Annihilate Me: Holiday Edition Read online

  “Dreams come true,” I said.

  “They do!”

  “How unexpected was that last night?”

  “Never saw it coming.”

  “I’m assuming more was said when you went to bed?”

  “Oh, honey, you don’t even know.”

  “Well, tell me.”

  “He thanked me for being so patient with him. He said that he’d felt this way for awhile now, but that he needed to make sure before he told me. He said that he didn’t want to hurt me if he got cold feet. We talked briefly about his ex and how deeply she hurt him when she cheated on him. And how that affected him. Trust issues were brought up. I told him that I had my share of my own. Then he told me that he loved me again, I said the same to him, and then we made love. Quietly this time. As large as that man is and as much as he dwarfs me, he was incredibly gentle with me. I don’t need anything else for Christmas. I just got the best gift a girl could hope for.”

  “I’m so happy for you, Lisa.”

  “I know you are, which just makes it so much better.”

  “Let’s set the table,” I said. “We need to make some noise.”

  “Where’s the china?”

  “Check the buffet.”

  “Got it. There are seven of us. You and Alex should be at either end of the table. We’ll put Blackwell on your left. Me on right. Tank next to me. Alexa next to Blackwell. And Daniella next to Alexa. There’s no way that I’m putting that one next to Tank.”

  “You can’t really blame her. He was something to see a moment ago”

  “Oh, he’s totally hot. I get it. And since I’m not the jealous type, I actually thought what she said was funny. And Tank’s reaction was priceless. She can feast her eyes on him. What girl wouldn’t?”

  While I placed wine glasses around the table, I got the whiff of something that Blackwell was cooking.

  “Smell that,” I said.

  “Smell what?”

  “The air.”

  “It smells like turkey and stuffing.”

  “And it smells good.”

  “What counts is that she doesn’t overcook it. She’s going to have to constantly monitor the temperature. If it’s dry, she’ll be unhappy. And guess who will let her know?”

  “Daniella.”

  “Bingo.”

  “Alexa will probably pray for the bird.”

  “I don’t even know if she eats meat.”

  “Never thought of that, though she hasn’t said that she doesn’t.”

  “What Blackwell needs to do is to wrap that bird in foil and let it rest for a good twenty minutes after she pulls it out of the oven. And here’s the good news. I stole a glance at the recipe she’s using. It says to do just that.”

  “So, she might pull it off after all.”

  “Here’s hoping.”

  * * *

  At eleven o’clock on the dot, Blackwell emerged from the kitchen and stepped into the living room looking as cool and as collected as ever.

  “Time for presents?” she said to the group.

  I was sitting on one of the sofas with Alex, Lisa and Tank, we all had been talking and listening to music, and I just blinked at her when I saw her.

  She was in full makeup, her hair was set to perfection, there wasn’t a sign of sweat or stress on her face, and she was dressed elegantly in black.

  I admired her outfit, which was sublime. She was wearing a gorgeous L’Wren Scott floral lace blouse with a Peter pan collar with ruffles at her throat; pleated, slim-cut trousers with quarter top pockets; and a pair of goatskin leather pointed toe Manolo Blahnik d’Orsay pumps. I knew the shoes well because I nearly bought them myself when she and I went shopping together two weeks ago. Obviously, she went back for them.

  Good for her.

  Still, I had to wonder. How in hell had she stood in those heels and cooked Christmas dinner in them? The heels alone were nearly four inches high. And after making dinner, how was it possible that she was still so put together? Nobody comes out of making a dinner like the one she was making without looking as if they'd emerged from hell. But apparently Blackwell did. That’s how she rolled.

  Out of all the gifts we opened, there were three of note, beginning with Tank’s major gift to Lisa. It was a ring from Cartier, and not just any ring. From my time spent with Blackwell, I now knew a fair bit about jewelry and because of that, I knew that what I was looking at when Lisa opened the box must have cost him a fortune.

