by Kailin Gow
How was I ever going to explain what had befallen her despite being well-surrounded?
“You look terrible, dear.” Michelle patted Annette’s hand. “Why don’t you go up and get some rest before dinner.”
“I think I’ll do that, Maman.” Kristine seemed relieved to be excused from the table.
“I’ll just go up to assure everything is all right.” I displayed the most innocent smile I could in hopes of reassuring the overprotective father that I had no ill intent towards his cherished daughter.
“Keep the doors open.”
Michelle let out a howl of laughter and winked at me as I helped Kristine up.
Upstairs, Kristine seemed concerned. “You shouldn’t have brought me here. This was a mistake. How can I possibly get through this?”
“We’ll get through it.”
“No, we won’t.”
“Just let Annette out here and there,” I said. “Just enough to guide you through this.”
“Oh, she’ll ruin everything. She might just come out and tell them what I’m doing.”
“No, she would never want to put her parents through that. Annette is strong and independent and would want to deal with this on her own and not involve her parents.” Though meant to reassure Kristine, the message was also intended for Annette. Having a pleasant stay here would calm Kristine and also give me a chance to speak to Michelle about the situation in a calm and productive manner.
“Well, she’d better not.”
“Get some rest.” I patted her on the head like an errant child, kissed her cheek and returned downstairs.
On entering the kitchen I found Michelle heavily engrossed in a telephone conversation while Luis looked up at me from behind his newspaper. I resumed my chair and tried to sip my tea as casually as I could, but the man’s scrutiny was unbearable.
“I assure you I have no ill will towards your daughter, Monsieur Binoche. As a matter of fact, I’m quite fond of her and feel just as protective of her as you do.”
“My daughter is a very beautiful girl, just like her mother. She’s smart, loving and generous, just like her mother. However, unlike her mother, Annette is still young and naïve, perhaps even a tad gullible.”
“I understand that, sir.”
“I hope you do.” He returned his attention to his paper, just as Michelle hung up.
Her smile was tight and uncertain and I suddenly felt I was missing out on something. She glanced at Luis, her eyes filled with concern.
*****
When Kristine came down an hour later she looked refreshed, but wary.
“Hey, sleepy head,” Michelle said. “I was beginning to think we’d have to go and wake you up at midnight like when you were a little girl.”
Kristine’s smile lit up and her eyes were bright with childhood memories.
“And we have a surprise guest in honor of your return to New Orleans,” Michelle added.
Kristine entered the living room and her eyes darkened slightly as she saw Joana, a family friend who had arrived during her nap.
“Annette, sweetheart,” Joana said as she set her tea down and got to her feet to greet Kristine. She gave her a tight hug, squeezing her with love and affection. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“Me, too,” Kristine said, though she was plainly flustered.
Michelle came in carrying a tray laden with golden pastries stuffed with a variety of tasty fillings. “Seeing how you can’t stay for dinner, Joana, I hope you’ll at least have a few bites.”
“Your cooking? How can I resist?” She took a napkin and placed three pastries neatly atop.
A conversation that revolved around Christmas traditions, New Orleans weather and Annette’s career took up the next hour and while Kristine seemed to let Annette take the lead on occasion, the effect was no less confusing for Luis, Michelle and Joana.
Glances went back and forth between the threesome and Luis occasionally shot me an accusatory glare.
“Oh, I almost forgot, Annette,” Joana said as she reached for her purse and pulled out a small box wrapped in silver paper and topped with a simple bow. “I wanted to give you a gift before you return to New York. A little something to keep New Orleans close to your heart.”
Kristine accepted the gift with skepticism. Her eyes narrowed far more than she should have allowed them to and her suspicion was thick, filling the room. “Thank you. I wasn’t really expecting any gifts.”
Luis and Michelle exchanged a concerned look.
A childish giddiness took over as Kristine slowly tugged on the ribbon. Her anticipation overtook her suspicions and she smiled.
