“I don’t know,” he replies but doesn’t seem to care.
The two naughty ones come back laughing. As a good hostess, I go to see where Claire has gone.
She’s in the bathroom downstairs.
I knock lightly.
“Claire, are you okay?”
“No, not at all,” she replies. I can’t tell if she’s pissed off or crying.
“Can I come in?”
“No, please, it’s too embarrassing.”
This time they made it big.
“Don’t be silly, I’m coming in.”
The show in front of me is hilarious. I refrain from laughing because, after all, I feel a little sorry for Claire.
“I didn’t think you were intolerant to anything, or I wouldn’t have made tiramisu. I’m sorry,” I tell her as I take a body towel.
“I didn’t know either. Jesus, I’m sorry. It’s so humiliating.”
“Don’t worry. Here, take a shower. I’ll get you one of my dresses.”
While she washes, I go to get her a dress that I had bought on the internet a couple of years ago, but that is really loose on me. I like the fabric and have kept it anyway. I also find new underwear, still with the label.
I knock before entering again and give everything to her.
“Thank you, you were very kind to me. I don’t deserve it.”
“No, you don’t deserve it. Listen, Claire, I don’t know what Jeremy told you, and I don’t care. If you want to fuck him, do it, but at least have the respect to not show it to others. He’s my husband, and he’ll never be yours. Never. I hope they fit.” I point to the new clothes. “I’m going back to my husband and my guests.”
“Thanks, Hailey.”
I nod and go back to the porch with a wink at Andrew and Danny.
Claire returns shortly after.
“Oh, you changed. Why?” Jeremy asks
Claire doesn’t know how to justify herself. I reply, “Unfortunately, she had spilled some wine on her. You know that with those stains if you don’t act immediately, you won’t remove them anymore.”
“Aha, well, that’s better.” He motions at her to sit next to him, but she sits on a chair ahead of. And she mouths a “thank you.”
The evening continues in joy. When I start to feel tired, the guests leave.
Claire was the first.
As I get into bed, Jeremy says he’s glad he made friends with Drew and Danny.
“They are a really close couple. Who knows if they’ll get married?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Thanks for the evening, love,” he says as he massages my feet. “What really happened with Claire?”
