Someone pointed me to the canals. I loved this neighborhood. It was tucked away, and if I were from the UK, I would call it posh. I rented a bike and discovered an idyllic scene: arching pedestrian bridges; charming beach houses; and some of what I was told were the city’s best boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and bars. I had lunch in a New York City-inspired deli. They brought in their meats and cheeses from Katz’s Deli in New York. I had their pastrami on rye, and it was as good as advertised.
I made my way back to Venice beach where I bought some touristy t-shirts and even had my fortune told. An old, heavyset woman who smelled of Cheetos told me I was destined for big things. She told me I hadn’t met the love of my life yet, but when I did, I wouldn’t like her at first.
The only downside to the day was that several people recognized me, so I had to stop and let them take pictures with me. A couple wanted me to come hang out with them, but I thought better of it.
When I was done, I called the car and had them take me back to Rita’s house in the hills.
◊◊◊
Christmas Eve dinner was excellent. Halle’s grandmother was a terrific cook, and she made a rack of lamb with a mint sauce. I talked her into giving me the recipe. After dinner, everyone opened a gift. I was stunned when mine was the painting Halle made of Duke and me. She’d had it framed.
We then watched It’s a Wonderful Life, which was a family tradition. I decided to go up to my room to send some emails. Bandit joined me and curled up on my foot. He didn’t quite replace my trusty hound, but the little fur-ball was cute.
◊◊◊ Friday December 25
Granny had given me the recipe for her cinnamon rolls, so I got up early and baked a big batch. That and the smell of coffee attracted everyone downstairs.
“You’ll have to give Rosy the recipe,” Rita said.
I was sworn to secrecy, so even Rosy wasn’t getting this recipe. After we ate, Trip played Santa and handed out gifts.
One of my gifts had me confused. It was a bottle of Havana Club Gran Reserva rum from Laurent Vance, the director of The Royal Palm. I wondered if this was some sort of peace offering. Rita said that it was one of the better rums from Cuba.
Halle was a good actor. She acted surprised when she opened her surfboard. I mean, what else could it have been? Her mom gave me a look because Rita thought I was spoiling her.
My mom finally tracked me down. She’d just opened her gift—which had a Prada purse in it. I think that, plus the excitement of having family there, made her forget about the whole swimming-with-the-sharks incident. Angie was a little peeved with me because I’d sent electric cars that Kyle and Mac could ride in. They apparently didn’t understand that they were for outside. Angie explained that in the future, all gifts had to be preapproved by her. She made some cryptic threat that I was about to have a baby, and payback could be hell.
◊◊◊
While Halle and her family spent time together, I went for a run, came back and lifted, and practiced hitting a baseball off the batting tee.
Before it got too late, I called Pam.
“Guess what I got?” she asked excitedly.
“I have no idea,” I played along.
“Santa brought me a new smartphone and smartwatch!”
I had no idea how Santa would know that was what she wanted. My watch vibrated and showed a smiley face from Pam. I may have made a mistake in giving it to her.
“I liked your gift too. Halle said you regifted it. She said you have to take us shopping to get our real gift.”
If Halle told Pam where I got the sunglasses, then she’d also told Brook and Zoe. I’d looked online at what they would cost. The first problem was even finding them. There was a pair listed on eBay, and the bidding was unreal. I realized Pam was teasing me; she was aware all she had to do was ask, and I would take her shopping. I acted like I was put out that Halle had ratted me out.
Next, I called Zoe.
“There’s a rumor going around that you know Santa because he spent too much money on me,” she complained.
I’d had her dad pick out a new saddle and all the gear to match. He saved me a lot of money because he knew someone who made them.
“I can have Santa come take it back,” I said.
“No, that’s okay, but you really shouldn’t spend so much money. I love the sunglasses, by the way. They make me look like a high-fashion cowgirl. Roc said he’d take a picture of me riding with all my new stuff. He gave me a new cowboy hat, and Mom and Dad gave me clothes.”
“I can’t wait to see it. I miss you,” I said.
“Brook is ready to catch a flight to see you. Maybe I’ll tag along.”
