A Perfect Life: A Novel

by Danielle Steel

  Simon looked pained the moment he took the call, and disappeared to his room with his cell phone in his hand, while Blaise sat quietly in the kitchen, thinking about that afternoon and what it meant. She was sure it was nothing, just a moment between two people who were alone. But they weren’t going to wind up with each other because of it. And Blaise wondered if he’d go back to Megan when they both went back to school. The pull between them seemed to be strong.

  He came back five minutes later with an apologetic look. “Sorry. I told her she has to stop calling me. She calls every time he slaps her around. It drives me nuts. It’s why she wanted to leave him in the first place. I told her to go to Al-Anon and she won’t.”

  “It’s okay,” Blaise said reassuringly. “You don’t owe me any explanations.” She could see how upset he was by the call. She wasn’t sure if that meant he still loved her, or was trying to escape and having a hard time. And Megan didn’t make it any easier by calling him all the time, just as Andrew had done. Megan was hanging on to him for dear life. But not dear enough to leave her husband.

  “I won’t take her calls anymore,” he said as much to himself as to her.

  “Don’t feel bad,” she said with a sympathetic look. “I still take Andrew’s calls sometimes, four years later, although I’m always sorry when I do. It’s just an echo of old times, and not a good one for me.” But she knew it was different for him with Megan. Their relationship was more recent and the pain still very fresh.

  “I think she loves me, or she says she does,” Simon said, with a troubled look. “The problem is she loves him too, even if she won’t admit it to me. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t still be with him, after three years with me. Maybe she loves him more.” He was still trying to sort it out, although he felt better since he’d come to New York and had some distance from her and her troubled life.

  “Or history and kids,” Blaise said sensibly. “It’s hard to know why people stay together. Andrew has cheated on his wife for years, and probably always will. And she puts up with it. And I’m sure they’ll never leave each other. They like the fantasy of their marriage, but there’s not much there. Some people are willing to settle for that.”

  “That’s not enough for me,” Simon said, looking anguished. “I want the real deal or I’d rather be alone.”

  “Yeah, beware of what you wish for. That’s what I said, and now look at me. I’m alone, and probably always will be. At your age, you have lots of relationships ahead of you.” It made her sad to think about it, that her romantic life might well be over. It certainly looked that way. And in a lot of ways, she had made her peace with it, and told herself she didn’t have time anyway. Who could handle a relationship when you had a career like hers? She had neither the time, nor the energy. Her life with the network was all consuming, just as Harry had said. And nothing had changed. For one shining moment, she had believed in what she shared with Andrew. And he had made a mockery of it. It didn’t make her want to try again.

  “I told Megan I was happy here,” Simon interrupted her train of thought. “It’s true. I’d really like to find a job in New York for next year.” He sounded hopeful as he said it.

  “Then start looking,” Blaise encouraged him. “There are some excellent schools for the blind here. You should fill out some applications, and take a look at the schools while you’re in New York. You can even take Salima with you.” Blaise had no intention of keeping her in New York, once Caldwell opened again, and Salima had never asked to stay at home. She knew it wasn’t an option. But it was clear that Simon wanted a chance at something new, and Blaise thought it would be good for him.

  They spent an easy quiet weekend. And on Sunday night she flew to L.A. Pat Olden, the congressman who’d been shot at UCLA, had died without regaining consciousness. Blaise wanted to attend his funeral, and pay her respects, and then she was interviewing the head of the university on Monday afternoon. Afterward, she was filming a special with a hot new movie star on Tuesday, and returning Tuesday night. Simon had promised her he’d take care of everything. And she kissed them both goodbye when she left.

  “Call me if anything comes up,” she said to Simon, as he carried her bag to the elevator for her.

  “You know I will. We’ll be fine.” He smiled at her. And in the flash of an instant, she thought she saw something in his eyes that she had seen twice before, and then it was gone. And there was no doubt in her mind. She had imagined it. Mark was crazy. She was sure of it. She and Simon were just friends, and it was enough for both of them.

