Trouble finding Blondie (46 page)

Marie was talking to herself, and Philippe was entertained by her skills. It’s magical to watch people who are brilliant, and who have God-like abilities.

“Born June 28th 1975, in Kladno…blah blah…, two brothers. Older lives in the US, younger Adam lives in Prague. Okay, who are you, and where do you live?”

“Marie, we only need his address.”

“I know, but this guy looks like a saint. Hmm, and a good looking one, too. Involved with a youth program, does charities, works for… Wow, he is smart, too. So, how is this nice guy related to that asshole?”

“Marie, he is really not an asshole. I like the guy... He is just an idiot I guess.”

“Good man? Hmm, we all screw up here and there. Is that the verdict?”

“I guess.”

“Alright. So, what now? He lives on the opposite end, so let me see the route from the hotel. You have Whole Foods on your way, and I have a connection.”

“You have Whole Foods in Prague?”

“Yep, you have not been here for a while. I just did a new security system for the owner. I will set it up. Done.”

“You are amazing. And I want you to know that I appreciate it all. This was way more than I asked for.”

“Merci. See you at six.”

Marie hung up and sat still. Is this why she does what she does? Is it really just a simple sentence of validation that makes it all worth it? Does she do it for that, or is it the satisfaction of performing miracles and saving the day? Or is it the making up for all the illegal sins from her past? The good deeds make up for the shady ways. God is on her side. She always feels it. Otherwise miracles wouldn’t be possible. She looked at her watch while dialing the number. It was 5 AM.

“I know what time it is. I need a favor.”

“Shoot.”

“I need you to call the person in charge at the store and tell him I will be calling him with an order.”

“What is it?”

“I need breakfast platters, fruit, pastry, cold cuts, the whole nine yards.”

“Your social skills suck, Marie.”

“I know. Thanks. Text me his name and number. I will take it from there.”

“Done.”

“Do you want to hear the bad part?”

“Besides the 5 AM wake-up call?”

“I need to pick it up at 6:30 AM.”

“You are brilliant at what you do, I’m good at what I do. It will be ready.”

“Good night then. Merci, David.”

“It’s morning!”

It was time to wake up Simona. She slept for an hour and a half, but she actually looked as if she had a whole night. The sleep did wonders. Her look was no longer absent-minded; she had determination in her eyes. Marie was taken aback by the transformation. Is it a survival skill she has? Is it the animal instinct of a protective mother?
 

“What would you like to wear?”

“Jeans and a sweater. I will get it.”

Simona grabbed her clothes from the suitcase. She noticed Marie already had everything organized and packed. She walked into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and tried to do her makeup. She walked out of the bathroom, and had that lost look again...

“Marie, I can’t do it. My hands are still shaking.”

“I will blow dry your hair and do your makeup. Come.”

“I don’t wear much makeup.”

“I got that. I also have some of my tools and makeup here. Do you mind if I use it?”

“No, not at all. I’m usually useless in this department anyway.”

“It’s actually my passion and a hobby.”

“Lucky me.”

Simona grabbed Marie’s hand and looked at her. It was a whole list of things, and Marie read them all. The powerful connection. The kind you only read about. The kind Marie never had with people, only with her dogs. She sat down next to her to be on her level.

“I’m not sure where you are going or what you will have to go through, but I’m certain you will come out of it just fine. Someone once told me…'You will get only as much love as you are capable to give.’ You see, I’m emotionally crippled. But you have a lot of love to give. And you will get it back. One way or the other. I promise you… one day, you will be ok.”

Simona was listening to this woman’s speech. It was like a third person. She was having this conversation with her soul, who was loosening up with every healing word. But her mind was going back to reality...

How strange? This creature, this stranger, with darkness all around her, with a pure soul and a good heart. What is her story? Why all the demons? What happened to her?

It was as if Marie could read her mind.

“It’s you who we have to fix now. Let’s do it.”

Marie was truly a miracle worker. Simona looked more than fine. Her hair was fresh and blow dried, her makeup was flawless and natural. The sweater was colorful, and her expensive jeans fit perfectly. The whole look was an extreme contrast to just a few hours earlier.

The car pulled into the valet driveway, and Philippe got out.

Simona lightened up and looked at Marie. She was smiling, acknowledging that she knew… She jumped the last two steps and fell into already open arms.

“Thank you, Philippe, for saving me.”

Philippe felt his emotions rising, so he turned his attention to Marie.

“You have outdone yourself again. She looks amazing.”

Marie was smiling, but when Simona turned towards her, she went through the whole experience again, and the makeup couldn’t cover the pain. Simona had no words. Marie was much shorter,
 
she had to bend down to give her a hug. The physical contact was freaking Marie out. Simona sensed it, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she held on even tighter.

“Merci, Marie. I will never forget you.”

“Neither will I...”

She turned and got into the car. Philippe was in awe about the whole scene. Marie had tears in her eyes, something Philippe had never seen before.
 

Philippe handed her an envelope.

“That’s too much,” she protested.

“You don’t even know how much is in there.”

“I have touched envelopes too many times to know.”

“You earned it. You deserve it, and you were right. This was different.”

“Take care of her, please. She needs love. Lots of it.”

“What do you know about love?”

“Nothing…, but now I do know that it does exist.”

Marie straddled her motorbike and drove away. She managed to send Philippe the address for the Whole Foods store, and let him know that she was going ahead to make sure everything was ready.

