Clair: My parents met in high school. In their junior year in high school. From what I heard, they were really great friends.
I looked at Clair and started writing it down. She eyed what I was writing but went on with the story.
Clair: But like everything in history, nothing good lasts forever.
_.-
Paul Delvey and future Mrs Taylor Delvey first met in high school in 1950. The second World War ended three years prior and left both Paul and Taylor in a dark spot.
Paul and Taylor's fathers were recruited to join the war where they both died. This led to their families to crumble.
Paul's mother knew she had to provide for her son, so she took on multiple jobs, and worked for many sleepless nights. Taylor at the other hand was of rich descent, but her mother, unable to cope with her grief, drowned herself in alcohol and drugs and took her own life a few months later.
Paul and Taylor met in high school. They were classmates and the two got along well. At first they just helped each other with their homework, but eventually they found solace in one another. The two were able to open up and talk about their pain, and they were able to heal each other.
For their friendship in high school, the two kept a platonic friendship. That was the case until their senior year.
Paul asked Taylor out to the school prom, as a friend. Taylor accepted and the two went together. It was at that night that Paul was able to see Taylor. Part of Paul fell for Taylor.
Paul however kept this a secret, and to make things more interesting, Taylor secretly felt the same way.
The two went to the same college in London and the two kept their friendship, while secretly hiding their feelings for one another. Sometime in their second year in college, Paul decided to confess to Taylor.
It was a romantic evening. The two were out late at night to finish some school work and were walking home. When they reached Taylor's place, Paul just let it out. Paul confessed to Taylor that he loved her, and Taylor confessed too and the two ended the night with their first kiss.
Paul and Taylor then started dating. They dated in their remaining years in college, and one year after graduating. Paul proposed to Taylor on June 23 1959 and the two got married that Christmas season.
Paul and Taylor had their first child, a daughter. Taylor decided to name her after the love of her life, Paul Chase Delvey. On March 22 of 1967, Chase Delvey was born.
_.-
I sat back on my chair after writing all this down. I looked at Clair, who stopped.
Clair: Not what you were expecting?
Harlan: I don't see how this connects to-
Clair: Oh it does! Look, A. if my parents never met, I would never have been born and B. I was getting there. I was getting there, relax.
Clair let out a chuckle.
Clair: Always with you agents. Where's your patience? I mean... Shouldn't all spies be when you have to infiltrate, build trust, those shit James Bond does?
Harlan: Fine, go on then.
Clair looked at me, her face went serious.
Clair: My sister wasn't exactly the happiest person you know?
I looked at Clair, interested.
Clair: My sister had a rough childhood. Yes my parents were wealthy, but it didn't mean happiness. My sister was bullied her whole childhood. In preschool and elementary school, all the bullies bullied her. Those things, it messes with you.
Clair looked from me, to her hands.
Clair: They say every child is born for a reason. The difference though is that people, it takes their whole life to find theirs. Mine was given to me at childbirth.
Clair looked back at me.
Clair: You do know what it is don't you?
I nodded yes.
Clair: Your brother, what is his name?
I knew I shouldn't tell her. She was a criminal after all. But part of me wanted to tell her. And so I did.
Harlan: Jackson.
Clair: Tell me, why was Jackson born?
I sat up. I decided to tell her.
Harlan: I really don't know why.
I looked at Clair, at her eyes. It looked as though she was trying to feel me, to connect.
Clair: I wish I could remember my sister before. My parents sent her away to boarding school when I was six. I don't really remember her well. All I remember was that I was supposed to make her happy. To make her feel loved.
Clair paused for a while.
Clair: As you know, I was born today. Well, on this day thirty-four years ago. Seemed only right that if my sister was named after our father, I was to be named after my mother, Mrs Taylor Delvey.
Harlan: Clair Taylor Delvey?
Clair looked at me and smiled.
Harlan: Nice name.
Clair smiled.
Harlan: What happened to them?
Clair: When I was ten, they died. My parents were on their way for a business trip when...
Clair stopped. I didn't need her to finish to know.
Clair sighed and slouched back on her chair.
Clair: I was raised by friends of my parents. Eventually, Chase came back and raised me from there. She taught me everything I know. Everything I know and can do, all from her.
Clair sighed.
Clair: I don't really remember my life before Chase. All I know are just things Chase told me. Other than that, I got nothing.
Clair looked at me.
Clair: My files aren't blank because I refused to fill it out... well I mean I would also refuse to, but it's like that because-
Harlan: Because you don't know.
Clair nodded.
Harlan: I think we're good.
Clair chuckled.
Clair: Come back.
Harlan: Sorry?
Clair: Come back. Next week. Let's talk again.
I looked at Clair. I didn't want to leave yet. I wanted her to talk more. But I remembered, I got something out of here, I needed to report back to May, tell her about this.
I gathered my things and stood up.
Harlan: Alright, see you next week then Clair.
I started walking to the door. As I reached for the knob, Clair called me.
Clair: It's Sinclair actually. Sinclair Taylor Delvey.
I turned back to Clair. I looked at her and smiled. I don't know why but I was feeling cool and suave, and had the itch to say it.
Harlan: The name's Brandle. Harlan Brandle.
Clair chuckled.
Clair: I know.