Well, not too good. Claire knows that there is something going on

You follow Claire through the floor and up a stair. The first floor is mostly used by administration offices, even if there is not much to do in Cornflower Fields. Or at least you thought so until a few minutes ago. The second floor is used by the big offices of the mayor, the vice mayor and the head judge. There also is a long conference room. The sheriff has his office in the police station, but since there is a small courtroom in the community center, the city has its own small court. However, the current head judge is also the only judge in town and he should have been retired even before you left to study.

Claire opens the big double door to her office and invites you in. It is a big room, about as big a normal living room. A large desk dominates the office and there are bookshelves all over the walls. Only one wall is used for a large window. Despite this, there is a big plant in a corner a comfy looking sofa in another corner and a few chairs around a short table in the middle.

Claire offers you a chair and also hands you a lemon soda from a small bar in the wall. She than sits down across of you. from a document bag you didn’t notice before she takes some papers. The whole situation is much more businesslike than it was down at the entrance.

“Well, before we begin, let me ask you a simple question,” Claire says still friendly, “why did you decided to come back to this town? You were very eager to leave and work in a larger city. What has changed?”

“I … what do you mean?” you ask surprised about the sudden chance of topic, “didn’t my mother told you already why I’m back?”

“Save it!” Claire replies suddenly very strict, “I know you didn’t tell her everything, which is fine by me. I know you, Max. Better than you probably believe. Because some years ago, I was just like you.”

You know what she means by this. You listened to her a lot when you were still a child. Claire was always your role model. And your lives have some similarities. She was born in Cornflower Fields and left to study law in the same city you studies medicine. It was not easy for her. She was not from an academic family and in her youth, woman in business were still rather rare. But she managed to pass all exams and for almost ten years she lived the life you dreamed about. Working in her dream job, earning a lot of money and living free. Working with activists, criminals and big companies, having regularly changing romantic partners and going to fancy parties with other stars of her branch.

Coming back to this small town with limited career options was the last thing both of you wanted and it is clear something serious must have happened to both of you to reconsider it. In Claire’s case it was getting pregnant with Eve. She made a lot of enemies as a lawyer. Some were dangerous, others influential. Leaving her dream life and living in her save hometown with her daughter and husband was her choice and she claims to never have regretted it. Still, when she says she knows your situation, you believe her.

“Listen, {male_name}” Claire says calm after you hesitate for too long, “I’m not here to blame you for anything. But I need you to be honest with me. I have plans for this town. Big plans which could improve the lives of many people here. And if you want it or not, you are an important part of it. But my situation is not as stable as I would like it to be. I need to know if I can count on you or if you are a thread. Help me and I promise I will do my best to support you in your plans too.”

You still hesitate. You could tell her the truth and probably make her an important ally. But it is also clear, that nothing stays hidden for long in such a small town. Even with her being a former lawyer, something will slip. If you tell her the truth, sooner or later everybody will know about it to some degree and this could worsen your relationship with some people. Especially the woman your age.