Audrey Hepburn's Pearls: Part I

Chapter 98.1: 1968, Georgina

Chapter 98.1: 1968, Georgina

The sound of clear piano keys, playing my favorite song. Am I dreaming?

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock

My eyes opened to a dark room, calm quiet. They closed again, exhausted for unknown reason.

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock

My eyes shot open now. My mouth opened, but the sound of a key sliding into the lock closed it. My hands folded over my mouth, the fear taking over. Surging through my veins in familiarity.

Like last night.

There was only one word on my tongue, but it would have to wait.

Paulie. Where was Paulie?!

With the door opening it was all over and I couldn't hide. I couldn't do anything.

Footsteps bit into the kitchen floor, the door squeaked open like it always did. Light flooded into the open bedroom doorway and I tried to get away, but was only successful in sliding up the bed an inch by my hips.

But the footsteps didn't come in here. Instead, an unexpected sight flew by the doorway. An unexpected voice.

"Myyn lyb, you are alright? They did not hurt you? Oh god, you are alright?"

It wasn't for me. It was-

"Avi- Avi?!" Paulie's voice in the semi-darkness. And complete darkness as the door slammed closed. My hands grabbed my blankets, took them up above my nose, only my eyes exposed in fear. I heard their bodies collide, and then...the sounds of quick kissing. My mind couldn't comprehend it. Then Paulie said exactly what I was thinking, putting us back on track.

"You're supposed to be in Disneyland- you're supposed to be with-"

More kissing. Quiet.

"Shh. Shh, no. No, I'm not." Whispers. These words were barely there. Crying appeared, who was crying? I started to shake.

For many moments, there was nothing. I tried to quiet my breathing, tried to control it. What was happening? What was going on?

"Myyn lyb, listen to me. Look at me. Memorize what I am saying. Will you?"

"Yes."

"Alphonse Luciano is dead. He was murdered. Your car...they destroyed your car as an alibi, you understand? You are to say nothing. Your car is already gone. We took- we took it to a garage. It will be good as new in two weeks. No more. You are not to go to the police. You are to say nothing. Do you understand?"

"Avi..."

"Do you understand?" These words were so stern.

"Avi...what do I say to Georgina...she was there, she heard them..."

Paulie's voice. He was crying. And my name. What had he said?

"Tell her it was a bunch of kids. You did not know them. You sent the car to the garage before she woke up. You will not be pressing charges because you do not know who they are. You understand this?"

"Avi..."

"Yes. Say 'yes'."

"Yes, Avi. Yes, I understand."

I was frozen under my sheets. My eyes were frozen open.

What had he said...about Luciano?