Amber nodded. She better get used to me, she thought. I’m going to be around a long, long time.
Fifteen
Amber was pissed. It was December 24, and Rollins was staying open until two o’clock. What kind of idiots looked at houses on Christmas Eve? Why weren’t they at home, wrapping their big-ticket presents and decorating their twelve-foot trees? But they probably didn’t do all those things themselves, she reflected. That’s what people like Amber were for.
Around noon Jenna stood in the doorway of Amber’s office. “Hey, Amber, can I come in?”
“What is it?” Just what I need now, she thought peevishly.
Jenna walked in with a large wrapped package in her hand and placed it on Amber’s desk. “Merry Christmas.”
Amber glanced at the gift and then at Jenna. She hadn’t even thought to buy a present for Jenna, and was discomfited by her gesture.
“Open it!” Jenna said.
Amber picked it up and tore off the paper, then took the lid off the box. Inside was a glorious assortment of Christmas cookies, each one more delicate and delicious-looking than the last. “Did you make these?”
Jenna clapped her hands together. “Yes, me and my mom do it every year. She’s a spectacular baker. Do you like them?”
“I do. Thank you so much, Jenna. It was really nice of you.” Amber paused a moment. “I’m so sorry, but I didn’t get you anything.”
“It’s okay, Amber. I didn’t make them so you’d get me a gift. It’s just something my mom and I love doing. I give them to everyone in the office. I hope you enjoy them. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you too.”
* * *
Amber slept late on Christmas morning. When she awoke, the sky was blue, the sun was shining, and only an inch of snow had fallen. She took a long, hot shower and, after wrapping her terry-cloth robe around her, made a strong pot of coffee. She took her mug back into the bathroom and began to blow-dry her wet hair into soft waves—plain but classic. She applied a little blush, a dab of very discreet eye shadow, and some mascara. She stepped back from the mirror to examine the finished product. She looked youthful and fresh but without a trace of sexiness.
Daphne had asked her to come over around two o’clock, so after she finished a cup of yogurt, she sat down to read The Odyssey, which she’d borrowed from the library last week. Before she knew it, it was time to dress and gather everything up. Hanging on the closet door was the outfit she’d chosen—gray wool slacks and a white-and-gray turtleneck sweater. Small pearl studs in her ears—not real, of course, but who cared—a simple gold-colored bangle on her left wrist, and only her sapphire ring on her finger. She wanted to look pure and virginal. She took one last look in the full-length mirror, nodded approval at her image, and swept the presents into a large shopping bag.
Fifteen minutes later, she pulled into the open gates and parked her car in the circular driveway. Grabbing the bag of presents, she strode to the door and rang the bell. She saw Daphne coming down the hall, Bella right behind her.
“Welcome! Merry Christmas. I’m so glad you could come,” Daphne said, flinging open the door and embracing her.
“Merry Christmas to you. Thank you so much for letting me share this day with you and your family,” Amber said.
“Oh, it’s our pleasure,” Daphne said as she shut the door.
Bella was dancing around next to Daphne like a jumping bean.
“Hi, Bella. Merry Christmas.” Amber gave her a big fake smile.
“Do you have a present for me?” Bella asked.
“Oh, Bella, you didn’t even say hello. That was very rude,” Daphne scolded.
“Of course I brought you a present. How could I not give one of my favorite girls a present?”
“Goody. Can I have it now?”
“Bella! Amber hasn’t even taken her coat off.” She gave her daughter a little shove. “Let me have your coat, Amber, and let’s all go into the living room.”
Bella looked as if she was going to protest but did as she was told.
Jackson and Tallulah looked up from the dollhouse they were furnishing as Amber, Daphne, and Bella entered the room. “Merry Christmas, Amber. Welcome,” Jackson said with a warmth that indeed made her feel welcome.
“Thank you for inviting me. My whole family is back in Nebraska, and I would have been alone today. You don’t know how much I appreciate it.”
“No one should be alone on Christmas. We’re glad you’re here.”