I nudged closer to peer into the box as she pulled up the lid. A beautiful red cross encrusted with rubies lay on a cushion of satin. No sooner was the box open and she’d glimpse the cross that she dropped it. I discreetly glanced at her fingers to assure they’d not been burned, her reaction to the sight of the cross was so strong.
Realizing she had no intention of picking it up, Joana quickly swooped down to pick up the offending article.
“It is truly beautiful, Joana,” I said, knowing as the words came out that it was a futile attempt to cover up Kristine’s inexcusable reaction. “New York could never offer such an exquisite piece.”
Joana nodded, but her eyes remained on Kristine. “I know how much you loved the one I gave you last year and I thought you would like this one as well. It’s infused with holy water.”
The tension that took over Kristine was surely visible from across the room. Her hands clenched and she bit her lip repeatedly. Again her parents exchanged odd glances.
“Dinner will be ready in an hour,” Michelle said following a discreet wink from Joana. “Annette, I was hoping you would help me with the festive pies for the neighbors. I know how much you love making them and I’ve waited for you to be here before starting.”
“Oh, of course, Maman.” Kristine glanced at me and I tried to convey with my eyes her need to let Annette out during this time. If she noticed, she did a good job of ignoring it.
“I hear she’s well-loved in New York,” Joana said the moment Kristine was out of the room.
“Yes, incredibly so. Her public can’t get enough of her. She has an unforgettable voice and a stage presence that is rarely seen in someone so young and inexperienced.”
“She always had a charming way about her; an ability to draw people in.” She glanced at the doorway through which Kristine and Michelle had disappeared and brought her gaze slowly back to me.
“Evenings in New Orleans are always a treat. Have you had a tour of the grounds? Luis puts special effort into making it a wonderland well worth strolling through.”
Her tone was just firm enough to indicate that this was an invitation I was not to refuse.
“Have you known Annette long, Eric?” Joana asked the moment we were outdoors.
“From the very first day she arrived.” I followed her as she took a path that led to a small pond at the far end of the property.
She stopped walking suddenly and turned to look at me. Her eyes scrutinized every inch of my face and I felt she could see my soul. “I know men, young man, and I know how men can play with the heart of a young woman, especially someone like Annette. As strong and intelligent as she is, her youth leaves her with much to learn about the ruthlessness of men.”
“I assure you I have only the…”
“I have no doubt of your intentions. I can see the love in your eyes and I feel the depth of anguish you now feel for her. I only hope that your love is not simply for her beauty, but for the heart of the woman she really is.”
“She has touched my heart in a way I’d never thought possible.”
“Then surely you realize that it is not Annette in there rolling out pie crusts with Michelle.”
My breath caught in my throat and my eyes widened far more than I would have wanted.
“Yes, it’s obvious, Eric. I’ve no doubt that’s why you brought Annette here to begin w
ith. You knew her parents would see the change in their daughter, and believe me, it didn’t take them long to notice.”
“Forgive my surprise. You are all far more astute than I had expected, and I’m deeply grateful for that. Telling her mother and father what had happened to her was not something I was looking forward to.”
“Annette needs to wear this necklace. Whatever or whoever has taken over her, she must ward it off and this cross will help her. The reaction she had to it was greater than I’d anticipated.” She pulled the box out of her pocket. “I don’t understand what happened to the one she had. She wore it constantly. It soothed and comforted her and with the uncertainties of her new life in New York, I knew she kept it preciously on her person at all times.”
She held it out to me and I felt the weight of importance this piece of jewelry had. “You have to find a way to get her to wear it.”
Relieved to have found a way of helping Annette, I reached out for the red cross, but recoiled the moment my fingers touched it. Joana’s hopeful gaze instantly became one of suspicion; almost fear.
“Our father who art in heaven,” she muttered.
I was confounded by my body’s reaction to the cross.
