The Living Room

by Rolfe, Bill

  Their hands wandered unrestricted across each other until the two bodies became one again. There was no sense of time, no recognition of insecurities, and no concern about performance. It was passion in its purest form, shared physically by two people in love, and not duplicated often enough in most relationships.

  Depleted of energy, they both rolled to one side. Claire nestled her back into his chest. As he wrapped his arms around her physique, they serenely descended into dreamless sleep.

  * * *

  They were both up before a full sunrise and sat talking in the kitchen about the mutual decision to return to New York together. They had managed to get just enough sleep to start the planning process. Daniel assured her that he would use his many resources to help ease what would otherwise be an overwhelming task of relocation.

  “Can you call Dr. Abrams and ask him if we could meet his sister at the hospital this week?”

  “I’m sure she’d come to the house,” Claire replied.

  “Yeah, but I’d rather meet with her there. That way I can thank him for everything.”

  Daniel felt guilty over abandoning Mrs. Lipton as his realtor but would stop by the hardware store on his next trip to town to explain the change in circumstances, and leave her a generous compensation for her time.

  Meanwhile, Claire made numerous pages of notes and checklists for the things that needed to be done before she could imagine herself on a plane crossing the globe. Daniel helped shorten the lists with the reassurance that they would make a few trips back to manage the whole endeavor. This settled her nerves.

  After a long session of planning with Claire, he picked up the phone.

  “Hello, Nancy!”

  “Daniel! Are you home?” Her voice emitted excitement.

  “Not yet, but that’s what I’m calling for. Could I get you to do me a favor?”

  “That’s what I’m here for. What do you need?”

  “Could you make the flight arrangements for me? Just give me a couple of days to clean things up around here, and give me a call back with the flight details.”

  “Of course. First class with a window?” she confirmed, already making the note in the organizer on her desk.

  “Yeah, the window seat and the one next to it.”

  Possibly misled by a bad connection, she asked him to repeat his instruction. “Sorry, Daniel, did you say you wanted two seats?”

  “Yes, please, and tell Art thanks.”

  Daniel hung up and walked into the bedroom to find Claire sitting on the bed.

  “Nancy’s going to make the arrangements and call me back. Is everything okay?”

  She expressed her feelings without a word, taking his face in her hands and kissing him deeply.

  * * *

  Nancy was puzzled as she hung up, but it only took a moment to register. She grinned and picked up the phone to make the necessary bookings.

  “Was that Daniel?” Art shouted as he walked out from behind a badly cluttered desk. He had tried his best to keep Daniel’s accounts in order, but after his move upstairs, he left behind the skills he’d once had.

  “Yes, Mr. Rothschild. He’ll be back by the end of the week. I’m just booking the flight now.”

  This seemed to comfort him a little. He walked back toward the mess he now had to clean up before Daniel’s return.

  “Oh and he’s booked two seats. I guess he’s bringing somebody back with him.” She proceeded with her arrangements.

  Art turned to make sure he had heard her correctly. She peeked up at him with a smile to confirm.

  He walked into the office, trying to mask his delight with sternness, and closed the door. Once alone, his satisfaction showed. He stood rocking back and forth and put his hands in his pockets, proud of his pupil and of himself for giving such good advice.

  * * *

  The house Claire lived in, inherited from her mother, was cleaned out after a few days of hard work and favors that she had called in from many co-workers—who were all willing to help and proud to have Claire as their friend. She had very few belongings other than the most common furniture, most of which would be stored in Brenda’s basement.

  Claire could return soon to clean up the rest and allow herself some time to decide what to do with the property. Selling it didn’t sit well with her and renting it was always an option, but there was no urgency. The item ranked low on the redrafted checklist she carried in her purse.

  They arrived at the hospital to give Brenda her spare key and meet with Dr. Abrams’ sister, who was running a little late.

  “She should be here any minute. How are you feeling?” The doctor was still awestruck by Daniel’s recovery.

  “I feel great. Thanks for everything, Doctor.”

  Dr. Abrams acknowledged the appreciation but couldn’t take responsibility for something he didn’t understand.

  “Sorry I’m late.” This woman’s demeanor and attire appeared more professional than Mrs. Lipton’s eccentric personality and outfits.

  “I’ll leave you guys to talk. All the best, Mr. Clay. Take good care of our Claire.” The doctor smiled at her for the first time since they had been working together.

  “Actually, this will just take a second, and it may require you to be present,” Daniel announced before the doctor could make his exit.

  Everyone in the room was confused by Daniel’s comment, including Brenda, who had also been about to leave.

  “I’m not selling the house. Instead, I’d like to sign it over to the hospital.”

  Claire audibly gasped for breath and took his arm. In shock, she struggled to breathe normally.

  “It’s just my way of saying thanks. You can keep the room open for the children, or sell it and put the money into this place. Whatever you want to do, it’s your call. Just tell me where to sign,” he added to the realtor.

  Brenda realized quickly that Claire had been given no prior idea that this was part of the relocation plan. They smiled at each other, and then Brenda showed real emotion publicly for the first time. She straightened her uniform as if in the presence of royalty.

  “You’re a real gentleman, Daniel.” She held back a tear and respectfully left the room.

  “Are you sure about this, Mr. Clay?” the doctor inquired.

  “Yes, it’s what I want to do.”

  Trying to cover his amazement, the doctor said, “Let’s go to my office so I can check what measures are necessary for this to take place.”

  As they all left the room together, Claire held on tightly to Daniel’s arm.