Amber thanked him again and then turned to Tallulah. “Hi, Tallulah. Merry Christmas. What a cool dollhouse.”
“Would you like to come see it?” she asked.
These kids were like night and day. She didn’t like children, but at least Tallulah had manners, not like the little animal who thought the sun and the moon revolved around her. Amber went and sat down next to Tallulah in front of the dollhouse. She had never seen anything like it, even in photographs. What she and her sisters would have given for a toy like this, with all the fabulous furnishings and dolls to go with it! It was enormous, with three stories, real wood floors, tile bathrooms, electric chandeliers that actually worked, and beautiful paintings on the walls. As she looked closer, she realized it was a replica of the actual house they lived in. It had to have been custom-made. What must that have cost?
“How about a glass of eggnog, Amber?” Daphne asked.
“I’d love one, thank you.” She continued to watch as Tallulah carefully placed sofas, tables, and chairs in the house. Bella was on the other side of the room, busy with her iPad.
As she sat there, Amber took in all of the presents sitting open under the tree. They were piled high upon one another, tissue and ribbon mingled in the mix and spilled far into the room. She thought back to the miserly Christmases of her youth and felt keenly sad. She and her sisters had always gotten presents that were utilitarian, like underwear or socks, never a gift that was a luxury or even just a fun toy to play with. Even their stockings had been filled with useful or edible things, like the huge orange at the bottom to take up room, pencils and erasers for school, and sometimes a little puzzle that would become tiresome after one day.
The display in the Parrishes’ living room left her speechless. She saw what looked like silk lingerie peeking out from one of the boxes and several smaller boxes that must have contained more jewelry for Daphne. Tallulah’s presents were stacked in a neat pile. Bella’s, on the other hand, were haphazardly spread out over a large part of the room, and once she put down the iPad, she went from one to another in quick order.
The one thing missing from this scene, Amber thought to herself, was Daphne’s mother. Why wouldn’t the girls’ grandmother, a widow living only a car ride away, not be invited to spend Christmas with her only daughter and granddaughters? It seemed to her that the value placed on lavish presents was way above that of family.
Daphne came back into the living room with three glasses of eggnog and put them on the mahogany butler’s table between the two large sofas.
“Amber, come sit with me,” she said, and patted the cushion next to her. “Will you have some time off before the new year?”
“I do, actually. That’s the advantage of working on the commercial side of real estate.” She took a sip of eggnog. “Are you and Jackson going away over the holiday?”
“As a matter of fact, we leave on the twenty-eighth for St. Bart’s. We usually leave the day after Christmas, but Meredith is having a surprise fiftieth birthday party for Rand the day after tomorrow, so we pushed the date.”
“How nice,” Amber said, seething inside. She would be spending the rest of the holidays in her cheerless apartment trying to stay warm while they basked in the sun.
She rose from the sofa, hoping her expression hadn’t betrayed her jealousy. “I’ve brought some presents. Let me get them,” she said.
Bella jumped up from the floor and ran over. “Can I see my present? Can I, can I?”
Amber noticed Jack
son smiling as he watched Bella jump around with anticipation.
“Here you go, Bella.” Amber handed her the wrapped book set. Luckily, she had also gotten her a sparkly necklace and bracelet to match. Bella loved shiny things.
She ripped greedily into the paper, looked briefly at the books, and then opened the smaller box. “Ooh, pretty.”
“How lovely. Let me help you put on the necklace,” Daphne said.
“Here, Tallulah, this one is for you.”
She slowly unwrapped the package. “Thank you, Amber. I love this book.”
Bella, finished with the necklace and bracelet, began looking through the books Amber had given her and stomped her foot. “No fair. I already have this book in the series!”
Jackson swept her up in his arms and tried to console her. “It’s okay, baby. We’ll take it back to the store and get one you don’t have, okay?”
“Okay,” she whined and put her head on his shoulder.