“Hallowed be thy name.”
All my life I’d entered cathedrals without mishap.
“Thy kingdom come.”
Religious items had never been a problem.
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
And now I felt the fear I’d seen in Joana’s eyes. What was happening to me? How was Kristine’s presence here affecting me? “Perhaps it would be better to leave it in the box.”
She smiled, though tentatively. “I fear for that young woman, Eric, and I’m trusting you – Michelle and Luis are trusting you – to do everything you can to get her to wear this cross. She’ll need it in order to battle this entity and return to herself. She must be able to guard herself from the evil that has taken over. Right now she’s too vulnerable to it.”
“I understand.” I held out my hand and she laid the small box in my palm. Though tolerable, it still felt uncomfortable having it with me.
“Whoever has taken over Annette seems to have some attachment to you. I won’t question you on this attachment, but will only tell you how vital it is you send the present caretaker of Annette’s body to whence it came.”
“Yes. Thank you. I was hoping I would find help here; from her family; the people who know her best and care for her the most.”
“You did right, Eric. I hope you’ll continue to do what’s best for Annette… and that may not necessarily be what’s best for you.”
Chapter 4
“Annette, what’s gotten into you? This has always been one of your favorite things to do for the holidays,” Michelle said with a titter.
I entered the kitchen to find the pair in the midst of balls of pie dough, cherry filling and the makings for sugar cookies.
“It is. I’m just feeling so clumsy. I’ve barely cooked since I’ve been in New York and I haven’t baked at all.”
Though she fumbled with the ball of pie dough instead of properly rolling it out, Kristine smiled and seemed to be enjoying herself more than I’d ever seen.
“Here,” Michelle said as she sprinkled additional flour on the counter. “This should help you.”
“This is fun,” Kristine said as she rolled out the pie dough and it began to take shape. “I needed this. Just to relax, have fun and get away from the constant pressure of New York.” Baking was bringing out the festive side of her and she began singing. “C’est Noel, C’est Noel…”
“Well, I’m certainly happy to supply it, dear, but if you don’t stop rolling that poor dough, it’ll be too thin to do much with it.”
“Oh, sorry. I’ll start again.” She resumed her song and gathered her thinly rolled out dough to pack it back into a tight ball.
“Annette,” I said, cutting into her fun. “I’m happy to see you’re enjoying yourself, but I was hoping you’d come outside with me. It’s a beautiful evening.”
“Go ahead,” Michelle was quick to offer. “I’ll take it from here.”
“But I wanted…”
I reached for her hand and led her outside.
“Eric! What are you doing? For once in a hundred years I was having fun and you have to come in and drag me out here?”
“I think this wasn’t a good idea after all.”
“Of course it was a good idea. I’m bonding with Maman. I think we get along fabulously.” She smiled sweetly, but mischief played in her eyes.
“Don’t get too cozy. After dinner we’re leaving.”
“What? We just got here. That’s ridiculous.”
“I don’t like the way things are going. Besides, I heard you singing in there and I fear the lack of practice is beginning to show already. Your voice is getting lazy.”
“It’s not lazy. It’s on holiday. I wasn’t really singing. I was just… it’s silly kitchen singing. For crying out loud, I’m not going to belt out a little Christmas song with my operatic voice.”
“That’s no excuse. Don’t underestimate how high Annette has set the bar. Her public expects little less than pure perfection. We need to return to New York and get back to work.”
“You're exaggerating and you're being paranoid. My voice is fine and it will be fine when I return to New York.”
“Look, I’m just trying to help. You're the one who’s going to look the fool when you get on that stage and can’t hit the notes as Annette has always done.”
Kristine kicked at the ground in frustration and turned her angry eyes to me. “Fine,” she shouted. “Fine. I can’t believe that I’m here with you all these years later and you're still ruining my fun. Do you just enjoy breaking my plans and seeing me miserable?”