“I’d like that.”
“Tell Halle she’d better be careful when she gets back.”
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“She sent us pictures of you in bed with Bandit. He’s a cutie, but it was the picture of your bare butt that made me horny. I was doing well until I saw that,” Zoe complained.
Brook was next.
“Santa is evil,” Brook answered, which made me laugh.
“Why’s that?” I asked.
I’d talked to Rita about the premiere of my movie and who I should take. My first inclination was to take Halle. But Rita said that the press was already linking the two of us, and we needed to let them know we were just friends. Going together to the premiere would connect us romantically. Pam was an obvious no; Rita said showing up with a pregnant girlfriend would be terrible publicity. Zoe was also eliminated because we thought she wasn’t ready to face the press. We ran through several faux dates, but Rita didn’t think any of them was right. She even shot down Hannah Minacci.
The logical choice was Brook. Her family had serious money, and she was used to going to charity and political events where there was press coverage. Rita called her mom, they had a long talk, and Ava finally agreed to let me ask Brook. I’d let Santa do my dirty work and had sent her an invitation, airline tickets, and instructions to get a dress. Her mom would send me the bill. Actually, when I called Adrienne, she said the dress would be free, as long as we let everyone know who she was wearing. Rita said she could get Brook jewelry to wear.
“Two weeks is not enough time to buy a dress and have it altered for an event like this,” she complained.
I guess she saw me roll my eyes through the phone.
“David! I’m serious!”
“Your mom is taking you to Chicago tomorrow. Adrienne has called ahead, and a dressmaker will create a custom gown for you for the event. You just have to wear a sign telling everyone who the designer is.”
“Dork.”
I snorted. Brook had actually resorted to name-calling.
She proceeded to explain how it wasn’t only the one dress, we had to get her something for the after-party as well. I surrendered; I had no idea about all this stuff. She started into a litany of needing shoes and matching purse. It sounded like she was just looking for a new wardrobe. I knew Brook had more expensive taste than Pam, so this could result in a significant cash outlay. Then again, I also remembered I would only have one first movie premiere, and I wanted Brook to look nice, so I relented.
Tracy was next on my list of people to call.
“Jerk.”
I broke out laughing. As a gag gift, I’d sent Tracy one of those pillboxes old people used to keep track of what they had to take each day.
“Mom said Santa brought it. You’ll feel bad when I get depressed.”
“Been there, done that. You need to figure out something new to torment me with,” I said.
“Thank you. Your other gift was very thoughtful. Pam will be surprised.”
I’d worried that Pam would get lost in everything this week, and might need her best friend with her. So, I’d arranged for Tracy to fly out with her and stay with Rita. I’ll admit I did it for selfish reasons as well; I missed Tracy. After talking to Tami, I’d almost changed my mind. I didn’t want Tami to feel slighted, but then I wasn’t going to be around all the time. Besides, I wanted Pam to enjoy herself this week. Tami’s mom hadn’t seen her very often, whereas Tom and Mary could probably use a vacation from their daughter. Tracy would be Pam’s plus-one at Devin and Cora’s wedding. I was sure the two of them would have a good time.
“I’m hoping you have fun too. The two of you can explore LA, and I might even get you up on a surfboard.”
“Pam said we’d take you to Sea World where you can pet the sharks in a controlled environment. She said your method had some flaws.”
“No shit. My bodyguard was actually shaking when he got out of the water. We decided we wouldn’t be going back to that beach ever again,” I proclaimed.
I heard her smartwatch beep.
“Oh, and I’m going to kill you. She’s practicing sending text messages with her new watch,” Tracy said.
I knew she was talking about Pam. It was good Tracy was her guinea pig and not me. Seems to me I had the same issue with some girl named Tracy when she got her smartwatch. Karma was a bitch.
I looked forward to the coming week. My parents, Pam, her mom, and Tracy would all be coming to LA for Devin and Cora’s wedding. I wondered how Devin would react to my hiring Caryn. I also looked forward to seeing Sandy. She was supposed to be my date for the big event.
◊◊◊