"You should get on," Elizabeth advised, wearing nothing less than her best while she surveyed the horses galloping around the yard. "It's nev-ah to late to try new things."
"I know," Claire watched as the jockey was good, very good.
"Ah-m too old for this," Elizabeth motioned with a smile, though Claire knew she had never ridden one, only ever bred them. "What was the name of that pony you had?"
"Red," Claire had to dwell on that a little. "Mother, I should be getting back."
"Ah, well," Elizabeth hugged her daughter at length while Claire found comforting. "Don't let the gridlock of Washington be an excuse not to call your mama."
"I won't," Claire smiled a bit but refused to laugh or show too much candor in front of her usually stern mother.
"Well, go on!" Elizabeth made to shoo her away in jest, sharing a wry smile with Claire.
Claire went over the notes on her laptop while the plane was in the air. With the staff cuts no longer a part of the picture, the CWI still needed an infusion of capital to finance greater projects, not that any were forthcoming without Francis' interference.
She could hold a charity event to raise money, but without Francis' guest list of senators and big wigs, they would need considerable donations to cover not only the costs but also turn a profit for the CWI.
It was middle ground for Claire, coasting and she didn't like it at all. What goal could she work towards if the extent of her influence had ended where Francis' began?
Claire returned to the cold, empty home otherwise filled with furnishings she didn't care for now the facade was slowly chipping away and made herself dinner while she read her latest estimate of her finances from her accountant.
With a deep breath she dialed on her cellphone while her nerves were on the fray as it clicked. "Adam," she began, halted. "It's Claire."
"Claire," Adam sounded sad. "I heard about Frank. I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Claire shook her head, for if she was too intimate she would start crying for no reason at all and she couldn't control herself. "Listen, Adam. I'm holding a gala and I was hoping you might come along, to present some of your pictures in person."
"Course," Adam was serious, businesslike. "I'll book a flight."
"Thank you," Claire hesitated.
"Claire?" Adam asked.
"Yes?" Claire piqued.
"It's good to hear from you again," Adam replied.
"You too," Claire said daintily, hanging up the call but still staring at her office walls nonetheless.