  It was a platinum ring set with a large, heart-shaped sapphire that was surrounded by brilliant-cut diamonds that fanned out on five different layers, all falling away from the stone. When I saw it, my reaction was the same as Lisa’s—my hand went to my mouth.

  “Oh, my,” Blackwell said. “Well, then. So, we are serious, now aren’t we, Tank?”

  He smiled at her. “Very serious.”

  “Wonderful,” she said. “Just wonderful. I’m very happy for you, young man. Now, let me see, Lisa. Why do you look like you’re going to faint? Oh, my dear, snap out of it. Look what Tank just gifted to you. You can’t pass out on him now—get it together. That’s right. Put it on. And stop shaking. Yes, kiss him if you must. All right, kiss him all over if you need to. He deserves it.” She turned to me with a bemused smile. “As you would say, the ring is beyond beyond, Jennifer.”

  “It certainly looks it. Nicely done, Tank.”

  “Thank you,” he said.

  “Let me see it,” I said to Lisa.

  She held out her hand to me. “Can you stand it?”

  “I can’t. It’s amazing. Congratulations!”

  The second gift that caused a stir was Alex’s gift to Tank. It was a Rolex Yacht-Master II, and it was as masculine as it was glorious, with a silver and rose-gold band, and a beautiful blue accent that rounded the dial. It was so large, it wouldn’t disappear on Tank’s thick wrist. And when he put it on, I saw that I was right.

  “I don’t know what to say, Alex,” Tank said when turned his wrist and admired the watch in the light. “You shouldn’t have done this.”

  “I did it for a reason,” Alex said. “If you’re going to be my best man, I need you to be on time for the wedding. I can’t be standing at that altar alone, buddy. I’m going to need you there.”

  “Alex—”

  “That’s the reason, Tank. Now, there is no excuse if you’re late, OK? Not that you would be anyway, but now you’ll have no reason to be. You need to be there with me before Jennifer walks down the aisle. Consider it a selfish gift.”

  “You and I both know better. But I won’t be late,” he said. He looked down at his watch again, and then he shook his head. “This is too much.”

  “No, it isn’t. Look what you’ve done for us this year. Let’s be straight with one another. Consider that a small token of my gratitude for having you as a friend and as a colleague, and for seeing us through a difficult time.”

  “All right,” Tank said. “Thank you. I’ve never received anything like this.”

  “It’s about time that you did,” Blackwell said. “Let me see. Look how handsome it is, Tank. It’s just large enough. And I love the contrasts in colors, Alex. Very handsome. Excellent choice. Well done.” She put the palm of her hand on Tank’s cheek and said, “Just enjoy it. OK? Can you do that? I know it’s not easy for you to accept anything like this, but it came from Alex’s heart. So don’t overthink it. All right?”

  “Sometimes that’s difficult.”

  “But you’ll do it for Alex? And I have a feeling that you’ll cherish it. Am I right?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Then that’s that.”

  While the girls opened their gifts, even I had to gape when I saw that Blackwell had bought them Birkins.

  “Mom!” Daniella said. “These are impossible to get. How did you get not one, but two?”

  “I’m you’re mother,” she said. “I have connections. I’m Blackwell. I can do anything.”

  “Thank you so much. Oh. My.
God. And it’s the coveted bright red Hermes Rouge Indian Matt Crocodile Palladium bag. My friends are going to be so jeally.”

  Seriously? I thought. Just jeally? That’s a seventy-thousand-dollar bag.

  “Mom, I love it, and thank you for thinking of me,” Alexa said. “Unlike Daniella, I couldn’t bear owning a crocodile bag because the species is nearly extinct. But if we could have a moment of silence for the cow that died for my bag, I’d appreciate that. I know that the cow in question was at least used for its meat and its other parts, such as its hide, which means that its death wasn’t in totally in vain. You can see its life in this bag, which is beautiful. But I need to be thankful for it before I accept it. Would you all please take a moment and thank the cow for giving its life for this?.”

  We lowered our heads, and the moment was granted.