I grabbed her by the elbow and guided her back inside. Judging by the relieved expression on their faces, Joana had had a chance to tell the Binoches of our earlier discussion. With their suspicions confirmed, they looked to me to remedy the situation. Michelle smiled, her eyes silently thanking me. Luis’ gaze held heavier skepticism and I couldn’t really blame him.
To see his daughter in this state and have to trust me to bring her back couldn’t be easy for a man so accustomed to controlling each situation.
“I rolled out the dough, Annette,” Michelle said, doing a convincing job of treating Kristine as she had moments earlier. “All you have to do now is pour in the cherry filling.
Kristine clapped her hands and skipped into the kitchen leaving Michelle to gaze at me with an additional plea to help her daughter.
I nodded then sat facing Luis to bide my time until dinner was ready.
It was tense as we all sat at the table and I feared Kristine would come to realize the difference in the way Annette’s parents were treating her.
“I can’t remember the last time I ate such a sumptuous feast,” Kristine mumbled as she took a firm hold of a turkey drumstick and ripped a surprisingly large chunk from it.
“I’m pleased to see you enjoy it. I imagine New York doesn’t offer home cooked meals like you're used to here.”
She seemed to be a bottomless pit of hunger and as she reached for another helping of mashed potatoes and gravy, I thought the night would never end.
“We’re going to try to catch a flight back tonight,” I finally announced.
Kristine glared at me and for a moment she appeared ready to flick her fork load of mashed potatoes at me.
“It’s Christmas Eve,” Luis reminded me. “It’s going to be murder getting a flight back.”
“That’s right,” Kristine said. “Listen to Daddy. We’ll just end up spending the night at the airport. Might as well stay here.”
Michelle’s eyes widened with fear and her lips parted to argue.
I reached for Kristine’s hand and held her gaze. “I’ll get us a flight back,” I said in a firm tone that left no room for argument.
After sopping up every
drop of gravy with a crust of bread, tasting the cherry and mincemeat pies and drinking two cups of tea, Kristine was finally ready to rise from the table.
Michelle began clearing the dishes, obviously anxious to have her possessed daughter on her way to being cured.
“We’ll go up and get our bags,” I said, gesturing to Kristine to follow me up.
Instead of coming to me, she turned to hug Michelle. “I’ll never forget this dinner. I’ll never forget tonight.” She kissed her on one cheek, then the other and back to the first. “I love you, Maman.”
Michelle’s eyes glistened with tears. Though she had no idea who Kristine really was, Michelle gathered her in her arms and squeezed tightly. Whether meant for Annette, Kristine or both of these women lost in their own hell, Michelle exuded love, warmth and a desire to sooth away whatever pain her daughter’s body was going through.
“I love you, too. I hope you can come back again soon for a real visit.” She pulled back, cupped her daughter’s cheeks and kissed her forehead. “Now go gather your things before you really do miss the last flight.”
Kristine nodded, obediently and demurely; so unlike the Kristine I’d always known.
But the moment she exited the kitchen and came towards me, the wicked glare I’d come to know so well, returned.
Chapter 5
Annette
I could feel Kristine’s fury building up inside me and there was nothing I could do. Every rejection Eric handed her only infuriated her more. Her agitation crushed me more and more, leaving me weaker and discouraged. The frustration alone was killing me and I feared that every moment she possessed my body she gained that much more control.
Kristine sang with Eric throughout Christmas Day, but I feared her control of my voice wasn’t as it should be. My every attempt to aid her had been ignored as she insisted on doing this her way, but her lack of emotion was startling and she couldn’t find it in her to be convincing in her portrayal of Adelle. We would resumed performances tomorrow and only time will tell if she’ll be able to maintain my public’s adoration.
“You’re getting better, but we need more time.” Eric’s dismay was evident as he stared blankly at the music sheet. For all the hours we’d been in the music room, little had come of it. Kristine was scant better than she had been to begin with.
