Trouble finding Blondie (32 page)

“Philippe!”

“He just chewed someone out over a dirty, unpolished glass, and the silverware has been steamed.”

“You really are into this, aren’t you? You will finally appreciate how much goes into real service.”

“I’m hooked. That cute girl over there even taught me how to fold napkins. I did ten of them.”

“Which girl? Let me go fire her ass.”

“We should sum it up. The kitchen is under control. The chef is amazing. A little loud and snappy for my taste, but everything is flying. The key word is ‘stay the fuck out of my kitchen!’”

“The service seems to be under control, too. So the only people I need to check on are the decorators and the musicians.”

“Yeah, there is some drama with flowers, but they are on it. Someone broke most of the vases, so they are trying to figure out the table arrangements,” Philippe was reporting the latest updates.

“Oh, I have a perfect solution for that. I’ll go talk to the florist; you go see the musicians.”

“Wait! Where is my pay?”

“You are terrible,” Simona grabbed his face and kissed him on both cheeks.

“That’s only for the kitchen and service staff. Musicians?”

“Nobody pays in advance. Nice try.”

They were both smiling as they walked away. Simona arrived at the florist’s van, finding a completely stressed out duo.

“Hey. I heard about your dilemma,” she said.
“Madame, we are very sorry. We will fix it. I already sent someone to get more vases.”

“I think I can do better,” she said with a smile. “I saw it last week when I was here. Downstairs in the cellar, there are at least eight small blue ceramic pitchers. They could be used instead of the vases, assuming we have enough of them. The whole set-up is silver and blue. It would be perfect.”

“You are a life saver. Let’s go see...”

They all went down to the cellar. Sure enough they found twelve beautiful ceramic pitchers, probably used for wine tastings. They started to wash them. They separated the ones with cracks, and tested them with water.

Simona went to greet the maitre d’. She thanked him for coming, asking if everything with the transportation and accommodation was to his staff’s satisfaction. She asked him to give the decorators and florists a couple more hours before they set up the tables, and to expect the guests to start arriving before 7 PM.

Her next stop was the kitchen. She had known Gerard for years. She had been to many parties where he prepared the food, and even despite his diva status, she really liked him. She got a warm welcome, as usual. Then she asked his staff if he was behaving and if not, to slip her an anonymous note, and she would fire his ass. Everyone laughed, except for Gerard who was giving her stink eye.

She had to smile to herself, remembering how Philippe refused to give him a ride. He had no problems flying students from Switzerland, but Gerard from Paris almost flew commercial. She had to really work on him, reasoning that it would create too much bad blood. Imagining every Swiss student rubbing it in all night, he would chop someone’s head off for sure. Philippe finally surrendered.

“I think we are good. What time is it?” Simona asked.

“4:20 PM…,” Philippe said.

“Shit! I have to go,” Simona suddenly panicked. “We have to be at the B&B at 6 PM for Andre to have an hour with his family. And I still need to talk to the deco people.”

“What about?”

“They need to decorate the pergola first so that the florist and the dining people can do the tables right after.”

“What are they putting on the pergola?”

“White lanterns. And some stuff hanging over the table.”

“I got that. What else?”

“How are our distinguished guests coming from the golf club without you?”

“It’s called an Iphone and GPS.”

“Nice. I deserved that one. Are they going to be ready by 6:30 PM?”

“They are supposed to be here by 5 PM. I hope no woman needs more than 90 min to get ready.”

“You may have some issues with the bathrooms. You only have six bathrooms for seven women. That is why I ordered two hairdressers and two makeup artists. If they want them, great. If not, no big deal. Just in case.”

“You are scary good,” Philippe was smiling.

“And you have been amazing. From now on, I’ll hire you for all my parties.”

“You can’t afford me.”

Simona walked closer and touched his face, looking in his eyes, “I couldn’t have done it without you. Merci.”

“You are late. You’ll get busted and blow this whole thing up.”

“Speaking of busted… you got busted for your I-pad and FBI.”

“I can’t believe he was a big mouth.”

“Quite the opposite. Ask grandma, she heard it.”

On her way out, she ran into the decorator, literary bumping into him. He was looking at a precise drawing Simona made for him, showing how she wanted each hanging dropped and where.

“Aaaah, perfect timing. You need to be done in an hour with all the lanterns and hangings. I hope you are using a staple gun. Otherwise there is no way you can do it.”

“Yes, we are. Do you have the actual count?”

“Yes. It’s 33.”

“So, forty lanterns and thirty three blue butterflies. Light blue dragonflies and crystal diamonds, right?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“I’ll try to come around 6:30 PM. Are you still going to be here?”
“Yes, Madame.”

“Merci.”

❖ ❖ ❖

Simona walked in at 4:50 PM. By now, Andre was fully warned not to ask questions or give anyone a hard time. She was beyond late, but managed to get a hold of the filming crew who arrived right when she was leaving. She just asked them to call her phone, and she talked to them on her way home. They received precise instructions to film the set up, prep work, and to be at the B&B at 6 PM to film the family prep and Andre’s surprise. Her brain was spinning in a million different directions until she saw Arye with Francois. “Oh my God! Welcome home! I missed you!”

Francois was hopping with excitement like the night before for his papa. When Simona saw him, she started hopping and clapping, too. It made everyone laugh until Patricia burst the happy bubble.

“I can’t do your makeup while Nicky does your hair. You are late, and I’m no magician.”

“You are right. And I’m very, very sorry. I’ll be out of the shower in five minutes. I promise.” Then she noticed Elise, standing up and turning around, “Wow. Grandma, look at you styling. You outdid yourself, Nicholas.”

“Well, thank you,” Nicholas blushed a little. “But Patricia is right. Hurry up.”

