Trouble finding Blondie (47 page)

“Francois, let me hold that for you. Which one do you want?”

“Strawberries, yum.”

Everyone around the table burst out laughing. It was one of Andre’s statements that Francois loved to copy.

The tray only had six smoothies. Amalie counted and figured out that they were one short. She grabbed the tray and went around the table, giving them out. When she arrived at Simona, she said, “Aunty Simona, you can have mine.”

The selfless gesture was priceless, and it brought Simona to tears.

“No sweetie, I don’t want any. It’s yours, but it was very nice of you. Thank you. I will have some coffee if this house has any?”

Simona looked at Monique, who was already preparing a pot of coffee, and Adam, to show her admiration. They were proud parents, deservedly so.

Everyone was getting full. Simona was sipping on her coffee, realizing the time was flying. In that house, the time always flew.

“Okay, ladies, time to open the presents. You too, Mateas.”

“Wow, IPHONE!”

“What?!”

“Me, too!”

“What? Amalie doesn’t need a phone at thirteen, Aunty.” Monique was getting up from her chair, which was never a good sign.

“Ok, ok, let me explain. Adelia is 14, Amalie is 13, and that means they are both teenagers. Here are the rules. You have unlimited minutes and texting until you are eighteen years old. When you become 18, you need to pay your own bill. The monthly summary will come to your dad’s email. He has full control over whom you call or text. Unless you establish some privacy rules with him later. Is everyone ok with these rules?”

“We can’t accept that, Simona,” Adam said.

“You have no say over the gift. You only have a parenting say to the rules, Adam.”

“Amalie, how about I get the phone, and when you go see grandma or have a sleepover, then I let you have it.”

“Mother!” Amalie was almost in tears until she realized Monique was pulling her leg.

“How about the other stuff?!”

“Those are just accessories. Covers and girly, sparkly things.”

“You are definitely nuts,” Monique said.

“Thank you, I proudly take that compliment.”

“And what do you have, Mateas?”

Mateas was being very quiet and had a worried look in his eyes.

“What is it? Why are you acting strange?” Adam couldn’t understand.

Monique jumped in, “You should just ask…’What did you do?’”

It was time for rescue. Simona didn’t think this was going to be an issue, but it was quickly turning into ‘a situation.’

“Everyone relax. Andre was talking to me on the phone when I overheard them talking about a new bike. Francois got Mateas’ old bike, and they were talking about a new helmet for the new bike. I only had a small suitcase, and since I couldn’t bring the helmet, he got money to go and buy himself a helmet. Assuming his old one is going to be passed down to Francois.”

Monique and Adam finally understood that it looked liked Mateas asked her for a new helmet, and now was feeling guilty. They exchanged eye contact to just let that one go.

“Ok then. When are we going to get it?” Adam was smiling, Monique was rolling her eyes. Mateas finally lightened up and started to talk about what kind he wanted. Before anybody noticed, Francois was standing on the stool, demanding attention. Stomping with his foot and arms on his hips.

“
Où
est mon cadeau?!”

Everybody stopped talking, but nobody understood. It happened quite often that he switched languages, and they tried to figure out what this smart four-year-old was talking about.

“Your present? Oh, Mon Dieu! I forgot!”

The silence was unbearable. Francois was still standing with his arms on his hips, going from ‘demand bossy’ to sad.

“Wait, maybe not?”

Sad turned into a big smile, and you could hear everyone’s sighs of relief. Simona reached for her bag and pulled out two wooden trains.

“Henry and Gordon!”

Francois was down from his chair with lightening speed. He grabbed the trains, one in each hand, but Simona didn’t let go.

“Pay first!”

Francois showed her the biggest smile and gave her a sugary, chocolaty, stinky, sticky kiss. Simona let go, and he ran off to show Mateas.

“
Où
est mo ....what? How did he say it?” Adam was trying to copy Francois.

The girls were laughing, and Monique answered, “You just ate yours.”

“I’m afraid so.” Simona was smiling, but her anxiety was rising. It was time to ‘fess’ up.

“I’m afraid I have to go...”

“Go where? You are not going to wait for Andre?”

It was just an innocent question from Adam, but her emotions started to show just by hearing his name. Simona put down her coffee cup, but her hands were shaking. It made an alarming noise.

Monique exchanged worried looks with Adam.
 

“Girls, go play with your new phones. Don’t call anybody, it’s too early still. Maybe grandpa,” Adam laughed.
 

“Mateas, take Francois to your room and help him with his trains. The tracks are under the bed.”

The kids left the kitchen, and Monique sat down. It was an awkward silence.

How was it? NOW or NEVER. Make it sweet and short. Stick to facts. No emotions!

“I’m sorry, I have to leave for business. I only came to get Francois.”

“Does Andre know you are picking him up? Are you not going to wait for him?”

“Originally I was, but due to new circumstances, I have to be in Paris this afternoon. Thank you for the coffee, and I’m really sorry I can’t stay.”

Simona smiled painfully and walked out to the hallway to go get Francois.

Monique and Adam were looking at each other, both realizing something didn’t add up.

“Call your brother. Something is up. I can feel it.”

Adam nodded in agreement and dialed the number. Monique left the kitchen and closed the door behind her.

Simona had to interrupt the precious train game, and neither boy was happy about it.

“We have to go. I’m sorry.”

“Go where? Papa?”

Simona’s knees buckled. THIS, she didn’t think about yet. How many times is he going to say Papa before it doesn’t feel like a knife stab?

“Where is your blankie, Francois?”

