Chapter 5
Claire placed her rain shoes, toiletry kit, and makeup clutch at the bottom of her roller bag.
Atop them she folded two pairs of slacks, three turtlenecks, a nightgown, socks and underwear.
As she rolled the bag to the living room, the doorbell rang.
The Uber driver wasn’t supposed to arrive for another hour.
A dripping Marti, clutching a hot pink and white bag, stood at the door. She grinned. “Phone delivery.”
Claire took her coat and hung it in the hallway. “Thank you.”
“Just enter your account email address and password, and all your emails and contacts should automatically download. Do it before I leave for the clinic.”
Claire opened the bag and sat on the couch.
“Going somewhere, like France?”
“Yep. France.”
“No, no, no, no, no. I was kidding. Are you out of your mind?”
“I’m more in my mind than I have been since David died.”
Marti sat next to her and gripped her hands. “Isn’t flying to France grotesquely expensive? Your attorney told you David’s estate won’t be out of the courts until after January.”
“I’m flying stand-by. With the bad weather, there should be a seat available because of missed connecting flights.” Claire turned the phone toward Marti. “It works. You’re a genius.”
“Forget the phone. You found Sophie?”
“No.”
“Talk to me.”
“I only know that the Soltner vineyard is in Alsace, near Colmar.” Claire brought her shoulders to her ears and released them with a sigh. “I spent most of last night collecting the latest information on Sitosterolemia.” She pointed to the nine-by-twelve envelope sitting on the coffee table.
Marti picked up the packet. “There’s two inches of paper there. Ever hear of a flash drive?”
“I’m not taking a laptop, and I want to read through the information to see if there’ve been any advances in cures while I’m on the plane. David was a carrier of the gene that causes it. That means Luca has a fifty percent chance of inheriting it. I hope Sophie speaks English.”
Marti held Claire’s hand. “You know that meeting Sophie may bring to light things you may not want to know about David?”
She nodded. “In my heart I believe David was faithful to me, but as you pointed out, he might not have been, and if so, I will have to live with that.” The thought sucked the air from her lungs.
“But children die of heart attacks caused by Sitosterolemia, some as young as five-years-old, and, like David, they may not exhibit any symptoms.”
“Why not wait until after the holidays, when it’ll be easier on you? I could even come with you.”
“If something happened to Luca, knowing I could have prevented it, I would never forgive myself. It would be like losing David all over again.”
Marti’s smile was sad. “I think I understand. You’re very brave—and thoughtful.”
Claire shrugged. “I’m desperate. I’ll do everything in my power to protect Luca whether he is or isn’t David’s son.”
“You might be desperate, but it requires courage to take action. You’re going on a huge journey, and I don’t mean by plane, I mean an emotional journey.”
“I wish you could come with me.”
“The holidays are the most difficult time of the year for many people and therefore my busiest. I can’t abandon my patients, especially without any notice. You have a phone now, and you can call me anytime. And I want you to send me photos. Promise?”
Claire nodded. “Thank you for respecting my decision.”
“Like I could stop you?”
“You’re supporting me, and that means the world to me.”
I’ll always support you. Just be back in time for Christmas. We can’t celebrate without you.”
Claire hugged her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Call me when you get to the airport. I’m sure I’ll have thought of other things I need to warn you about.”
Claire laughed, walked Marti to the door, and held out her coat.
“Do you have a spare umbrella?”
Claire pulled one out of the closet.
“Be careful!” Marti hugged her. “Text me the name of your hotel and flight number.”
“I will.” Claire stared at her dearest friend’s back. She’d be careful, but how would she stop worrying about what she might learn about her husband?