by Marie Astor
She put on her strappy platform sandals that she could walk in for hours and grabbed her bag. She was ready.
The doorbell rang, and Claire almost jumped in mid-air. She had just made it.
She opened the door and saw Alec standing there, dressed in navy jeans and a black polo shirt.
“Hi, Claire.” His hair, still wet from the shower, was combed back, with a few loose strands falling over his brow.
“Hello.” He looks like sex on a stick, Claire thought and gulped. What does he want with me? the old Claire whispered. Well, there is only one way to find out, Claire smiled at Alec.
“Shall we?” Alec offered her his hand.
Claire smiled, sensing Alec’s clasp close around her hand. The only way of knowing where their walk in the park would lead was by taking the first step together.
Chapter 35
David Lawson sat in his father’s office chewing the inside of his cheek. He had never despised himself more than at this very moment.
His whole life he had been cowed before the old man, and now he was waiting in his office to hear about the dirt that Allan Lawson’s private investigator had dug up on the man David’s ex-fiancée was currently seeing. The prospect was mortifying, and not because of David’s jealousy. He would be the first to admit that he had pretty much given up all rights in that regard. But the fact that David’s father forced him to expose his dirty laundry to outsiders was vexing, although David also had to consent that after his recent brush with tabloid fame, he had pretty much lost all rights to privacy as well.
David glanced at the creased theatre section of the New York Times he had been carrying around for several days. Claudia would be starring in a Broadway play – The Glass Menagerie, of all choices. It was to open six months from now. How he longed to buy the largest bouquet of yellow roses and be there to congratulate her.
The door opened, and inside walked Allan Lawson, followed by a middle-aged man dressed in a creased linen suit.
“David, this is Ross Tully – the best PI in all of the United States and possibly, the world. Ross, this is my son, David Lawson.”
Apparently I do not warrant a further introduction, David thought glumly as he rose from his seat. “Pleasure to meet you, Ross.” David extended his hand, which was immediately sandwiched by Ross’s meaty palm.
“Likewise, David.” Ross Tully’s tongue flicked over his lips, his watery gray eyes locking in on David’s face.
“Would anyone like a drink?” Allan Lawson offered in an unusual gesture of hospitality.
“I’d love one.” Ross leaned back on the sofa with a grunt.
I’m sure you would, David thought, trying not to stare at the maroon color of Ross’s complexion. He must have been a handsome man once, but now his features were distorted by too much food and drink. Probably, the side effects of being a PI, David thought.
Allan Lawson placed scotch glasses on the table: the usual two fingers for himself and David and a staggering four for Tully.
“Gentlemen.” Tully raised his glass to his lips and emptied it in one continuous gulp. “Ah, excellent stuff, Allan – as usual.”
“You know that I only stock the best.” Allan Lawson’s lips wove into a thin smile. “A refill?”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
Allan Lawson promptly rose from his seat and returned with a generous helping of scotch, which he placed in front of Tully.
“Much appreciated.” Tully upped his second glass as he did his first.
This maroon-faced drunk was the man his father chose to poke in his affairs? David sipped at his scotch, trying to remain calm, which was getting harder by the minute,
“Well, as much as I’d love to sit here and chat, I know that the reason I’m here is not to drink scotch, although I’ve enjoyed it very much. So, without further ado, here’s what I’ve got so far.” Tully plunked a thick manila folder on the table. The paper pile made a thudding sound as it hit the table surface, its contents spilling out. Photographs –tens of photographs.
David felt something inside him tighten as looked at the strewn images: Claire walking down the street with her hair bouncing on her shoulders, Claire hailing a cab, Claire holding up a dress in a store, Claire kissing a man – the same man David had seen her kiss the night he had crawled into her building in a pathetic attempt to apologize for the second time. As if there were words for an apology that could excuse belittling a beautiful woman, an exceptional woman, by taking her for granted. Well, now Claire belonged to someone else. David had lost his chance, and the worst part of it was that he did not even regret it. That was, he did regret it. He regretted hurting Claire, but he certainly did not regret not marrying her, and despite his life being ruined by it, David sure as hell did not regret his affair with Claudia.
“Oopsie.” Tully scooped the photographs with his thick fingers. “Let me organize these first.” He meticulously arranged the photographs, his fat hands moving with unexpected deftness. “Here we go. I’ve been following, the subject, Claire Chatfield, as instructed. Overall, she leads a pretty low key existence.” One by one, Tully tossed the photographs of Claire on the table as though they were poker cards. “Last week the subject was seen with this man.” Tully plunked the photograph of a dark-haired, handsome man on the table. “His name is Alec Brunell. He lives in an apartment directly upstairs from Ms. Chatfield’s. This man is a tango instructor and dancer, and if I may add, quite a ladies’ man.” Tully fanned out photographs of Alec in tango dance positions with a slew of long-legged beauties. “These are his students, and while, unfortunately, I was unable to obtain images of a more explicit sexual nature, I believe that if Ms. Chatfield were to see these photographs she would end her association with this abominable character immediately.”