  Chapter 8

  Pat Olden’s funeral was as heart-wrenching as Blaise had expected it to be. He had been shot down in the prime of life, at forty-three, with a wife who loved him, a great career, and four terrific kids. Who knew? He might have been president one day. It was all so unfair, Blaise thought to herself. The first lady had spoken, and the president had sent a message to Pat’s family because he couldn’t be there. And Pat’s wife and children were devastated. The death toll from that day had reached eighteen, including the shooter. It was tragic.

  Her interview with the president of the university that afternoon went extremely well. It was a serious conversation about the dangers to young people today, and a certain hopelessness in youth around the world, due to the economy, the environment, and the opportunities that had dwindled for them in recent years. It was a strong message to parents everywhere to pay attention to their kids.

  And the next day she spent with the young movie star, which was a welcome counterpoint to her serious interview the day before. The star was outrageous, sexy, and full of fun, and had just won a Golden Globe at twenty-one. Blaise had asked her every question she’d dared, and the girl had answered them all and had volunteered some shocking information of her own. It was the kind of interview Blaise loved to do sometimes, to break the monotony of the more sober ones. And she had nailed this one easily. It was lighthearted, sexy, and the subject was outspoken and ingenuous. Blaise was pleased when she flew back to New York on the red-eye and fell asleep on the plane.

  Tully was there to meet her, and she went straight to work from the airport, just in time to do her segment. And as soon as she got to her office afterward, Simon called her to tell her everything was fine, and had gone smoothly while she was away. She hadn’t had time to call them while she was rushing for the red-eye the night before.

  “Are you exhausted?” He sounded concerned. The schedule she lived would have killed anyone. But she seemed to thrive on it. And she sounded happy about the interviews she’d taped in L.A.

  “No, I’m fine. I slept on the plane. Although that L.A. red-eye is always just a little too short. It’s better going to Europe.” That was a seven-hour flight, compared to five and a half from the West Coast, which was cutting it a little close for a good night’s rest, even for her, and the first class seats didn’t turn into beds. She knew the configuration of every plane that flew.

  And to make matters worse, she had to stay late at work that night, for a meeting. But for once, there were no bad surprises, although it annoyed her to see Susie Quentin at the meeting. She was on top of the world. And they were sending her to Paris, to do a special on French fashion, attend the haute couture shows, and interview the French president’s wife. All plums, although the fashion shows would have been a little lightweight for Blaise.

  She didn’t get home until eight o’clock. Salima was in her room on the phone, having already eaten, Simon had dinner waiting for her, and he gave her a hug when she walked in. It was nice to see his smiling face, and know that someone was happy to see her. It was new for her, and he held her close to him for a minute and looked at her.

  “I’m glad you’re back,” he said in a gruff voice. “I worry about you.” He was still holding her and hadn’t let go.

  “It’s nice to know that someone does. I worry about you too,” she said, and realized it was true. And she always worried about Salima. So much could go wrong with her health. But Simon had ev
erything in good control. And she felt confident knowing Salima was with him. And Teresa, the housekeeper, had stayed there too while she was gone, but had left that afternoon.

  She told Simon all about what she’d done in L.A. over dinner, Patrick Olden’s funeral, the interview with the university president, and the one with the young movie star. The diversity of subjects was typical of her life and what made it fun for her. He could see she’d enjoyed the day with the young actress. He liked learning about it, and seeing the excitement in her eyes. Even after sharing her life and hearing her stories for a while, he was fascinated by it. She talked about people he had only read about before, and they were commonplace to her. The exceptional was part of her routine.

  “I love knowing about what you do,” he said, smiling at her. But he knew the flip side of the coin now too, all the rigors that went with it. It was far from easy, but she loved the challenge, and rose to it every time.