  Chapter 14

  * * *

  In her seat on the plane, Claire rested her head on Daniel’s shoulder and slept in comfort for most of the trip. He noticed that the passenger he had flown beside not so long ago was seated a few rows back. She was with her family now and caught him in a glance. They both smiled, and she quickly returned to conversation with one of her children.

  He was overflowing with happiness and disbelief at all that had transpired since he had sat next to her. He kissed Claire’s forehead then stared out the window, wondering what he had done to deserve all that he had now.

  * * *

  The first few days at home for Daniel were more like a tourist trip for Claire as he escorted her around the great city. He made brief visits to his office for appointments to reacquaint himself with his clients. Early afternoon visits to the museums, evening plays and performances, and late suppers in New York’s finest restaurants made up the rest of the time.

  Back in town for a couple of weeks and driving to their first office party together, Claire was nervous about the formality of the event, although she had met most of his coworkers already.

  “I just have to make a quick stop and then we’re off to dance the night away,” he promised with a smile.

  She watched him walk around the front of the vehicle and blew a kiss through the windshield.

  It was past regular business hours, but Daniel knew somebody would still be here.<
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  “Mr. Stines!” he called out.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you come in,” the elderly lawyer said as he cleaned around his desk. He recognized Daniel immediately.

  Daniel sat down and spoke, interrupting the shuffling of paper into neater piles. “Do you remember me?”

  “Of course, Mr. Clay. Did everything work out okay with your house in England?”

  Daniel took a moment, grinning to himself. “Well, I guess it’s hard to forget a guy when he comes in here and acts like a jerk the way I did.”

  Mr. Stines was taken aback. “No, you’re a busy man—”

  Daniel interrupted him. “You helped me out for nothing. And I took some cards when you asked for referrals.”

  Seemingly more nervous now, Martin explained, “Oh but, Mr. Clay, I wasn’t expecting—”

  Daniel cut him off again and confessed. “When I walked out last time, I threw them in the garbage.”

  A moment of silence passed while Martin digested the admission and tried to understand why Daniel had come back to speak with him now.

  “Mr. Stines, I want to apologize for throwing them away, and for the attitude I had when you were just trying to help me and professionally grow your business.”

  “Well, thank you. I’m not sure what to say.” He was obviously uncomfortable.

  Daniel rose to leave. “I have some client estate planning coming up later in the month. Is it okay if I call you to have some work done?”

  This announcement roused Mr. Stines from his stunned state. “Of course. Let me know if I can be of any help,” he stammered but managed to get the words out.

  “Great. Oh and I’m on my way to a party with the firm right now. How about giving me a few more cards? I’ll pass them around for you this time. I promise.”

  “That would be”—he couldn’t find the words or the cards as he riffled through his desk drawers—“great, Mr. Clay. Thank you.”

  He found the cards and handed some to Daniel. His expression of amazement and excitement was for the possible new business that might make his years of hard work finally pay off.

  “I’ll call you in a couple of weeks then. Have a good night. Oh and, Mr. Stines, you better call your partner, Becker. It’s getting late. She’s probably got dinner on the table by now.”

  Daniel proudly smiled at the results of his homework. He let Mr. Stines know it was nothing to be concerned about in their future association.

  “Whose place is that, sweetheart?” Claire asked when he got back to the car. She was happy to see him return safely after she’d gotten a view of the neighborhood while waiting anxiously for him.

  Daniel put the cards in his shirt pocket. “That’s my new attorney. So, are you ready to go dancing?”

  * * *

  The couple entered the hall that was rented for the occasion but were caught off guard with the exploding round of applause. Everyone had arrived hours before. Claire knew what was planned and had successfully kept the secret from him.

  Daniel was flabbergasted. “What’s going on here? What’s this all about?”

  Art appeared from the middle of the crowd and walked toward a very befuddled Daniel.

  “Surprise!” was all he managed to say, holding his palms up. Then he motioned to the crowd to separate down the middle, which they did while maintaining their applause.

  Behind them was a sign, similar to the one he was used to seeing every morning when he arrived at the office. Only now it had been altered:

  Rothschild, Bowman, Duke, and Clay.

  He couldn’t believe it and had to read it again slowly to make sure his eyes weren’t playing tricks on his mind. Even years of visualization and belief in himself hadn’t prepared him for the emotion of seeing his name this way. He shook his head with a grin, beaming from within, and reached for Art’s outstretched hand.

  “Thank you, Art.”

  “Hey, you earned it. The vote was unanimous.”

  Daniel looked at Claire and back again at Art. “Thank you, for everything.”

  They shared the moment together before Art walked away to get the evening’s schedule underway.

  One by one, coworkers came up to give their congratulations, best wishes, and a few one-liners about parking spots and perks that could be shared by the new partner.

  The party shifted into full swing with the band playing after Art’s signal. Daniel held Claire’s hand tightly for support, taking a break for a kiss.

  “So did you know about this? How did you?”

  “Nancy called me last week, and I promised not to say anything,”

  They kissed a few more times and Daniel observed the room filled with friends and well-wishers. He nodded at Art who was standing next to the bar with his wife Linda.

  “I have another surprise for you tonight if you think you can handle it,” Claire ventured.

  “Oh yeah, well, after this I’m ready for anything.”

  Claire took him by the hand and kissed his palm. She slowly slid it down and placed it flat on her stomach.

  “Surprise,” she whispered.

  Unprepared, the excitement numbed his entire body.

  “You mean…?”

  She nodded back.

  They kissed again and held each other tight.

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