Trouble finding Blondie (40 page)

“Yes, I guess we all have been in situations where you were like an ostrich who stuck its head in the sand or simply chose to turn a deaf ear...”

“I would have to fight her on every public outing...”
“Andre didn’t have to fight. Maybe you should ask him. I’ll let you two figure it out.”

Simona kissed Anton, then Andre, and walked away…..

❖ ❖ ❖

The dinners were fantastic at both places. The Zatopeks were enjoying the mellow, homey atmosphere with fresh baked bread, salads, cheese, goose liver, rabbit, and fish. It was so colorful, tasty, and simple that they called it the best feast they ever had. Margaret was very reserved, but on her best behavior.

At the chateau, everyone was relaxed. The food was equally incredible, and despite Philippe’s dislike for Chef Bernard, he was impressed with his culinary wonders and presentation.

Arye showed up and spent a couple of hours talking with Philippe. He was a big hit with all the ladies, as well. Simona was a proud mom, and Arye was happy to see his mom so at ease, content, enjoying life.
 

“Philippe, you and mom have something in common,” Arye said.

“We have a lot of things in common. What are you referring to?”

“You are both so successful. And I don’t mean professionally or money wise.”

“What do you mean then?”

“You succeeded in creating a life full of love, friendships, magic moments. That’s it. You make ‘magic moments.’ You both have this giving thing down…”

“Magic moments? I never thought of it that way. I never wanted to be famous. As kids we used to sneak out to watch my parents and neighbors having parties full of celebrities, famous people, rich people, and I never really wanted to be one of them. I always wanted to be the host. I wanted to get to a place in my life where I would be throwing these fabulous parties with all the fabulous people.”

“Well, I guess your wish came true many times over.”

“Yes, my childhood dream came true. But my maturity taught me that this is just the glitter, not the jewels. The jewels are the real things, the real people who care for you, who are there for you, who have seen you at your worst and stayed.”

“Your vineyard weekends?”

“Yes, the real people from all walks of life. You strip them of money, fame, and titles, and what remains are just naked human beings. It’s raw, but also very real. Many times shocking, many times ugly, but when it’s soul to soul, it’s simple and easy. Your soul rejects everything that is not healthy for you.”

“What do you mean? Like people who have two faces?”

“Yes, when they come to a place where you have to be just yourself and they are not willing, or when their true colors come out, it’s as if nature took care of itself.”

“Aha, like they don’t come back because they can’t be fake there?”

“In some cases, yes. And some people simply can’t take it or handle it.”

“How many times did that happen?”

“Only a few, and only with people who really, really wanted to be part of my small circle. And when they realized what it took, it just wasn’t for them.”

“And your circle? How many years is that?”

“Some since childhood, some a couple of decades. In your mom’s case, it’s not evolution and growth, changing and aging. It’s a power source that came like a storm which we survived, and now it’s for life... I hope.”

“Wow, Philippe, if I didn’t know better, I would say you are in love with her.”

“But I am...”

Arye looked at Philippe. He didn’t laugh, didn’t make a joke of it, fully owned his statement by smiling, and holding his glass of red wine.

“I know you love her. She loves you, too.”

“Cheers, Arye. To your mom, to love, to friendships, to making this life worth the ride.”

“Amen.”

23

"FROM HERO TO ZERO."

EVERYONE WAS LEAVING on Sunday afternoon, except for the two couples who came from Hawaii. Simona was making arrangements for them to spend a few days in Barcelona, just a short drive over the border. The chateau was rented for the whole week, so they would return on Wednesday or Thursday, and Andre and Simona would join them for a weekend drive down the French Riviera coast before their Sunday departure back to Hawaii.
 

Andre’s family was staying until Tuesday night, so he would have another couple of days to spend with his nieces and nephew.
 

Sunday dinner was scheduled for the Zatopek family only at Simona and Andre’s house.
 
Philippe and the two remaining couples were initially scheduled to leave on Sunday afternoon, but in the end they changed their plans. Andre wanted to play one more round of golf with Philippe, and Philippe offered the Hawaiian couples a ride to Paris on his plane - a ride of a lifetime they couldn’t turn down.

“Simona, I’m sorry you spent all this time making arrangements for Barcelona.”

“Jada, I should have thought of that myself. I’m so glad Philippe came up with that idea. You should really not pass on the opportunity to see Paris in style.”

“How about going to Barcelona this weekend together instead of the Riviera?”

“Yes, that would be great. Let’s do that. Maybe I can change your tickets so that you depart out of Barcelona.”

“Don’t be crazy. That doesn’t matter.”

“Come on, any little saving hassle and time is worth it.”

“I’ll pay for the change though. Enough spoiling already.”

“We don’t do penny fucking between friends, remember? How about you buy me dinner in Barcelona?”

“Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

“You’re on. But remember, I do eat.”

“I remember, Ms. Gourmet.”

The chateau was extremely busy with all the departing guests, good-byes, and the staff taking everything down.

“Madame Simone.”

“Wow, that’s a first.”

“What do you mean?”
“Well, nobody calls me Simone.”

“Oh, my sincere apologies. Madame Simona.”

“I didn’t mind Simone. What’s up, Chef Bernard?”

“Are you sure you want to do this dinner at your house?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Now, we have an extra five guests.”

“Actually it’s an extra six. Arye is staying until the morning. Andre and Francois are going to drive him back to school. “

“So, what’s the total?”

“Let me count again… I believe it’s nineteen.”

“Ok, if it’s under twenty, it’s manageable. Your kitchen is much smaller. I will do the prep and dirty work here and bring it over almost ready to serve.”

