Audrey Hepburn's Pearls: Part I

Chapter 18.1: 1994, Georgina

Chapter 18.1: 1994, Georgina

 

"Does it taste good?" 

Slowly, I chewed the Snickers bar in my hand. It was crunchy and a bit warm, having been held for so long by Ruiz. I liked the warm part better than the bar itself, because it reminded me of her determination to bring it to me safely. 

"Yeah, its crunchy. I like the crunchy chocolates, things such as almonds, peanuts, things," I smiled, licking the little bit of melted chocolate off of my bottom lip. 

"I'm so glad," she said softly, smiling just a little bit herself. It was a sad sort of smile. She'd been showing me this sad smile all day this lazy Sunday. I didn't ask her about it, because there are some things which are very private. If she wanted to tell me, I'd let her in her own time.

She shifted on the couch, reaching for her cup of tea. She took it in her hands and sipped it, holding it delicately near her lips afterwards. I was noticing now how feminine she truly was, as she was no longer ashamed to show me this. Her eyes were downcast in thought, forming a pretty picture. 

I adjusted my long blue skirt, made of a light blue chiffon, over my knee to eliminate bumps in it. Next, I fiddled with one of the buttons on my robin's egg blue sweater, trying to look like I was occupied so she wouldn't feel nervous about not talking as much as usual. 

Suddenly, she spoke.

"You know, Miss," she said softly, not looking at me still, her expression absolutely unchanged, "...its my birthday today."

My mouth opened. Her birthday? Why hadn't she told me before?

"Darn it, if you had told me, I would have baked you a cake," I smiled to her, trying to cheer her up. 

"Thank you, but I could not trouble you for it," she said, the little corners of her mouth extending upwards just a little bit at this information. She took another tiny sip of her earl grey tea, but held it still. 

I thought to myself a bit, wracking my brain. I wanted her to smile for real. What was causing her to be so distraught? Her mother? A boy? Herself? 

Things became so quiet that the sounds of the ticking clock above my refridgerator could be heard. I stared at my house slippers, trying to politely not look at her if she didn't want to be looked at. She seemed to have gone off in her own thoughts, not speaking again. 

My mouth curved into a grin as I recalled something. I felt I could do this, for her. It was a special occasion after all. I felt it could mean a lot to her, maybe cause her to smile again.

"I'll be right back," I told her gently. She nodded slightly, giving me a polite smile.

I pattered off to my bedroom. Once inside the doorway, I peered out to the back of her head on the couch. She was unmoving now, truly alone, not keeping up any airs. It was a forlorn sight. I frowned to myself, and made my way to my large vanity dresser. Pulling out a drawer, I sighed.

In my hands I took a small pink box. Knowing I had some white ribbon on another box, I rifled through the drawer quietly, shifting things on top of other things. Finally, I spied a satiny white ribbon, a tiny little thing but it would work. Carefully, I undid its tie and then transferred the ribbon to the little pink box. The entire thing fit into the palm of my hand, so small it was. Satisfied, I closed the drawer and made my way out of the room.

On my way back to my chair, I tapped Ruiz on the shoulder, making a small sucking sound behind my front teeth to further alert her, and floated the box down to the side of her face. Her eyes went wide in shock and she took the box in her hand instinctively. She gasped at it and then looked at me, her eyes wells of sorrow. I sat in my chair, my elbows on my knees in anticipation, leaning my chin in my hands.

"Georgina...that clicking sound...Miss Paula used to do that," she whispered almost to herself.

"He learned it from me," I beamed. "It was our way of saying, 'hey kiddo' or 'stop it' or 'snap out of it, you know I love you', things like that."

Ruiz looked at if she could cry just from this. "I never knew that," she said, finally smiling in a small bit of happiness. It gladdened my heart.

"Open the box," I grinned, pointing at it, "its your birthday present."

"Birthday...! Oh Miss, I can't!" Ruiz gasped, looking panicked. 

"Nonsense," I laughed, swiping my hand in the air to wave away her words. "I want to give it to you. Its a special birthday anyway. You're turning twenty-one. Its not every day a lady turns twenty-one."

"...A lady," Ruiz sighed, blushing. Her eyes relaxed into a pleasing half almond shape as her true smile came out. They looked so very deeply satisfied in the soul. I knew the feeling.

Slowly, she began to undo the ribbon with her long nails. They were painted red, which perfectly complimented the box and ribbon, making it look like she was holding Valentine's Day in her hands. The ribbon became undone finally, and she draped it on her smart red plaid skirt. Like always when she dressed as a woman, she had come to my apartment in a costume for the stage. She was dressed as a school girl today, slightly sexy but subdued and classic like she always was. It made her look so young, and made the moment that much more precious.

Her excitement growing, her smile seemed to spread without her realizing it. Gently, her hand lifted away the top of the old fancily painted cardboard box, and upon realizing what was in the box her other hand flew over her mouth.

She stared at it for a while, not saying anything, her sweet chocolate colored eyes just wide with the whites showing very much.

"Do you like it?" I asked warmly, leaning forward on my elbows.

"Mm-!" she squeaked behind her hand. 

I chuckled and got out of my chair, making my way to the couch. Sitting next to her, I took the box from her hand gently and took out the item laid on the cotton batting within.

Between my thumb and finger, I held the tiny silver ribbon brooch with small diamond-like crystals all over it securely. It was an old friend, given by an old friend, and I wanted her to have it. It was the most feminine piece of jewelry I owned, and I wanted her to realize that at least one person in this world recognized her as the woman she was. I wanted her to have something very feminine on her birthday, because with no one else knowing her secret maybe no one else would be giving her something feminine today, this special day.

"Here, look," I beamed, securing the pin side to the right side of her blouse. "Doesn't it add just the right touch to every outfit? You could wear it anywhere." I was giving her a hint, that she should display her feminine beauty proudly anywhere. I hoped she understood it.

"Oh Georgina, this..." she squeaked again, unable to say more. 

"It was given to me for Christmas by Paulie one year. I thought you'd like to know that, too. He found it in some jewelry store and started laughing because of how ridiculously girly it was. He gave it to me as a joke present, but later on as events happened in my life he came to realize how special it had been to me that Christmas. Now I want it to be special to you," I said proudly, adjusting it just so and retracting my hands, deeply pleased.

"When was it given to you?" Ruiz asked quietly, still gaping at the little brooch in a lady-like way.

"Early '60's. It was before I knew Frankie, Avi. I guess I'd known Paulie for about two or three years," I nodded, remembering, friendly images spreading in my mind of Paulie back then. 

"You've had it for so long," Ruiz said quietly. 

"Yes, but its served its time with me. I feel like it can serve you better," I smiled to her, taking her hand in mine, squeezing it assuringly.

A small tear fell down Ruiz's cheek as I held her hand, a small thank you between us unsaid. We understood the meaning anyway.