elsa was her intelligent, stubborn and highly observant side. Elsa and I stared at each other for a moment, communicating silently.

  The waiter came to the table, setting down the side salads with glasses of wine for all of us, compliments of the chef. Kit waved hers off, "I don't drink, but tell him thank you." I watched as Elsa's eyes lightened, hearing her daughter say that was like a small weight of worry lifting off tired shoulders. Walter made a silly joke that he would gladly take her glass when he was finished, then engaged Kit in idle talk about how the Lincoln handled in the snow.

  I stood up, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom." I set my napkin down as Elsa stood up with me.

  "I will join you, Claire. I need to wash my hands before I eat, old OCD habit I haven't shaken in almost forty years."

  I smiled, waiting for Elsa to come around to my side and lead her to the bathroom in the back. I knew what was going to happen the second the bathroom door closed behind us.

  Elsa did wait until I washed my hands, standing off to the side as I scrubbed with soap and hot water, my doctor nature coming through. "Claire, I am not one to skimp on words when it comes to honesty." Her tone was kind and gentle, but she was a mother and she had questions about Kit and I.

  I shook my hands off in the sink, taking the paper towel Elsa held out to me, I dried my hands, looking right in the woman's hazel eyes, the same intense hazel eyes I had woken up to this morning, "I did hire Kit to be my personal assistant, fully knowing that she was a retired agent. I also hired Kit because the moment I sat down in front of her, she made me feel safe." I tossed the paper towel in the trash, leaning against the counter, folding my arms. "Elsa, you are an intelligent woman, an observant woman. I see now where Kit gets it from." I looked up at the woman, "You want to know if there is something more between your daughter and I than just Senator and assistant, you want to know if Kit is truly sober and more than anything you want to know what happened to your daughter that caused her to disappear one day and never to return. Return to that amazing young woman you raised." I kept my tone soft, letting Elsa feel comfortable with me.

  Elsa's eyes widen while her face stayed strong, she ran a hand ove
r her hair smoothing out a few stray pieces, "I had read you had an uncanny ability to read people. That being the reason you are such a successful Senator, but experiencing it first hand is intriguing to say the least. Almost intimidating." She let out a breath, "But yes. Yes, to all of those questions." Elsa looked in my eyes, "Caitriona disappeared and out of nowhere she calls me asking her Dad and I to dinner. Showing up with a Senator on her arm that looks at her the same way I still look at Walter after almost forty two years of marriage. My daughter is sober, I can see that clearly in her eyes and that she has gained a few pounds. Not as sickly thin and grey as the last time I saw her." Elsa hung her head down.

  I moved closer to Elsa, laying a comforting hand on her forearm, "Elsa, I also won't skimp on honesty." I waited for her to look up, "The truth is this. I am in love with your daughter and she will tell you the same if you ask her. We are more than employer and employee, we are something that has yet to be clearly defined. All I know and care about is, there is not a thing I wouldn't do for her, because I love her more than I have ever loved anyone else and I know that forty two years down the road, I will still look at her the same. I look forward to having forty two years more with her by my side."

  I didn't care if Elsa approved or didn't approve of my relationship with Kit, but seeing the small smile on Elsa's face eased me, "Yes she is sober, and has given up finding comfort in alcohol, although it has not been easy, she is doing it. I believe it's because after two years of feeling like she didn't deserve to have a life, Kit found her life. A second chance to start over." I paused, "As for her disappearance and the reason why, I’ll leave that for her to tell you. I think she will tell you when the time is right, but it's not my story to tell. What I will tell you is, that your daughter is an incredible woman who had to push through some incredible circumstances. Circumstances that still haunt her, but she is strong and working to find a way back."

  I took a step back from Elsa, "I intend to stand with Kit as she finds her ground." I smiled suddenly, "I should thank you, Elsa, I see you and Walter in her and that you both raised her to become the stubborn, but loyal woman she is. One that stole my heart the second day I met her."

  Elsa laughed lightly, "I think you have answered my questions, Claire." She dropped her arms, "I could tell you two were in love three minutes into meeting you. My Caitriona always had a hard time hiding her feelings when it comes to matters of the heart." She raised an eyebrow at me with a smirk, "Got her into quite a bit of trouble in high school."

  I laughed with her, "I can only imagine." I looked at the bathroom door, "We should head back before they think we are missing."

  Elsa waved me off, "Walter will talk her ear off about the Lincoln. He's obsessed with cars." She walked with me to the door and as I opened she spoke, "Claire, thank you. Thank you for saving my daughter." Her voice was soft, tears held back, "I started to think I would never have her back, and I would never see her light up like she did years ago." Elsa stopped, sniffling back the tears, "Anyways, enough of the heart to heart."

  I held the door open for Elsa, nodding in agreement.

  As we returned to the table to see Kit laughing with her father, I felt the energy begin to shift from tense to one of a family coming back together. Making me forget all the other tension lingering in the other parts of my life.

  Sitting down I ran my hand across her back, receiving a curt, stubborn look from Kit. Smiling at her I said nothing, only directing her to look at her mother, who was grinning at her daughter and interjecting into the new story Walter was telling about the first time he took Kit to a Pittsburgh Steelers football game. It took Kit a moment to figure out what happened in the bathroom. When she did, all of her tension fell away from her face and her posture. She loosened up, holding my hand until our main courses were delivered.

  When Claire left the table to thank the chef for his complimentary dessert, my Mom told me what they had talked about in the bathroom. My Dad chiming in that he could see it a mile away when he saw me cling to Claire like I did my first teddy bear. Both of my parents telling me all that mattered was that I was happy and they had me back. My Mom did ask if I could spend a day with her and Dad before they headed home, I saw in her eyes she had a ton more questions to ask, and I knew I would have to answer them and tell her about Montreal and Callum. I actually wanted to, let her finally know it was nothing they did.