“That’s very considerate, but you can mess up my kitchen. It’s really not just for show. I do cook, you know?”

“I heard the rumors. How come I have never been invited for dinner?”

“We will have to fix that soon, Chef Bernard. Can Philippe be your date?”

“You are evil. But I’m flying home with him tomorrow. I guarantee you by the time we land, we are going to be besties.”

“Very unlikely, Philippe is not easy by anyone’s standards. He is the hardest nut I know. Good luck.”

Simona was in a great mood. Everyone was leaving happy and satisfied. They all loved their little presents. Some were exchanging butterflies for dragonflies, sharing plans about where they were going to put them from a daughter’s room, foyer, kitchen, office, all the way to bedrooms. Simona had Chef Bernard make sandwiches for their short flights, packed with water and small wine bottles with twist tops for the car ride.

The Zatopeks came to the chateau to say good bye, and so did Arye. Simona was proud that she didn’t have to ask her son; he knew on his own it was the right thing to do.

The caterers and flower people packed all the dirty glassware, silverware, and dishes, loaded up the tables and chairs, and promised to have everything ready in her house by 5 PM. The florist insisted on bringing some flowers for the table setting as a freebee bonus. Simona was thrilled and very grateful. She wanted to tip him, but he refused.

Everyone was finally gone by 4 PM, and the Zatopeks decided to stay by the pool a little longer, just for the change of scenery. The dinner was scheduled for 7 PM, which meant that everyone was welcome to come for drinks earlier, but no later than seven. Simona asked Elise to be home with Francois by 6 PM. She told Andre to stay and hang out, but he insisted on coming with her.

“There is no ‘I’m going to show you something’ again,” she warned him. “I’m going to be busy.”

Andre pretended not to know what the hell she was talking about.

❖ ❖ ❖

Francois decided to be on door duty. He talked Arye into setting up a champagne station by the door, giving everyone a glass of champagne or orange juice in a champagne glass for the girls upon their arrival.

He was dressed in a fabulous stripy shirt with dark blue roll up sleeves and classy jeans. Arye was wearing a white collared shirt and jeans. They didn’t look anything alike, except for the blond hair and identical green eyes.

Simona was in tight cropped jeans, with her heels on, and an olive smooth collared shirt. She was doing her final walkthrough as she arrived to check the dining table. It was beautiful with magnificent tiny balls of pink, fuchsia, and lime green roses with extra petals on the table. The tiny candles were like little stars, and the whole setting was simple and elegant. She was very pleased.

She discovered the champagne station and laughed out loud. Arye assured her that he was totally blackmailed into it, and Francois proudly took all the responsibility and credit. She praised them both, and as she was squatting down to Francois’ level, Andre walked in and wanted to capture that image of all of them together.

They all sat down on the floor, and Andre took a picture of all the green-eyed, blond people in his life. The door bell rang, a sign of the first guests arriving. Simona and Andre rushed off not to invade the welcome committee.

Adam’s family arrived first to Francois’ delight. He finally had Mateas with him which relieved Arye from his glass duty. He stayed and poured all the glasses to make it easier for Mateas to just hand them out.

Grandpa Josef and Danielle arrived second, and Philippe and the Hawaiians were next. The last as usual was Anton with his ladies.

Francois was thrilled to take all the kids on a tour of the house, and after he showed them his room, they ended up outside, exploring their property, and all the hidden jewels.

Everyone was in a pleasant mood. Simona was on the receiving end of compliments about the house, almost to the point of being overwhelmed by them. The whole day was about expressions of gratitude, good-byes, and speeches of a memorable weekend. She was glad Brian finally turned to someone else.

“Philippe, I’m so excited to go to Paris tomorrow and get this amazing opportunity to fly on a private plane. It has always been on my bucket list.”

“You are very welcome, Brian. It’s truly my pleasure. I do have to warn you however that we do have the pleasure of our crazy Chef Bernard’s company, compliments of Simona.”

“What? What did I do now?” Simona asked innocently.
 

“I was just telling Brian how much I enjoy Bernard’s company,” Philippe smiled at her.

“Yeah, right. You stress him out. I’m so glad these guys are flying with you tomorrow. I was worried you would flip him out without a parachute.”

“I must have been talking out loud in my sleep,” Philippe smirked at her.

“Well, Simona, again, it’s good to be your friend,” Brian concluded. “Thanks to your connections, I’m going to fly in style tomorrow like the rich and the famous.”

“Does that mean you are going to keep me around for a while, Brian?”

“Definitely. I hope our next vacation is a package including a helicopter and a private yacht.”
“I’m so sick of it already! I feel like I’m suffocating. I can’t take it any more.” Everyone turned towards the voice; it was Margaret. She seemed to be in distress. Nobody was moving because everyone was lost about whom she was talking to and what she was talking about.

“What’s wrong, honey?” Anton was trying to figure out what was happening to his wife.

“I’m sick and tired of listening to all this gratitude and kissing ass bullshit. It has been three days straight. Enough already!”

Most people were still lost and had no idea what she was talking about, but all the Zatopeks were on high alert. She was just starting, and knowing her, this was going to be an erupting volcano. She was going to blow up.
 

“Margaret, calm down. This is not the place,” Anton was trying to calm his wife, but it was too late; she was on a roll.

Margaret got everyone’s attention which gave her the courage to continue. It became clear that Simona was her target, and Andre walked over to protect her. She was standing with three men around her, facing Margaret.

“I’m sick of your games. You are a master manipulator. Are all these amazing, educated, successful people really that blind? They don’t see your game? Your motives?”

“What are my motives, Margaret?” Simona was incredibly calm, but all the men surrounding her were totally tensed.