Daphne retrieved a wrapped package from under the Christmas tree and handed it to Amber. “This is for you. I hope you like it.”
Amber untied the red velvet ribbon and gently tore off the black-and-gold paper. The small box held an elegant gold chain with a single pearl. It was beautiful. For a moment Amber was overwhelmed. She’d never owned something so lovely. “Oh, Daphne, thank you. I love it. Thank you so much.”
“You’re so welcome.”
“I have something for you too.”
Daphne unwrapped the box and then held up the bracelet. When she read Julie’s name on the charm, her eyes filled with tears. She slipped the bangle onto her wrist. “What a wonderful gift. I’ll wear it always. Thank you!”
Amber held her arm out in front of her. “I have one too. We’ll have our sisters with us all the time.”
“Yes.” Daphne choked up as she pulled Amber to her, hugging her tightly.
“Let me see, Mommy.” Bella ran to the sofa and flopped onto her mother’s lap.
“You see, a pretty bracelet with Aunt Julie’s name engraved on it. Isn’t it lovely?”
“Uh-huh. Can I wear it?”
“Maybe later, okay?”
“No, now.”
“Well, just for a few minutes, and then Mommy wants it back.” Daphne took the bracelet off and handed it to her. Bella pushed her fist through it, but the bracelet was too big to stay on her tiny wrist, and she passed it back to Daphne. “Here, Mommy. I don’t like it. You have it.”
Amber was furious that this unpleasant child had interrupted what should have been a serious bonding moment, but she picked up the other gift and held it out to Daphne, “One more that I thought you might like.”
“Amber. Really, this is too much. You’ve gone overboard.”
No, Amber thought, overboard is what is surrounding us in this room full of lavish presents amid discarded ribbons and wrappings. “It’s nothing, Daph. Just a little thing.”
Daphne opened the box and pulled out the turtle wrapped in tissue paper. As she unwound the paper and the crystal turtle came into view, she lost her grip and dropped it onto the floor.
Amber reached down to pick it up, glad to see that it hadn’t broken. “Good”—she placed it on the coffee table—“still intact.”
Jackson strode over to them, scooped up the turtle to examine it, and turned it over in his hands. “Look, Daphne. You don’t have one like this. What a nice addition to your collection.” Jackson set the turtle down. “Great gift, Amber. Now how about we go to the dining room for some Christmas dinner?”
“Oh, wait,” Amber said. “I have a gift for you too, Jackson.”
“You really needn’t have done this,” he said as he took the package she handed to him. She watched as he removed the decorative paper and stared at the book in his hands. He looked up at Amber in surprise, and for the first time she felt he was really looking at her. “This is amazing. Where did you find it?”
“I’ve always been interested in the cave paintings. It’s apparent that you and Daphne are discerning art lovers, so when I came across it on an antiquarian book site, I thought you might be interested in them too.” She’d searched the antiquarian bookstores online and had finally found one she thought he’d appreciate—The Lascaux Cave Paintings by F. Windels. She’d gulped when she’d seen the $75 price, but decided to go ahead and make this her one splurge. The paintings were over 17,000 years old, and the French caves had been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. She had hoped he would be impressed.
Amber smiled to herself. She had definitely scored with this one.
Daphne rose from the sofa. “Okay, everyone, time for dinner.”
“Just a second. One more thing.” Amber handed her the box of cookies.
“Goodness, Amber. These look delicious. Look, girls, don’t they look yummy?”
“I want one.” Bella stood on tiptoe and looked in the box.
“After dinner, sweetheart. Amber, this is so sweet of you.”
“Well, Rollins closed early yesterday, so I enjoyed baking them last evening.”
“What? You made these?”
“It’s not a big deal. It was fun, really.”
They walked into the dining room together, and suddenly Bella was by Amber’s side. She took hold of Amber’s hand and smiled up at her. “You’re a really good cookie maker. I’m glad you came today.”
Amber looked down at the little brat and smiled back. “Me too, Bella.”
She felt a swell of satisfaction rise inside her.