  Other gifts were opened. People pulled out dresses and sweaters, shoes and pajamas. Blackwell blew me a kiss when she opened the diamond and ruby necklace I’d purchased for her Harry Winston, and I blew that kiss right back at her. Alex received the limited-edition, mirrored Dior dress watch I bought for him, which he held up for everyone to see. Tank received the masculine-looking Breitling watch Lisa bought for him, and he leaned over and kissed her on the lips when he tried it on.

  “Two watches,” he said.

  “You’re so timely,” Daniella said.

  The last gift of the day was from Alex to me.

  It was a thin, rectangular box brightly wrapped in red with a festive silver bow. I knew at once that it was a piece of jewelry.

  “Alex,” I said.

  “I love you,” he said. “This is just a token of my love.”

  “What was last night’s necklace?”

  “Another token. Come on. Open your gift.”

  I opened it and saw inside that a poem was written on vellum. When I plucked it out, beneath it was a box from Cartier. I looked over at him and he said, “Keep the poem to yourself. That’s my private gift to you.”

  “Private?” Daniella said.

  “Yes, Daniella, private. The other gift, Jennifer can share with the room if she’d like.” He looked at me. “Read that and know that it’s just one of the many ways that I feel about you.”

  Sometimes, as with the love letter he wrote to me, he could be unexpectedly romantic. I read the poem to myself.

  “I Love You”

  By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

  I love your lips when they're wet with wine

  And red with a wild desire;

  I love your eyes when the lovelight lies

  Lit with a passionate fire.

  I love your arms when the warm white flesh

  Touches mine in a fond embrace;

  I love your hair when the strands enmesh

  Your kisses against my face.

  Not for me the cold calm kiss

  Of a virgin's bloodless love;

  Not for me the saint's white bliss,

  Nor the heart of a spotless dove.

  But give me the love that so freely gives

  And laughs at the whole world's blame,

  With your body so young and warm in my arms,

  It sets my heart aflame.

  So kiss me sweet with your warm wet mouth,

  Still fragrant with ruby wine,

  And say with a fervor born of the South

  That your body and soul are mine.

  Clasp me close in your warm young arms,

  While the pale stars shine above,

  And we'll live our whole young lives away

  In the joys of a living love.

  “Oh, Alex,” I said. “It’s just beautiful. And it says so much.” I kissed him full on the lips, and then I pressed my palm against the side of his face while I looked him in the eyes. “Thank you. I love you, too. More than you’ll ever know. I’ll cherish this.”

  “Let us cherish it,” Daniella said.

  I didn’t look at her or respond to her. Instead, I removed the box from Cartier, and safely put the poem between Alex and me so Daniella wouldn’t be able to snatch it, which I wouldn’t put past her if she thought she had the opportunity.

  When I opened the box, I unfolded layers of silver and gold tissue paper before I came upon the most glorious pair of drop earrings made of yellow gold, canary diamonds, white brilliant diamonds, and green sapphires. They looked like a profusion of wildflowers, each connected to the other by a single diamond before the earrings ended in a glimmering star. Unbelieving, I pulled them out and held them up to the light. Lisa, Alexa and Daniella gasped while Blackwell came forward and said, “Well, well. Now those, my dear, are some earrings.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” I said. “Look at the work involved, Barbara. And the colors. They’re so intricate. And delicate.” I reached for Alex’s hand and squeezed it tightly in my own. “Thank you again. I really don’t know what to say. First the necklace, then the poem, and now these. I’m floored.”

  “Then I succeeded.”

  “To say the least. Thank you.”

  “Merry Christmas,” he said to me. “The first of many.” And then he leaned over and gave me what easily was his most meaningful kiss yet.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  When it was time for dinner, all of us were suitably dressed when Blackwell came into the living room at exactly one o’clock, as promised, and laid down the law.

  “It appears that I have triumphed,” she said.

  “Really?” Daniella said.

  “Seriously?” Alexa said.