  They chatted for a while, and Blaise finally got up from the table, and said she wanted to take a bath and go to bed. She was tired. She stopped in to say goodnight to Salima, gave her a kiss, and went to her own room. It felt good to be home, particularly with someone to talk to at the end of the day, or when she came home from a trip. With Simon and Salima there, dinner together every night, and all their comings and goings, the apartment felt like a home, for the first time since she had moved in. It was a different world, with Salima singing with Lucianna, and wandering around the apartment, and Simon cooking dinner every night. She was enjoying it so much that for the first time ever, she hated to leave home and go to work. Whether he had intended to or not, Simon had given new meaning to their life.

  The following week Blaise asked Simon what his plans were for Thanksgiving, and if he needed to go home to Boston. He didn’t hesitate before he answered. He had already decided to stay in New York. He knew she needed him there, and his taking time off would have been a hardship for her.

  “Who’s going to cook your turkey, if I go to Boston? I don’t trust you in the kitchen. In fact, I ordered the bird from our butcher last week. I actually had Salima do it. She was very pleased with herself. Do you invite anyone over for Thanksgiving?” Blaise shook her head. She either went to Caldwell to see Salima, or was on a trip. She hadn’t been home for Thanksgiving in eleven years. And this year she had a trip to Israel planned after the holiday. But she was going to be home all this weekend. It was a great weekend for watching football and hanging around the house. And she had tickets to a Rangers game for all three of them. She loved hockey, and so did he.

  “By the way,” Simon said, looking nervous, “my parents are coming to town that weekend, to see friends. Do you think there’s any chance we could have them to tea? My mother is a huge fan, and my father would enjoy meeting you as well. If it’s not a good idea, don’t worry about it, I’ll meet them out somewhere.”

  “It sounds like fun,” Blaise said easily. She was intrigued to meet them both. They sounded like characters to her, from everything Simon had described.

  Blaise was fiercely busy for the next two weeks, and the night before Thanksgiving, she and Salima went to church and lit a candle for Abby, who had always spent Thanksgiving with them in the cottage. It was strange to have a holiday without her. They were so used to having her with them. And when they got home, feeling melancholy, Simon was busy in the kitchen baking pies for the next day, all according to the recipes that worked for Salima’s diet. Blaise tried to steal a little piece of crust, and he pushed her hand away.

  “I don’t care how famous you are, do NOT screw up my pies. Or I’ll send you to your room for a time-out.” But when he was finished, he took an apple pie out of the oven and cut them each a slice as a surprise, with his delicious homemade dietetic ice cream that tasted like the real thing. He had made a serious project of collecting recipes for diabetics, for Salima. The apple pie was fantastic, and he had baked a pumpkin pie too for the next day.

  “When are your parents coming, by the way?” Blaise suddenly remembered the conversation they’d had weeks before. He’d never mentioned it again, and she wondered if their plans had changed.

  “Friday,” he said, finishing the last of his ice cream. “If that’s still okay with you. I promise I’ll only let them stay an hour, and then I’ll throw them out.”

  “That’s a nice way to treat your parents. I can’t wait to meet them.”

  “I want them to meet Salima too, if she won’t be too bored.”

  “They don’t sound boring to me,” she said with a smile.

  “I guess boring isn’t the right word. Exasperating maybe. Annoying. Eccentric. Crazy. My mother gets a little hyper at times. And my father just tunes her out and thinks of something else. It seems to work for them.”

  “What time are they coming?”

  “I told them four o’clock, if that’s good for you. I didn’t want to bother you with their plans.”

  “That’s perfect. We’ll have them for tea.” He didn’t want to tell her that his mother preferred wine or champagne. But he had already told his mother to behave. She swore she would, which he knew meant nothing. He was hoping for the best, and prayed it was one of their better days, when his father tuned in to planet Earth, and his mother didn’t lecture them all on some obscure subject no one cared about, like the importance of hydrangeas in a garden, or the beauty of white lilac, or offer to read them her latest poem, which would put them all to sleep. He had had some exotic social experiences with them over the years, but he was willing to risk it again. They were dying to meet Blaise. Even his father knew who she was, and thought Simon was very fortunate to be working for her, even for a short time. He had told Simon that he hoped she would offer him a job, since she could probably afford to pay him more than the school. Simon was sure she could, but the subject had never come up, since she wanted to send Salima back to Caldwell.

