Duplicity - A True Story of Crime and Deceit by Paul Goldman (surface ebook reader txt) 📗

“Johnny, look at that!” Ishouted, but Johnny had already caught sight of them too and wasexcitingly bouncing up and down in his car seat. What else could bewaiting for us? We hurried through the front door, and found ourhome unrecognizable. The entire downstairs, every possible nook andcranny, was filled with some kind of Hanukkah or Christmasdecoration, resulting in a complete holiday transformation.Overwhelmed by all the things to look at, I slowly made my wayupstairs in search of Audrey, wondering if I might instead findMrs. Claus.

I found Audrey and her daughter Annie in ourroom putting the finishing touches on their holiday outfits. Istood in the doorway watching them preen, like mother, likedaughter, in front of the full length mirror in the closetdoor.

“Everything looksbeautiful, honey,” I said, not wanting to disturb the finalpreparations. Audrey and Annie both popped their heads up insurprise as I made my way toward them. Annie smiled a thank youbefore skipping out of the room, while I took Audrey in my arms andkissed her deeply. “You’ve done a fantastic job,” I said, holdingher in close, not wanting to let her go. Unfortunately, thedoorbell decided to interrupt us. We headed out of the room, armand arm, and down the stairs.

I caught a glimpse of Davey opening the doorand then heard the voice of Mr. Allen boom, “Happy Hanukah, kids!Did you know that Hanukah comes from… ”

And that was all I would hear. Thankfully,Audrey remembered the egg nog as well.

My father and stepmotherHelen arrived shortly after the Allens, and the night became a blurof presents, boisterous storytelling, and complete happiness.Audrey was a vision and I relished in the charm she showed and theconsideration she showed to my father, whom I was always eager toimpress. When the night ended, I walked my father and Helen totheir car, filled with pride and exuberance.

“It was really nice,wasn’t it? And Audrey did everything-- the food, the decorations,all of it.” I was floating, buoyed by the egg nog and the imaginarysnow Audrey had sprinkled along the walk.

“Yes, very nice,” myfather remarked, grinning as he glanced at the snowmen smiling backat us.

“How is it going with youtwo?” Helen asked, with a tilt of her head. Why did women always dothat?

“Us? We’re great!” and Imeant it. I felt wonderful. “I mean, I’m not thrilled about havinga part-time marriage, but what can you do? The time we spendtogether is great and I just love her.” We stopped when we reachedtheir car, and I watched my father open Helen’s door.

Turning to me before she stepped in, Helenkissed my cheek, rubbed my shoulder, and said, “If you’re happy,well, that’s all that counts.”

* * *

Compared to Hanukkah, New Year's Eve provedfar from perfect. Audrey was due back from Cocoa Beach around six.I prepared a special dinner for us from scratch. When six o'clockcame and went with no Audrey, I dialed her cell phone, to make sureshe was in route. “Hi honey, just making sure you're on your way.Getting close to home?”

“No, I haven't leftyet.”

“Huh? Well, please tellyour grandmother that you have to leave to spend New Year's Evewith your husband. I'll put dinner in the oven now, and I've gotwine, candles, and roses from the garden. You're the onlyingredient missing to our wonderful evening.”

“It sounds great. We'vehad a rough day, but I'll tell Grandma that I have to leave. I'llcall you in an hour, when I'm about halfway home, okay?”

I put the wine back in the refrigerator, andpassed the time with some paperwork. Resisting the urge to actuallyset an alarm clock to signal the hour’s end, I watched the clockconstantly, hoping for the best. An hour passed and Audrey didn'tcall. So, I decided to call her.

“Hi honey, I didn't getyour call, so I'm calling to make sure everything's okay,” I said,walking into the kitchen to check on the duck.

“Yeah, everything's fine.I'm getting ready to leave now,” she said hurriedly. I could hearher rummaging through her purse in search of what I presumed wereher keys.

“You mean you haven't leftyet? Why not?”

“No, but I'm leaving now.Call me in an hour.”

“Wonderful,” I cheered, asI turned the heat down in the oven. “Then I'll see you in twohours! I hope you’re hungry.”

“Right, okay,” she said,sounding distracted. I decided I’d missed the opportunity to giveher the perfect present: one of those key chains with a locatingdevice. I again attempted to pass the time with paperwork, but thedull work was making me drowsy and so I watched the Times Squarecountdown show to help stay awake. Forty-five minutes later, Iremoved the duck from the oven, and dialed Audrey's cell. Shedidn't answer. That's funny, I thought. Fifteen minutes later, Icalled again. This time, she answered.

“Hey, honey, what exit areyou at?”

“Exit? Oh, I’m not sure.Call me back in an hour, okay?”

“An hour? You should behere by then,” I said, confused and worried.

“It’s my grandmother. Ihaven’t left yet. An hour, okay?” Audrey again sounded distractedas she hung up the phone before I could respond. Weighed down bythe late hour and my own disappointment, I threw some foil over theduck, blew out the largely melted candles, and carried the roses upto our bedroom. Not believing I could manage another hour, Idecided the alarm clock was definitely in order and so I set itbefore I fell into a light slumber.

Jolted awake by the sound of the alarm, Ifumbled for the phone, hoping to find Audrey almost home.

“Honey, where are you?Surely, you must be close now,” I said, groggy from myrest.

“I’m in the car, but I amdriving slowly. There are drunks all over the road and I'm tired.I’m tempted to just pull over for a rest.”

“Pull over? Well, dowhatever is safe, honey. I was hoping you would have been here along time ago,” I croaked, trying to stop my eyes fromsticking.

“I know. Call me inanother hour to check up on me, okay?” she asked. Again, the alarmclock was set. When it sounded again, it was just before 3a.m.

“Honey, where are you?” Isaid, now more concerned than disappointed. I vaguely rememberedher telling me she might need to pull over, but I couldn’t believeI agreed