  “That’s right, girls. And don’t sound so surprised. Because of the fat contessa, we have our Christmas dinner. I’ll let all of you be the judge of whether it’s a success.”

  “If the turkey is dry, dinner is going to be a bust,” Daniella said.

  Blackwell shot her daughter a look. “I wonder if I should send you to the School of Good Manners instead of graduate school?”

  “I was just joking!”

  “Of course you were. Now, if you’d all take your seats in the dining room, I’m prepared to bring out the bird and serve the rest of the meal.” She looked at Tank. “Would you do the honor of carving the turkey?”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  “Excellent. Go on now, everyone. Find your seats. Pour the wine. I’ve got a bird to present, and I think a few of you might be surprised.”

  And she wasn’t kidding. When she came out with the turkey on an oval-shaped silver platter, it was golden brown, it smelled delicious, the stuffing looked moist, and the presentation was perfect—she’d surrounded the turkey with fresh bunches of curly-leaf parsley and sage.

  With the hint of a smile on her lips, she put the bird in the middle of the table, and then she kept returning with more dishes—a silver terrine heaped with mashed potatoes, roasted carrots cut on the diagonal, a pitcher of gravy, what appeared to be freshly made cranberry sauce and blanched haricot verts complete with shallots. After she brought out the bread, which was thick slices of warmed baguettes, she sat next to me, and I just looked at her in awe.

  “You’ve outdone yourself,” I said.

  “Mom, it looks fantastic,” Daniella said.

  Blackwell unfolded her napkin, put it in her lap, lifted her glass of wine, and sipped. “If one can read a recipe, apparently one can cook. Now, have at it, Tank. White meat for me. Let’s see if letting it rest did the job. As Daniella noted, nobody wants a dry turkey. I certainly don’t.”

  And it wasn’t dry. In fact, it was succulent, as was the rest of the meal. While we ate, I looked across the table at Alex, and smiled at him. He smiled back, and with a contented look, he popped a roasted carrot into his mouth. “Perfection,” he said.

  “It’s excellent,” Lisa said. “The stuffing is beyond.”

  “Mom, your mashed potatoes are killer,” Alexa said.

  “Thank you, Alexa.”

  “I love the gravy.”

  “I’m glad that you do.”

  “Everything is great,” Tank sa
id. “This is on par with my mother’s cooking, and she’s one hell of a cook.”

  “Thank you for the compliment. There’s more. Please help yourself.”

  Happily, he did. He carved another piece of turkey, and when he did, Lisa reached out and rubbed his back.

  “Would anyone else like more?” he asked.

  The definitive answer was a solid yes from everyone, including Blackwell herself.

  * * *

  Later, when dinner was finished and before Blackwell brought out the desserts, she asked for everyone to top off their glasses of wine.

  “I’m going to make a little toast,” she said to the room.

  “If I have another glass of wine, I’m totes going to do a face-plant in what’s left of my potatoes,” Daniella said.

  “Just have a sip, dear. Try that.”

  Blackwell stood and looked at each person around the table before she spoke, and when she did speak, her tone was dead serious.

  “Initially, I didn’t want to come to Maine,” she said. “I gave Jennifer a hard time about that, which I now regret. I was wrong about that, Jennifer. You were right.”

  I moved to speak—I wanted to tell her it wasn’t about who was right or who was wrong—but she stopped me. “Just let me speak.”

  “OK.”

  “Look around this table,” she said. “Look how fortunate we are. What a fool I would have been if I’d chosen not to come. I have my two daughters with me, which means the world to me. We were able to cook together for the first time. I have my adopted children, Alex and Jennifer, with me. One of the best, most faithful and courageous people I know is here. That would be you, Tank. Better yet, I’ve made a new friend in Lisa, and I’ve witnessed her and Tank fall in love while we’ve been here. I know how I come off, but I think many of you know that a fair amount of that is an act. But this is no act. So, if I may, I’d like to toast each of you before I serve dessert and we say goodbye to Maine and this wonderful house tomorrow morning.”