“Mom, are you serious? We need to leave so soon?” Arye asked.

“I’m sorry. I know you just got here, Arye. How about you take your time and you just take my car? We are going to have a drink with Philippe first. But you have to be there by 6:50 PM for dinner.”

“Thanks, mom. Much better. I feel like a long bath.”

“That’s not fair,” Andre protested. “How does he get a break, and I have to go?”

“Because he is not the birthday boy. And you better get ready. Your clothes are in your closet,” Simona frowned at him.

“Mama, I’m matching Papa, right?” Francois asked.

“Yes, love. You are going to be his mini-me tonight.”

“Papa, I have Hugo.”

“What? What do you have?”

“Hugo Boss.”

Andre couldn’t believe his son. Everyone around erupted in laughter.

“I love this kid,” Nicholas said. “Can I adopt him?” He bent down and picked Francois up. “How about a little haircut before mama gets out of shower?”

“Yes, cut off my curls, please,” Francois nodded. “I want to be like papa.”

“Hell no. That’s not what I meant. Your papa is bald,” Nicholas was mortified just by the thought of it.

“Bald is good. Don’t need a brush.”

“Kid, you got some logic. But we are not cutting your cute curls.”

“I don’t want to be cute. I want to be mankind.”

“You mean manly? You still have time for that. Enjoy being cute.”

“How about a little trim and some gel?”

“Yes, Arye uses gel. That’s manly.”

Nicky smiled with compassion for this little cute, curly man and his logic. Many men would debate before using gel when it came to masculinity, but he couldn’t take another illusion away from him. Simona was surprisingly out of the shower in 5 minutes as promised, ready in Nicky’s chair before he was even finished with the curly, little man. Patricia took Francois to get him dressed into his Hugo. Inside his room, she found the treasure in his closet and realized that it wasn’t just all Hugo. She became determined to break the kid into the fashion world he seemed so infatuated with.

She was impressed with his ability to remember and focus. He was like a living sponge, and she didn’t have to repeat it more than twice. Proud of her accomplishment and his knowledge, they walked into the living room. Elise sighed with admiration.

“Wow, you were not kidding. You are a mini-me,” Andre said. Nicholas stopped. Simona turned around to look at them both and nodded with a smile.

“Nicky, hurry up. We are running out of time,” Patricia was scolding, but still waiting for the big moment.

“I was wrong, papa. It’s not just Hugo,” Francois said.

“Let’s see now if your father knows what is he wearing,” Patricia said inquisitively.

“That’s easy, Patricia. Hugo Boss. I already know,” Andre replied with a smirk.

“Hugo is just your shirt. What’s the rest?”
“Is that a trick question?”

“Francois, you are on. What are you wearing?”

“I’m wearing Brioni Vanquish suit. Mama said only pants, jacket stays home. Hugo Boss shirt, Giorgio Armani belt and shoes.”

Francois was so proud of himself, and so was Patricia, giving Francois a big high five. Francois
 
couldn’t help but jump and clap. Everyone else was in complete shock at this kid remembering all the complicated names in such a short time.

Simona’s hair was finally done. She stood up to kiss her men before getting into Patricia’s chair. Arye asked Nicky for a haircut, and he was trilled to do it. Funky short hair styles were his specialty. Andre was holding his mini-me. They were identical except the eyes and the hair. They both had mesmerizing eyes: Andre’s were a bright blue color, Francois’ bright green. The pants were navy blue with tiny, almost invisible stripes; very slick in an amazing cut. The shirt was a steel cold combination of grey and light blue. The shoes and belt were black matte leather.

Simona’s makeup was done in 15 minutes. She wouldn’t let Patricia do a full make up on her, and she was rushing off her chair to put on her dress.

When she walked in, the silence was confirmation that the dress was a success. She was smiling on the inside, but pretended to just be picking up her keys until it was obvious that nobody else was moving. She looked up and said, “Either somebody produces a compliment, or let’s go.”

The room became noisy again with different versions of complimenting on her looks. Francois had a last word, “Mama looks like a fairy. Angel girl.”

“Yes, she does,” Andre said. “And she is mine.”

“No, Papa. She is ours.”

“Haha. I leave for two weeks, and you are becoming territorial? I better watch out.”

Simona waited until everyone was out of the house to hand Patricia and Nicholas their envelopes. “Thank you, guys. You were amazing. And I’m sure the rest of your staff, as well.”

“Wait. What is this?” Nicholas asked.

“Your pay. You sent two people to the chateau and two to the B&B, right?”

“Yes, but this is too much, Simo.”

“Look. I figured three hundred for the bosses, a two for each worker. That’s fair, no?”

“This is not Paris, Simo. We don’t charge this much,” Patricia said.

“I understand. But this is a very special occasion, and I want to show my appreciation.”

“Well, you got a make up on me next time,” Patricia said.

“Thank you, Simo. I owe you a haircut,” Nicholas said.

“I will happily accept…”

Simona was hugging them, telling Arye to lock up while handing him the address to the chateau.

“Mom, how many people altogether?”

“Magic number 33.”

“What? Who are all these people?”

“You’ll see.”

❖ ❖ ❖

When they pulled into the B&B, Andre’s confusion was visible. “This is where you housed Philippe? I thought you said he was staying in a chateau.”

“No, this is where we are having a drink before going for dinner,” Simona said, trying her best to stay patient.
 

Andre thought it was a bizarre choice. Still, he stepped out of the car, pulled Francois with him, and walked in. The house lady came to greet him, wished him happy birthday, and gave him a bottle of cognac. She walked him down to the patio. When he was on his last step, they turned the lights on, and everyone screamed, ‘SURPRISE!’