There was a knock at the door. Dinner was to be ready soon. Jason carefully helped me into a loose set of long pants and a short-sleeve shirt delicately kissing every part of me before covering it with the soft nightclothes.
“I do love the lights in here,” Jason whispered. “But my room is all ready for you tonight.”
“For both of us, I hope.” I steadied myself on Jason's good arm while I slipped my leg into my pajama bottoms.
“Nah, the staff won't allow it, but I have a couch set up in the hallway outside my room.”
“No, I already covered that issue. Pick a room we stay in it together. I won't have you sleeping on a crappy old couch. You need proper rest.” Jason smiled and paced the floor.
“How did you get Clara to go along with that idea?” Jason asked.
“She and I came to an agreement, but we need to keep up appearances, so she doesn't look like she's involved.”
Jason stared at me, suspiciously, “Very sneaky, I love it.”
The press camped outside the gates to the estate. We would need to keep up the expected social customs to avoid further scandal. Jason sat in a chair in the corner of the bedroom. He waited for one of the female staff to escort me to dinner before joining us, wearing a shirt and jacket that covered his injured arm. You could see the occasional flash of a camera grabbing shots of the family dinner from the gate a quarter-acre away.
We discussed the doctor's recommendations of rest and fluids for me, and the new medications prescribed for Jason's neglected arm wounds. The statement for the Press was being crafted. Lawyers to go with us to the press conference had been retained. The tutor that would help me wrap up my school year was starting next week. A trip into the city for my birthday at the end of the week was scheduled. None of the dinner banter mattered to me.
Jason patted my leg softly while we ate the meal and endured the flurry of information presented to us. After dinner, we planned to retire to the den near his room and listen to his newest lost music download.
This month's collection is from an artist named only Prince. His work was thought lost in the 2076 event. Jason seemed genuinely excited to listen to the collection. The den's location also provides perfect, unseen access to his room at the end of the night. Keeping Clara’s hands clean. It was almost too perfect.
AS IF
The day after my return home began as if nothing happened. I woke up in Jason's bed alone. He briefly mentioned an early morning trip back to the city. A full-scale attack plan on the Red encampments was put on hold when I showed up. There were several loose ends to tie up.
With my water coordinates, Dredge was assembling a survey team to investigate the area. There was mention of me joining the team later in the week.
The hallway and den were empty. The new collection of classical music had been put away on the shelf next to the previous edition, which still had its wrapper intact. There hadn't been much idle time allowed to anyone recently.
Clara greeted me cheerfully, with a fresh glass of synth orange juice and a note from Dredge. She let me know breakfast had been served early to allow the men to leave for their pursuits on time.
“We have a car and a driver ready to take you anywhere you like, Dear. I'm sure your mother would love to see you.”
“Thank you, Clara. That's a great idea I have collection of fruit seeds for her lab. Maybe I can go to the Eaton estate to see Beryl afterwards?” I asked.
“You will be taken wherever you choose to go. You tell the man where to drive, and that's where he will take you.” Clara patted the note from Dredge. “Read the note, Dear. I'll be back with some sausage and eggs. Coffee?” she yelled across the room.
“Yes, please.” Clara strode away with purpose towards the kitchen. Her energy was impossible to ignore, and somehow it alone wiped the empty feeling from the enormous room.
I opened the note from Dredge. It read more like a shopping list of his accomplishments for the morning. A statement had been issued to the press telling them of my intention to make a formal public announcement in the next few days. I was to expect the news crews gone off the front gate by the time I woke. Looking out the large dining hall windows, I saw nothing of the press in the distance.
‘Your birthday can be celebrated anyway you like. Jason suggested a casual gathering of your friends. If you are agreeable, please invite them on a day of your choosing. Let Clara know what refreshments you would like served, and an approximate headcount.’
I was to take the car and a driver anywhere I liked today. See my family and friends, keep myself entertained. If Dredge wanted to ensure my entertainment, he should have let Jason stay home.
Although after being kissed, licked, and rubbed raw over the past few hours. A good soak in the tub and a few hours away from him might be helpful. I enjoyed the quiet, beautiful space while I ate and planned my day. A few texts later, lunch was set up with my mother at one, and a visit with Beryl planned for after.
“Oh, you poor thing, have you tried the arnica cream I left you?” Clara sat at the table with a bread roll and the daily paper staring at my now green and yellow neck