David looked at the photos. Sure, he hated the man by default, but there was nothing incriminating about these images. In one, a long-legged brunette was leaning her back against Alec’s hand; in another, a slim blonde had her leg hooked through his. While sensual, seductive even, these images did not prove anything other than the fact that Alec happened to be a very good tango dancer. Then, David’s glance fell on the image of Alec kissing Claire, and something inside him tightened again. There was such passion, such happiness on their faces. He did not remember Claire ever looking like this when she was with him. Who was he to ruin Claire’s newly-found chance for happiness? Had he not done enough?
“I trust that you know what to do, David?” Allan Lawson met David’s eyes.
“Yes, Father. Now, if you’ll both excuse me, I’ve got some matters to attend to at the office.” David rose from his seat and walked out without waiting for his father’s reply.
“Hey there.”
David turned around, taken by surprise, but then he should not have been. His sister had loved sneaking up on him ever since she was a kid.
“Hey yourself.” In an absent-minded gesture, David lifted his hand to ruffle Stephanie’s hair, but stopped himself short. She was not a kid anymore.
“How is it going?”
“Okay.” David paused. It was really far from going okay, but he was not about to unleash his unorthodox love life on his baby sister. “How is it with you, stranger?”
“Good. Great, actually.” Stephanie clicked her bubble gum. “Just got a modeling contract signed with Hanes. I’ll be out of here next week. By the way, you were wrong to fire Amber. She’s really good. She got me the Hanes deal.”
“Ah, I’m glad.” David rubbed his forehead. “It wasn’t my decision to fire her, it was Dad’s.”
“It figures.” Stephanie shrugged. “How long are you going to let him boss you around, David?”
“It’s not that simple, Steph.” David shook his head. The last thing he needed right now was to hear accusations from his little sister. “I’ve got to go. Congrats on the new job. Let me know if you need help looking for an apartment.” He turned around to open the car door.
“What’s this?” Stephanie sn
atched a stack of photographs from David’s jacket pocket. Next to it was the folded clipping from the New York Times.
“Give it back,” David snapped.
Stephanie’s eyes flew wide open as she flipped through the photos. “Does Dad have you spying on Claire now? And this?” She held up the New York Times clipping. “Claudia Block to star in The Glass Menagerie.”
“Just give it back, okay?”
“Not until you tell me what you’re going to do, David.” Stephanie jumped back, holding her arm behind her back, like she used to when David would catch her stealing things from his room in their childhood: not because she needed them, but she wanted him to chase after her.
“Just give it back, Steph. It’s not funny.” David crossed his arms. He was not going to chase his baby sister. He was a grown man.
“Are you going to ruin Claire’s life by telling her lies about this guy? They look so happy together.”
“You don’t even know anything about the guy.”
“I know that Claire didn’t look anywhere near as happy when she came here with you, and I know that you’re still in love with Claudia Block. That’s enough for me. Do you know that Claire and Amber still don’t speak because of you? Not only did you break her heart, you made her lose one of her best friends. How long are you going to let Dad run your life, David? You’re hurting other people because of your indecision, not to mention yourself.”
David stood back. There was nothing he could say in return. How did it come about that his baby sister was the wise adult and he was the idiot? Suddenly, he knew exactly what he needed to do.
“Just give the photos back, Stephanie. I promise to fix everything.”
“Promise to leave Claire alone? You know, I really liked her. It would have been great to have her for a sister-in-law, but if you lie to her, I swear the truth will come out.”
“Don’t worry.” David smiled wryly. “There’ll be no more lying.”
Chapter 36 – Epilogue – Six Months Later
David sat quietly in his seat. It was only a dress rehearsal, but to him it felt as though it were already opening night. So much planning had gone into the past six months. In a way, it was not only Claudia’s dress rehearsal, it was his as well. For far too long he had lived according to the will of others, mainly his father’s, and now, he had finally become his own man. Earlier today David had signed the deal with a venture capitalist firm to sponsor his vision – a set of hotels in Africa that would donate ten percent of its revenue to local communities. In time he’d like to donate more, but it was a start, and it was his own gig through and through. Ever since he had broken out from under his father’s wing, David had had to rethink his lifestyle. He had had to cut down drastically, but surprisingly, Claudia had not minded. It turned out that David had underestimated her after all. The night he had shown up at Claudia’s doorstep with nothing but the clothes on his back and his name, she took him in, begging for his forgiveness – as if he could ever hold a grudge against her. That was what love felt like. It did not always make sense, it was not always pretty in the eyes of others, but it made sense in one’s own heart, and that was what mattered.
The only regret David had was that it had taken him this long to learn this simple truth. If only he could go back in time and erase his mistakes. But such notions were the stuff of science fiction; instead, he had the future and he was not going to waste even a moment of it.
David glanced at the folded clipping from the New York Times that he had produced from his jacket pocket. The date of the clipping was three months ago. The title article read: New York Architect Discovers a Hidden Building.