  Claire returned to the table as the waiter was cleaning up the last remnants of the desert plates. She was in the middle of telling my Dad about how she wrecked her father’s Ferrari when an elegant, obviously wealthy older woman came to the table, smiling brightly and acting a little timid when she approached Claire.

  "Excuse me Senator Avondale, I hate to bother you." She paused, blushing, "I noticed you from my table next to the bar, and I finally had the courage to come over and say hello."

  I scanned the woman, taking note of the designer gold and black shirt with a matching pair of slacks she wore, accentuated by the expensive Rolex and Tiffany diamond ring on her left finger. She was dripping money, her hair was a perfect ashy blonde and cut in the conservative way older women of Washington kept it, topped off with perfect makeup applied by a personal makeup artist. Everything about this woman was pretentious, yet nothing screamed dangerous or a threat to me.

  I watched as Claire slid into the Senator persona, also watching my parents notice the shift in the warm, kind and charming Claire, to the firm, distant, but friendly politician she had to be at times. "It's never a bother, ma'am."

  The woman giggled, rolling her eyes, "Call me Michaela, ma'am makes me feel old." She scrunched her shoulders up, "I hate to admit to it, but seeing you in person I have to say it, I’m a huge fan of yours!" Michaela flipped her hands in the air, "I know, I know! But it's true! I think you are an amazing woman! Such a strong, dedicated Senator. Always working for the people, and you are republican to boot!" Michaela giggled again, "Sorry, a little political joke." She stepped closer to Claire, "All things aside, I think you are a great role model for women all across this country and this world. Working hard for the people and not asking a damn thing from us. Not digging in our pockets for more tax money, giving more back than you take." Michaela set her hand on Claire's shoulder, "I want you to know you have inspired me to donate more to charity. I even researched the charities you support and followed in your footsteps. I just sent checks off to the Breast Cancer Institute, The Woman's Health Group and to the Criterion Centre. The last two are my favorite for the help they do for children."

  My ears pricked up at the mention of the Criterion Centre. I watched the woman as she literally fan girl'd all over Claire. The woman was focused solely on Claire as Claire thanked her for the kind words and support.

  Then Michaela moved her gaze to me, her dark blue eyes meeting mine.

  She only looked at me for a second before turning back to Claire, but in that second something went off in my gut. Telling me there was something familiar about this woman. I threw on my best smile and politely interrupted Claire telling Michaela about contacting her Senate office to learn more about her charity projects, "Excuse me, Michaela, I hate to interrupt. I am Senator Avondale's assistant and if you wanted, I can jot down all of your information and send you out an email on Monday morning. Maybe we could even set up a tour of her office at the Capital building?"

  Michaela's eyes lit up, "Oh that would be wonderful." She stopped a passing waiter, borrowing a pen and a scrap of paper. She scribbled her information, "I am usually free on Wednesday after the girls and I get together for our weekly poker game." Michaela handed me the piece of paper, pointing at the top of the paper, "That's me, Michaela Verger." She drew the pen down her address and her telephone numbers, "That's my home and cell phone number." I took the paper from her liver spotted, perfectly manicured hand, thanking her as I folded it in my hand.

  Michaela clapped her hands together, "Well, I should let you return to your company, Senator Avondale." She squeezed Claire's shou
lder again, "I look forward to the tour!" She then giggled, spun on her heels and trotted back to her table around the corner.

  My Dad laughed, "Wow, can't say I ever seen that. A rich old lady, an obvious democratic rich lady get giddy for a republican." He shook his head, "Times must be changing."

  Claire looked at me, a smile on her face for my parents benefit, "What is it, Kit?"

  I shook my head, "Nothing. I just think I know her from somewhere, but I can't recall where. I want to check her out, can't hurt." I motioned to my parents, "I think they are ready to go."

  Claire nodded, watching me tuck the paper with Michaela's information in my pocket, looking in my eyes one more time to silently question what my intuition was picking up. I waved her off to help my Mom with her chair.

  The four of us stood in the foyer of the steakhouse, my Dad helping my Mom on with her coat as I helped Claire with hers. He grinned at me, slugging me in the shoulder, "You get the chivalry from me." He winked at Claire, making me blush.

  My Dad then held his arms out, "Give your old pops a hug, kid. It's been a minute."

  I smiled, walking into his arms, letting him squeeze the air out of me in one of his traditional bear hugs as he whispered in my ear, "She's a keeper and so are you. Don't disappear on us again, I missed you, Caitriona." I squeezed him back, trying to keep the tears at bay, whispering a choked promise.

  I let go of him and turned to my Mom, who said nothing as she hugged me equally as strong. She said everything she needed in that hug. I heard her swallow hard, knowing she was about to cry, making my tears fight harder for an exit.

  I had to look down and blink after she let go. My Mom sniffling and looking at Claire, "Is there any way I can persuade you to give my daughter a day off to spend it with her old parents?"

  Claire laughed, sliding her arm in mine. I looked at her, shocked at her bold move in public and she looked down in my eyes with her bright sea green ones, "I can and I will." She turned back to my parents, "I have an old friend of mine coming into town tonight. I can get him to fill in for Kit and do some of the boring paperwork for a couple of days." Claire dropped her hand into mine, "She is all yours until Monday." She then turned to my father, "But I have to admit something first, I wanted to wait until the end of dinner, since this was more about Kit. Walter, do you remember about twenty or so years ago, a little inquisitive blonde girl visiting Ocel Steel Mill? A little girl who asked you a million questions?"

 

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