Bequeathed

Chapter Ten: An Old Friend

It’s been three days since they’ve left the police station and Claire has been holding up in her room ever since. She showers in the master bath and slips out for food in the early hours of the morning when she knows William is asleep. He checks on her often, but Claire has learned her lesson. She keeps the door locked from the inside so that William can’t enter. Since it is Claire’s responsibility to keep herself out of harm’s way, she will remain where she’s sure she's safe.

“Claire…”

Another day of ignoring William.

“You can’t stay in there forever,” William says. “You need fresh air, sunshine, food. You need to live.”

Claire pulls her sheet up to her neck. The tv is on…celebrity gossip...sightings. She vaguely pays attention.

Musc filters into the room. RnB. She wouldn’t peg William for more of a retired rock fan.

“Consider yourself under siege, Claire White.” William turns up the volume… Claire rolls her eyes. The music cuts off. It must have dawned on William how inappropriate the lyrics were considering present circumstances. She isn’t locked away because she’s heartbroken. She’s locked in her room because someone is trying to hurt her.

“Look, Claire, you can’t let this person control your life.”

Claire rolls over, looks up at the ceiling, at nothing in particular.

“Have you eaten? I know where to get the best burgers in the city. I won’t leave until you agree to come with me.” William knocks again. “I have a whole playlist. I’m prepared to stand here all day.”

Claire rolls out of bed. She ran out of food. She won’t be able to do another run to the kitchen until William goes to bed. What if he decides to camp outside her door? Claire sits at the edge of her bed, sighs. A burger does sound good.

Claire pulls her hair into a messy updo and slides into blush-colored sweatpants and hoodie. Claire pulls the hood over her head; the hood traps her updo, strapping to her head. Claire pulls the hood off, loosens the updo, allowing her hair to fall to her shoulders. She pulls the hood back over her head, fixes her hair so that it touches her collar bones. She slips into her white jogging shoes, grabs her white-framed sunglasses from her vanity, a black tote from her closet.

When Claire opens the door, William meets her with a wide grin.

“Be ready to have your taste buds blown away,” William says. “I promise you won’t regret this.

When William parks and they start walking the street to the burger spot, Claire immediately regrets it. William reaches for her hand. He must sense her apprehension. Truthfully, she is worried about more than being watched. Rob works in this vicinity. Claire fears being watched; she dreads running into Rob. She isn’t emotionally prepared for either encounter.

They slip into a booth at the far end of the diner - Claire’s request. Claire orders the double patty Best Burger with extra cheese. Two beef patties, a layer of bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese.

“I didn’t expect you to put that away,” William says when Claire is almost through with her burger. Claire dips a fry into her chocolate milkshake. “You’re right, this is the best burger in the city.” She stuffs the fry in her mouth, chews, and swallows. “Or maybe it’s been too long since I’ve eaten a burger.”

“I bet,” William says. “I had you pegged as a salad and sparkling water girl the moment I met you.”

“It’s healthier.”

“Burgers make me happier.” William chortles. “I’m glad you decided to come.”

Claire nods, sips her shake. She’s very happy she came with William but admitting that to him feels like surrendering something that William hasn’t earned, not yet.

They finish their meal in silence, William watches Claire intently as she finishes off her burger, fries, and drains her shake. He smiles the entire time and refuses to give her the check when the waitress brings it over.

“It’s my treat.” William pays, leaves a fifty-dollar tip, then leads Claire out of the diner. His hand stays on the small of her back until they reach the sidewalk. Once outside the diner, he reaches for Claire’s hand. Claire laces her fingers through his without objection.

On the way to the car, Claire spots Simone-from-work, Rob’s coworker who Claire never liked because Claire knew Simone was trying to sink her well-manicured red claws into Rob. Claire unlaces her hand from William’s and pulls her hood up, all the way forward, trying to get the hood to meet her glasses. Claire draws the strings of the hood, concealing her face and hair.

“Claire? Is that you?”

Claire is too late. Simone is skipping across the street and waving to her.

“s**t,” Claire mutters.

“Who’s that?” William asks.

“Nobody import-”

“I thought that was you,” Simone is standing in front of Claire; she is absolutely beaming with the light of a woman who no longer has to compete for the attention of the man she wants.

“I’m sorry to hear about what happened to you and Rob.”

And there it is…Simone is here to gloat.

“It happens.” Claire shrugs, tries to make her nonchalance convincing. “Well, it was nice to see you, Simone, but we have to go.” Claire uses her head to motion William forward.

“And who is this handsome fellow?” Simone extends a hand to William. “I’m Simone.”

“I’m Claire’s husband,” William says.

“Husband?” Simone’s face is a mixture of pure delight and confusion.

“Bye, Simone.” Claire grabs William’s arm and pulls him down the block. She drops her body into the passenger’s seat when William opens her door.

“Did I do something wrong?” William asks. “We had a great time…”

“You didn’t need to tell her anything.”

“She was trying to flirt with me…while you were right there. Should I have flirted back?”

“No. If you wanted to…I don’t know…I don’t care. You shouldn’t have told her that we’re married.”

“We are married.”

“No, we aren’t,” Claire says. “Well, only on paper,” she corrects. “I’m sure she’s going to run her mouth to Rob.”

“Oh, so this is about your ex? Don’t worry, he’ll have you back soon.” William speeds out of the parking spot; the car screeches from the acceleration.

Claire wants to ask William to slow down; she also doesn’t wish to speak with him. Simone didn’t need to know her business. She will spin the tale and weasel her way to Rob’s heart. Claire will have to learn to bear the thought of Rob being with someone else. And she will. As long as that someone isn’t Simone-from-work. Claire is vexed by the thought of Rob and Simone, but something else is bothering her. Throughout their relationship, Rob seemed completely oblivious to Simone’s advances. He never gave Claire the security of putting Simone in her place. According to Rob, only his actions and his intentions toward Claire mattered. Rob made it sound good at the time; William clearly stating his position as Claire’s husband, sounded better - even if that marriage is a sham, it sounded better. William is giving Claire things that she needs, things that satisfy her. This is just a business arrangement; she can’t get attached.