Claire Chatfield, a Senior Architect at Bancroft, Skinner and Willis, is the architect responsible for discovery of a rare example of Gaudian architecture in Tribeca, New York. The building in question housed warehouses and printing presses for over forty years until the owner’s decision to apply for a permit for condo conversion. The unusual structure of the building immediately drew the attention of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which was when Bancroft, Skinner and Willis was called upon for their expertise. According to Daniel Bancroft, Senior Partner at the firm, Claire Chatfield was the natural lead on the project. “Claire’s extensive knowledge of Gaudi’s architectural style made her candidacy an unquestionable choice as the project leader, and she has delivered as expected,” says Bancroft.
The property owner, Fink Corporation, has made the decision to turn the building into a museum dedicated to the architecture of New York. The opening gala, scheduled to take place three months from now, is sure to be the hottest ticket in New York City.
David glanced at the date on his watch. The opening night of the gala was tonight. Good for Claire, he thought. It was about time something good happened in Claire’s life, and the best thing for both of them was that David was not in it.
The lights dimmed, and Claudia drew a sharp breath at her cue. By now, she knew her part by heart - had known it for months. Yet, her heart fluttered, as it did at every rehearsal, threatening to spill out of her chest.
To think that tonight she would open in The Glass Menagerie of all things! A few months ago she would have shunned the role. It was, after all, official admission of her age. When her agent had called her with the offer, half-expecting her to refuse, she had accepted, as her private penance for the dreadful damage she had done to David. Now she reveled in her choice, for David had come back to her, choosing to forsake everything for her, and she would not dare refuse his sacrifice.
There were times when Claudia still could not believe her good fortune. Was it possible to find one’s true love at the age of fifty-one? She wanted to believe that it was, and she was going to hold on to this hope until it would be wrung out of her hands. The thought that David was there, in the audience, waiting for her to assume her place on stage, as he did at every rehearsal, filled her with buoyancy. He loved her, if ever love existed, and to hell with everything else – age difference, money, fame. None of it mattered as long as you were loved.
Claire smoothed her hair, which had been pinned into a neat French twist. She studied her reflection in the mirror as she reapplied her lipstick. In her new black suit, she looked put-together and professional, like a senior architect at a top New York architectural firm should.
She closed her purse, holding up the New York Post clipping she had seen earlier this morning. She remembered the headline by heart: Claudia Block to Star in The Glass Menagerie:
Claudia Block reclaims her place in the limelight with a limited Broadway engagement in The Glass Menagerie.
On a personal note, Ms. Block has plenty to smile about as well, as she has been steadily dating real estate developer and hotelier, David Lawson. Despite the formidable age difference, the two are said to be madly in love.
Claire shook her head and threw the clipping into the garbage bin. She had not spoken to David for over six months, and although she had no desire to ever see him again, she was glad to learn that he had finally found his way. For as impossible as it had seemed at the time, she was no longer angry at David. The night David had come to beg for her forgiveness, telling her that he would be out of her life for good, Claire had found it impossible to hold on to her resentment. She was glad to know that David had finally broken free of his father’s shadow, and albeit she was not David’s dream woman, at least David had finally mastered the guts to admit the truth and fight for the life he wanted.
But enough reminiscing - it was time to address the matter at hand. Deep breaths, Claire thought. Best not to dwell on the fact that she was about to deliver an opening speech to an audience of over one thousand guests. Her boss, Daniel, thought delivering the opening speech was a great perk, just like her promotion, but while Claire agreed with him on the promotion bit, she could have easily done without the speech bit. Still, there was no turning back now. She had rehearsed her speech hundreds of times. She knew exactly what to say. Now, she had to go out there and do it.
/> Head up, shoulders back, back straight, Claire headed through the ladies’ room door.
“Claire, there you are.” Alec beamed at her.
“Hi.” She smiled back. They had been together for six months, and still, every time she saw Alec, it was like a surprise, as if she could not believe her good fortune.
“Claire, I’d like you to meet my parents.” Alec smiled shyly. “My mom, Stella, and my dad, Charlie.”
“A pleasure to meet you.” Claire’s heart raced. Up until now, she’d had no idea whether Alec was going to bring his family to the opening night or not. This was her first time meeting his mom and dad.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Claire.” Charles shook her hand. “Alec tells me that you are quite a historian. You’ve unraveled some intriguing past about our family.”
Claire blushed. In the past few months, she had received more praise than she had in her entire life, but she still was not used to it. “Thank you, sir. I’m so glad that you could come tonight.”
“Oh, we would not miss it for the world. Alec has told us so much about you,” Stella added.
“Don’t embarrass Claire, Mom.” Alec reddened.
“Who said anything about embarrassing anyone?” Charlie slapped Alec on the shoulder. “Recognition is due when it is due. And by the way, son, congrats on the dance school. I hear it’s doing splendidly.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
“You’re welcome, son. Perhaps your mom and I will stop by for a lesson.” Charlie winked. “But Claire, we’re holding you up. From what I understand you’re presenting tonight.”
“I am.” Claire’s voice quivered more than she intended.
“Don’t be nervous,” Stella cooed. “You look marvelous.”
“That’s right. Don’t be nervous,” Charlie added. “Knock them dead.”
“Break a leg, darling.” Alec squeezed Claire’s hand. “I know you’ll be great.”