Undeserved Devotion

Chapter 6

“What happened? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost? Pat asks her as she makes her way back into the office.

Claire has barely composed herself and is still processing what happened. “Well sorta, he asked me to stay for dinner to talk.”

“Holy Crap! What did you say? I mean, you did say something, right? How do you feel about it? I think this might be good for you, a chance to get some closure. You should do it. I’ll stay close if you need me to. “ Claire sits in the closest chair and puts her head in her hands. “I don’t know what to do.” Pat pulls up a chair and sits next to her, putting his around around her for comfort. After several minutes Pat tells her, “You do know, you are just afraid.” Claire moves her hands away from her face to look back up at Pat. Finally, she nods. “Come on, at the very least we still need to get this stuff cleaned up.”

They get up and get back to work cleaning up the office. Pat doesn’t push her anymore but can see she is deep in thought and having an internal struggle.

Just as they were finishing up, Chris stepped in, “Oh, are you guys all cleaned-up already?”

Pat answers because Claire is barely able to look in Chris’s direction, “Yes, didn’t take much. And, I think we’re pretty much the last two left. Most everyone wanted to get home for the long weekend.”

Chris hesitates because he’s not sure what Claire has said, “So, are you two about to leave also?”

“Ummm…”

“Pat is, but I’ll stay for a bit.”

Chris breaks out into a big genuine smile but tries, and fails, to play it cool, “Great! Let me know if you need help loading the car or anything.”

After Chris leaves, Claire lets out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Pat doesn’t say anything but gives her a nod and smile to show his approval.

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Pat and Claire are taking the last of the boxes to Claire’s car. “Thanks for helping me load this stuff up. I want to be all ready to go for a fast get away.”

“Of course, but if you’re going to stay, at least try and hear the guy out.” Claire rolls her eyes at Pat “yeah, yeah..” Claire turned to go back inside but Pat stops her. “Really Claire, it’s time you dealt with this for your own sake. Good or bad, it’s time. I’m only a call away and will check in on you later.” Touched by the sincerity of Pat’s words, Claire starts to tear up. She really is terrified about how this talk with Chris will go. Pat pulls her into a big hug, “You got this girl.”

Pat releases Claire, gets into his car, and drives away. Claire watches him go and is filled with anxiety and she realizes she is not alone with Chris. Taking a deep breath, she turns to go back inside.