27

"THERE WERE NO TEARS..., BUT THE PAIN TOOK HIS BREATH AWAY."

“WE ARE HERE,” said the driver, and it felt like ‘now or never.’

“You can do this. You look great. Your son is up there. You love this family. There is nothing scary or bad where you are going.”

“I know.”

Wow. That’s what Trouble used to say to drive me crazy. Is it going to be like this forever? Am I going to see him and feel him everywhere?

“Simo...”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I’m ready. Please stay in the car, I will ask the driver to help me.”

Simona looked at Philippe. He was smiling with encouragement. She stepped outside. It was still early morning and very chilly. She felt her body shiver.

Please, let it be the cold and not my nerves. Focus. You have to look natural. An unexpected visit, but no big deal. You brought breakfast for everyone. You can do this. The kids are going to help you, they will take your mind off it, and the energy from Francois will be wonderful. You are not going to have to fake it. Hopefully…

The driver helped Simona carry all the trays and the holder with the smoothies. She only carried her bag and the presents. He left her standing in front of the door, and she waited until he walked back to the car. They drove off around the block. Simona was going to text Philippe when she was ready.
 

She rang the bell. It sounded like a church bell, announcing someone died. She could have knocked, but she wanted to wake everyone up, so she rang the bell again. It was an awful sound. It was giving her chills and goose bumps at the same time. Somebody was coming, and she heard kids’ voices, too.
 

Adam opened the door, clearly not fully awake yet, with full morning hairdo and sleepy eyes.

“Good morning.”

“Holy moly! My sis-in-law.”

“I told you not to call me that. I don’t have that title. And it’s sister-in-law by the way.”

“I can’t help it. I only have two...”

“Three.” Monique was yelling from behind.

“Oh crap, that’s right. So, three. One, that I see all the time. That one annoys me.”

“Hey, stop talking like that about my sister.”

“Am I talking to you, wife?! I’m talking to my sister-in-law.”

Simona was laughing and wanted to kiss him, but he was so entertaining that she patiently waited for him to finish.

“So, three. One that I like, but irritates me. The second, I don’t see and don’t really miss.”

“Adam!”

“What, it’s not politically correct? I’m being diplomatic here. So, for the love of God, woman, let me finish!”

“Haha.., and the third one?”

“Well, the third one is you. Title or not, and I like you the most.”

The last words were a whisper in Simona’s ear, finally giving her a hug. Simona was laughing.

“You are a clown, and your hairdo is just perfect.”

“Are you going to let her in?” Monique frowned from behind. “Simona, come on in, please. Don’t mind him, he didn’t take his pills yet.”

Simona walked in. The girls were up already, being a little shy, but Simona was waiving presents at them.

“Nobody is giving me a hug? Nobody wants these?”

The girls started running to hug her, and she almost lost her balance. Adam was going to close the door when he noticed the whole entry covered with platters and food.

“What is this?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, that’s breakfast of course.”

“You have always been a little nuts, but this qualifies as crazy.”

“Thanks for the compliment. I can only agree with you.”

Adam walked away, leaving the door open.

Simona was still in a group hug, even Monique came to join. They were all waiting to find out what Adam was up to. He finally came back from his office, back to the hallway with a camera and a phone. All the women started to laugh. He really was a clown.

“You know you should let us take a picture of you. Your hairdo is priceless.”

He turned around with a funny face and took pictures of them hugging and laughing.

“Daddy, stop it! We are in pajamas!”

“It’s going on Facebook, ladies. And this feast, too. I’m going to post this as a requirement for those coming to my house.”

The girls were laughing harder and louder.

“That also means we won’t have any more visitors,” Monique couldn’t believe the spread either.

Simona was laughing out loud, enjoying every second of it.

So, I will smile and laugh when something is really funny? I’m still going to be able to live as normal?

“Mamaaaaaa!!!”....the tiny voice with enormous powers. The power of love. The power of happiness.
 

The women let go of each other, and Francois ran through the hallway to greet his mother. Simona dropped down to her knees, dropping everything, including her phone, on the floor. She couldn’t say a word; she was just hugging and kissing him. As if she could protect him with her love.

Monique, the girls, and Adam were taking the food inside, bringing it to the kitchen. They left them to have their moment. Adam came back, took pictures of the precious scene, and when Simona finally looked up, she saw Mateas standing shyly at the end of the hallway.

“Mateas. Wow! You are soooo much bigger. Come here!”

It was another group hug, now with two tiny men. They didn’t look anything alike. They didn’t look related at all. But the love between them was brotherly.

All three were sitting on the floor, talking over each other. Francois telling mama about Mateas’ cars and trains, Mateas talking about how they went together for a bike ride. They lost themselves in time, and Simona wanted to stay in this Wonderland forever. It was pure, colorful, happy.

“Mateas. Francois. Aunty Simona brought breakfast… a feast to be exact. Come on already.”

Francois was up first, pulling Simona up. He was pulling sooo hard, and Simona was pretending that she couldn’t get up. Mateas started to help, too.

“Come on Mama, pull!”
 

They were so cute in their pajamas. She didn’t want to let go of that precious moment.

The breakfast was a huge success. Everyone was in heaven, talking, reaching over each other, like the Brady Bunch. Francois was overly excited, not knowing what to eat first, with both hands full, eyeing another thing that he discovered. He looked at one hand, than the other, not knowing what to let go of. Everyone started to laugh, but Mateas came to rescue.