Sixteen
Amber had a New Year plan that she hoped would ramp things up. Her panicked phone call had done the trick, and now Daphne waited for her as she walked to the door.
A worried look crossed Daphne’s face as she ushered Amber in. They went directly to the sunroom.
“What’s happened?” Daphne asked with concern.
“I’ve been trying to work this out on my own, but I just can’t take it anymore. I have to talk to someone about it.”
“Come, sit.” Daphne took Amber by the hand and led her to the sofa. “Now, what is it?” She leaned forward, her eyes focused on Amber’s face.
Amber took a deep breath. “I was fired today. But it’s not my fault, and I can’t do anything about it.” She began to cry.
“What do you mean? Back up and tell me everything.”
“It started a few months ago. It seemed whenever I went into his office, Mark—my boss, Mark Jansen—would find some reason to touch me. Brushing something off my shoulder or putting his hand on mine. At first I thought it was nothing. But then, last week, he asked if I would go with him on a client dinner.”
Daphne was staring at her intently, and Amber wondered if she thought she was too homely to be hit on.
“Is it usual for you to attend client dinners?” Daphne asked.
Amber shrugged. “Not really. But at the time I was flattered. I figured he valued my opinion and wanted my input. And maybe, you know, there might be a promotion in the future. I drove myself and met him at Gilly’s. He was already there, but he was alone. He told me the client had called and was running late. We had a couple of beers, and I started to feel funny.” She stopped again, taking a deep breath. “The next thing I knew, his hand was on my knee and then moving up my thigh.”
“What?” Daphne’s voice exploded in anger.
Amber wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back and forth. “It was horrible, Daph. He slid closer to me in the booth and stuck his tongue in my mouth and started fondling my breast. I pushed him away and ran.”
“That pig! He won’t get away with this.” Her eyes were blazing. “You have to report him.”
Amber shook her head. “I can’t.”
“What do you mean, you can’t?”
“The next day, he claimed I had hit on him. Told me no one would believe me.”
“That’s ridiculous. We’re going to march right over there and talk to Human Resources.”
“I’m so ashamed to tell you this, but at the o
ffice holiday party a few weeks ago, I had too many drinks and ended up kissing one of the agents. Everyone saw. They’re going to believe him, believe that I’m loose.”
“Still, that’s not the same thing as your boss taking advantage of you.”
“I can’t make trouble. He offered me two months’ pay if I leave quietly. My mother is still paying off Charlene’s medical bills, and I send her money every month. I can’t afford not to take it. I’ll find something else. I’m just so humiliated.”
“He’s paying you off to shut you up. I can help you with money until you find another job. I think you should fight it.”
Now she was talking, but Amber had to up the ante and see the act through.
“And have every real estate firm in Connecticut afraid to hire me? No, I have to keep my mouth shut. Besides, maybe I did give him the wrong idea.”
Daphne stood up, pacing. “Don’t you dare blame yourself. Of course you didn’t do anything wrong. That piece of garbage—he’ll probably do it to someone else too.”
“Believe me, I’ve thought about that too. But, Daphne, I have too many people depending on me. I can’t report him and take the chance of not being able to get a job.”
“Damn him. He knows he has you in a corner.”
“He gave me a good reference. I just need to hit the pavement now.” She smiled at Daphne. “And the upside is that my days are free, so I’m free to work full-time on the fund-raiser.”
“You find the good in everything, don’t you? I’ll respect your wishes, even though I’d love to go over and let him have it. It’s so noble of you, helping your mom.” Amber watched Daphne’s face as she grew quiet, seemingly contemplating something. Amber wondered if Daphne was thinking of her own mother and feeling guilty. “You know what? I’m going to talk to Jackson. There might be something for you at his company.”
Amber made herself look surprised. “You really think so? That would be amazing. I’d be willing to do anything. Even starting as an administrative assistant or something like that would be great.” This time her smile was genuine.
The Last Mrs. Parrish Page 8