“I’m not going to sleep, Mama!”

“I know, love, but we need to take your blankie with us just in case you need to take a nap later, ok?”

“We are going to grandma later. Andre promised.” Mateas was like a bodyguard, supporting his little ‘brother.’

Simona didn’t look like she would change her mind, so Mateas left for support.

“Francois, which trains do you want to take?”

He picked up five trains when Simona figured that he would want to take them all.

“Which ones are your favorite?’

“Thomas, Henry, Gordon, Frank, Mathias...”
“Ok, perfect. Got them all. Let’s get blankie. We have to go on a plane.”

“We are taking a plane? Where are we going, mama?”

“Paris, mon cherie.”

“We are leaving for Paris without Papa?”

“I’m sorry, but we have to leave early.”

Simona never lied to Francois, not only because of right and wrong, but out of respect to his mature intellect.

“Are we flying commercial, or is Philippe picking us up?”

Simona had a moment of realization that no other four-year-old would ask this question, let alone have this lifestyle. But for Francois, it was just a simple matter-of-fact question.

“Yes, Philippe’s plane. And you can even talk to the pilot.”

“Raphael?”

Simona smiled. The innocence and the pure excitement of a child’s brain were finally coming out. It was something she would never get enough of.

“Yes, maybe he will lend you his hat.”

“Okay, mama, but why are you so sad? Are you sick? Is Papa sick?”

“No munchkin, nobody is sick, I’m just tired. I only flew in from New York last night.”

“I will take care of you, mama, until Papa comes home.”

Simona hugged her little big man and texted Philippe that they were ready.

Back in the hallway, Monique and Adam were trying to calm Mateas. They both had a worried look in their eyes, demanding answers. Simona picked Francois up as a reflex and walked towards the door. She only carried a little bag with the trains, Francois’ blankie - his lifeline and security - her phone, and her child.

“Tell her, dad! Andre said we are going to see grandma today. She is making us crepes.”

“Mateas, I’m sorry, but I have to go to work. I’m sure that if Andre promised, he is going to take you.”

“I want Francois to come, too. I wanted to teach him how to jump on his bike!”

Simona put Francois down and went down to be lower than Mateas.
 

“I would love to stay, but I can’t. Francois has to come with me this time, too.”

“Can you come back tomorrow?”

“I have to go to Paris… Do you know how long the flight is?”

“2 hours?”

“Very good, 1.5 hours. It’s pretty far. What is Paris the capital of?”

“France.”

“Excellent. So, it’s far, and it’s your birthday next week, right?”

“Yes, you can come back for my party, right?”

“I’m not sure. So that is why I brought you a present now…”

Simona pulled a beautifully wrapped box that looked like a book, wrapped in BMX gift paper.

“You can’t open it until your birthday. Promise?”

“I promise.”

Simona successfully deviated his attention to something else.

Adam and Monique were still standing there as if they wouldn’t let her leave. Simona gave Mateas a hug, and stood up, grabbing Francois again.

“When is Andre coming?” Mateas wouldn’t give up.

“He is still sleeping, I’m sure he will come for lunch. Are you going to make him something?”

“Lunch is at grandma’s house,” Mateas continued stubbornly.
 

“Aha. Well, I’m sure he didn’t forget if he promised.”

Simona was almost by the door.

“Where are you going with him like that? Francois has pajamas on. You can’t take him on a plane in pajamas,” Monique was protesting. It was hard to say if it was to gain time or if Monique was genuinely concerned about Francois’ clothes.

Simona hesitated. She didn’t care what he was wearing, and they sensed her hesitation, which was very unnatural.

Monique had her arm out as Francois moved towards her.

“I will get him dressed and get his stuff.”

“I don’t need his stuff,” another weird statement, but a great sign for Mateas.

“Mateas, come. You need to get dressed, too.”

“Mami, that’s a good sign. Aunty doesn’t want his bag. That means they will be back soon.”

Monique smiled, but she wasn’t convinced about that philosophy. Quite the opposite.

They all walked back to the kids’ room. Adam and Simona were alone in the hallway, eying each other cautiously.

“What is going on, Simona?!”

Simona looked at this man. He was the kindest human, brilliant in his own way. A unique
 
combination of dedication to the people he loved, with one of the highest IQ’s you ever met. She couldn’t, and wouldn’t, lie to this man. She couldn’t bring herself to talk about Andre either.

“Tell me in English. What did he do?!”

“Why do you assume he has done something?”

“Because every time somebody says his name, you look like you get electrocuted.”

“I’m sorry, Adam. I really am.”

“Listen, even if he fucked up, everyone deserves to be heard. You have to hear him out. Innocent until proven guilty.”

“You hear him out. I don’t want to hear it anymore.”

Adam grabbed her shoulders as if he was going to shake it out of her.
 

“Please, don’t do this, Simona!”

“I didn’t do THIS!”

He was so close that she could feel his breath, staring in her eyes, trying to change her mind with magical powers. She was looking right back at him with devastation and pain in her eyes. Adam saw it all. This gentle family man saw all the way deep inside. He couldn’t take it anymore, so he hugged her.

That is when he felt her heartbeat going through the roof, and her body shivering. He hugged her even tighter.

Simona felt his positive energy, same as when she got a hug from Trouble. When she can suck his energy, and feel safe.

The boys were coming back with Monique. Adam didn’t let go, and they saw the hug, too. When Adam pulled away, he was still holding her shoulders, stepping back slowly, as if trying to make sure that the fragile figurine in front of him would stand on her own.