  Their Thanksgiving the next day was perfect, thanks to Simon, who prepared a delicious meal. He made chestnut stuffing, cooked the turkey to a flawless golden brown, and made tiny vegetables. And his pies were an impeccable end to the meal. He had pecan pie, pumpkin, and the apple pie they had sampled on Wednesday night. And he and Blaise watched football in the afternoon, and screamed every time their team made a touchdown. She was an ardent fan, which amused him. And after dinner, he played the piano and Salima sang, and at the end, they all joined in. They all agreed that it was the best Thanksgiving they’d had in years.

  “My mother has always been very dismissive about Thanksgiving,” he said to Blaise when they cleaned up. She had set a lovely table in the dining room they rarely used, with her best crystal and china, and a lace tablecloth that had been her mother’s from her trousseau. She only brought it out for holidays and special events.

  “Thanksgiving isn’t important to her because she’s French. So she condescends to celebrate it every year, but she always got creative with the food. She doesn’t like turkey. So we had ortolans one year, tiny little birds you serve with the heads, and the eyes looking at you. My brother and I hated them. So she served lobster the next year. I think it’s her rebellious spirit. I don’t think I had a turkey for Thanksgiving until I was at college and went home with a friend, and they had a ‘real’ Thanksgiving, instead of the crazy ones my mother dreamed up. One year she served trout,” he said, reminiscing as they did the dishes, and Blaise laughed as he rolled his eyes. “You’ll see when you meet her. She’s one of a kind.”

  “Our Thanksgivings were very traditional,” Blaise remembered. “My father always brought the turkey home from the butcher shop where he worked. It was always the best one, and way too big for our family of three. We ate turkey everything for a week.” She smiled, thinking about it. Once in a while she missed her parents—they had been dead for almost thirty years. Her life as it had evolved and was now would have been completely foreign to them. But she thought they would have been proud of her.

  They sat in the living room and talked for a long time that
night. Simon didn’t feel like an employee anymore. He felt like a friend, or a guest. And anytime they got together, they seemed to talk for hours. It was midnight when they said goodnight and went to bed. And Blaise was up early the next day. She was already in the kitchen, drinking coffee, when Simon got up. He always came to the kitchen dressed, even when he looked half asleep. He was respectful of her home. She had never seen him in pajamas or a bathrobe, even when she ran into him in the kitchen late at night. With Simon there, the kitchen had turned out to be the hub of the house. He was always cooking something, working on his computer, or Salima was hanging out. She enjoyed talking to Simon for hours too.

  He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down, looking worried, and she could see that something was wrong. She wondered if it was Megan, but it wasn’t. “I wonder if I made a mistake inviting my parents. They can be so nuts. And if they’re having a bad day, you’ll hate them. I do regularly. I was always afraid to introduce them to my friends, for fear of what they’d do or say. And they haven’t improved with age. If anything, they’re worse, and think that age gives them the right to do and say anything they want, especially my mother. And now I’m nervous introducing them to you. I feel like a kid again. I called my father and told him yesterday, and he thinks I’m nuts. Maybe I am.”

  “Don’t worry about it. They sound like fun. And parents are never embarrassing if they’re someone else’s. They’re not mine, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy them. Hell, look at the people I’ve interviewed in my life. Do you think they were all normal and polite? Some of them were really rude. A couple of them threatened to hit me. Some Mafioso pulled a gun on me once when he thought I had insulted his wife and insinuated she had an affair. I didn’t. I said he did. But whatever your parents do, it will be nothing compared to the people I’ve met. In fact, I can hardly wait.”