Lunch arrived at the pool. Settling into the lounge chair with a book that made the trip to and from Europe but never opened, Claire was filled with comfort, peace, and contentment. She was home. Jet lag settled in and soon she fell into a deep sleep, sleeping through most of the afternoon. Catherine woke her at four and she went to her suite to prepare for Tony. At five o’clock, Catherine informed her that they would dine on the back patio. Her life’s routine had resumed.

August faded into September, and before she knew it October knocked on the door. Claire and Courtney were very busy finalizing their efforts for the silent auction. The donations, facility, caterers, and wine distributors all confirmed; the guest list approved and invitations mailed. Excited about the impending event, Claire felt it was her debut to the philanthropic world. Tony not only participated in this world, he excelled. She wanted Mrs. Anthony Rawlings to be equally synonymous with charity as Mr. Anthony Rawlings. It was the first time Claire informed Tony that they would be attending an event. He smiled and told her he would check their calendar.

During the auction planning her hostess duties didn’t cease. Various dinners occurred at various locations. They also attended functions and events together. Her biggest decisions involved wardrobe and hairstyle, and often those choices were made for her. That made the Red Cross function all the more important to Claire. She knew she had more to offer.

Not long before the auction Tony and Claire attended a forum in Chicago where Tony was the keynote speaker. He was asked to give a speech about success. The theme of the conference was “Risk verses Failure in the World of Business.” He never practiced his speeches or ran ideas by her. So as Claire sat next to her husband at the head table and he addressed the audience, his words were new to her too.

When she first met him, really met him, she didn’t like the business Tony. He was the one who used to visit her suite. Always professionally dressed, impersonal, methodical, detached, and other adjectives that were not as complimentary. But now she enjoyed watching and being beside Anthony Rawlings, esteemed businessman, while he shined in his element. He radiated an aura that said I am successful. By some it may be perceived as conceit. Claire probably thought of it that way at one time, but now she found it attractive. In the past, she disliked or hated his ingrained confidence and authority but now she could look at it differently. It was sexy. Watching and listening to him she comprehended the importance of her role.

Many times, following the dinner and speech the organizers would schedule a question-and-answer symposium. These were informal, with various people approaching Tony, asking him questions. Many of the attendees were young entrepreneurs looking for advice. According to Shelly, Tony’s participation was essential for public relations. According to Tony, his participation was hell. Claire’s duty included politely interrupting participants so that he could move on to the next and eventually leave.

During these Q & A sessions, multiple people approached Tony. Claire tried to appear attentive yet unobtrusive until it was time for her to interrupt. She didn’t pay attention to the individuals. They blended together in her mind. During this particular conference, a question came from one of the participants that caught them both off guard. A man younger than Tony, closer to Claire’s age, blond and blue eyed, dressed in an expensive suit, approached Tony.

“Hello, Mr. Rawlings, I am pleased to meet you. Your speech was remarkable and inspiring.” Tony shook his hand and politely thanked him, and then the blond man with big soft blue eyes continued, somewhat timidly, “I have an unusual request. May I speak with your wife for a few minutes?”

Claire hadn’t looked at the man until that moment. She was gazing into the crowd. His words made her turn, first to Tony, seeing his surprised expression, and then to the man. Her mask momentarily shattered. She recognized him immediately and suddenly wondered why she hadn’t recognized his voice. The mayhem in her head tied her tongue until Tony’s eyes brought her back to reality. Placing her hand gently on Tony’s arm, she hesitantly spoke, trying desperately for a sturdier voice.

“Oh my, Anthony, Simon.” Tony watched as she stuttered through introductions. “Anthony, may I introduce Simon Johnson. Simon and I were students together at Valparaiso a million years ago.” Her speech flowed too rapidly. “Simon, may I introduce my husband, Anthony Rawlings.”

The two men locked eyes and shook hands again. Tony was polite. Claire watched his eyes, as if a switch had been flipped from light to dark. Turning to Claire, he responded, “I believe that is Mrs. Rawlings’s decision.”

There were other people waiting to speak with Tony. Claire excused Simon and herself, allowing Tony to speak to the others. She and Simon walked away. As they walked, Simon absentmindedly put his hand in the small of her back; she immediately stepped away from his touch. They sat at an empty table.

Simon spoke softly, “Claire, I apologize if I have put you in a difficult position. It is just that I have wanted to speak to you for a long time.”

“Like eight years?” Even she was surprised by her unfriendly tone.

“This is the third event I’ve attended where you and Mr. Rawlings have been. I finally summoned the nerve to speak to you.”

Remembering a previous reunion, she said, “First, Simon, tell me you’re not a reporter or talking to me for a publication of any kind.”

His blue eyes looked startled and then softened. “No, Claire, I just want to talk to you. It must be difficult not knowing who you can trust.”

She breathed easier. “It is. I’ve made a few mistakes I don’t plan to repeat.”

“It is a mistake I made that I have wanted to talk to you about too.”

She looked at him. He hadn’t changed since their freshman year of college. But alas he had, he was older, more mature, and more confident. His blond hair still needed trimming and his gleaming eyes were still as bright. She couldn’t forget the passion she had witnessed in those eyes.

“I have seen your picture so many places recently. I felt that I needed to talk to you at least once and explain what happened during the summer of ’03.”

They met at Valparaiso their freshman year. Simon’s major was computer programming while Claire’s meteorology. Living in the same dorm, they ran into one another often. Their mutual attraction blossomed into young infatuation and rapidly into romance. They were each other’s first love. The new, unfamiliar emotions overwhelmed them both. Simon proposed to Claire daily. She had other plans for her life, plans of a career and national success that didn’t include marriage. During the summer they visited each other’s hometowns, met the families, and did all the things young lovers do. Claire’s mother commented that plans can always be modified. She liked Simon. Their sophomore year was to include Greek life, parties, studying, and time together. But somewhere between meeting the family and classes resuming, Simon disappeared. He called a few times, wrote a few letters, and vanished. Claire knew that college had been a financial strain on his family. That was why, when out of the blue during the summer Simon received an offer for a dream internship he had to accept. An opportunity like that was unheard of for a sophomore. His computer talents exceeded many of the older students. The internship was in California and he couldn’t miss the opportunity. It was supposed to be just one semester. She waited for him to return, he didn’t. The correspondences became less frequent and then nonexistent. She moved on. Forgetting him wasn’t possible, but successfully compartmentalizing him was. Over the years life’s challenges and routines filled her consciousness, only sometimes in unconsciousness did he return.