Audrey Hepburn's Pearls: Part I

Chapter 27.1: 1967, Georgina

Chapter 27.1: 1967, Georgina

 

The Christmas muzak was getting to me.

"Tell me again, Paulie. Why are we in New Jersey?" I asked, sifting through strange man-made fabrics of the grossest clothing I'd ever seen. 

"When you don't have a lot of money, Jersey is the way to go," Paulie said, holding up an orange Hawaiian t-shirt with palm trees printed on it. "You think Avi would like this? His clothes always suck."

"Why are you buying gifts for him if you're starting to hate him?" I asked, my hand finding a pretty piece of lace and revealing the most grandma blouse I'd ever seen as I pulled it. Overall, the clothing in this discount store's sale table was atrocious. 

"I don't know," Paulie sighed, slinging the orange shirt over his arm for purchase. 

A little puffball came rocketing towards us and barreled into Paulie. "Look! Look what I find! This store wonderful!" Cha Cha exclaimed, holding up a white teddy bear dressed in sequins and glittery fabric of a Christmas theme. 

Paulie took it from him, inspecting it neutrally. He uncovered the price tag on its butt and nodded at Cha Cha. Cha Cha beamed and took it back, hugging it like it was a baby. 

"We should have gone to The Basement," I sighed, tossing yet another disgusting waste of lace. 

"Hmm, maybe you're right," Paulie said, "but I'm still buying this. Meet me at the car." Paulie smiled at Cha Cha and gathered the bear from him with the Hawaiian shirt. I took Cha Cha's hand and walked out of the store so he wouldn't run away to look at something else.

In the parking lot, Cha Cha started to pull at the silver handle of Paulie's pink Cadillac, eager to get inside from the cold.

"Wait, baby, I have the key," I snickered. I opened my door, then laid over the front seats to get the passenger door unlocked with a grunt. Cha Cha then slipped into the backseat by making the white leather front seat tip forward. Thank god he was tiny.

"Brr," he shivered, rubbing his hands together. I slid into the driver's seat and turned on the ignition, and when the silky heat flowed in we both relaxed. Satisfied, I slipped out again and then swung around the passenger seat. 

About ten minutes later, Paulie came out of the store and handed Cha Cha his bear. He handed me the plastic bag containing the ugly Hawaiian shirt without a word and then set the car into drive. 

"Where are we going now?" I asked.

"Lunch?" Paulie said, looking behind him as he backed out of the parking space.

"Hey, Cha Cha, where do you want to eat?" I asked, peering around back at him. 

"Wait, I know where we should go," Paulie said with finality, gearing up to drive out of the parking lot. "We've got a child in the car and all."

Cha Cha's mouth opened to protest but I sucked my teeth to shush him. 

Some minutes later, a familiar red and white checkered figure reflected in the glass of my window and I let out a low noise of disgust. Paulie chuckled. "Big Boy? ...Really?" I asked. "Why am I in New Jersey going to a Big Boy?"

"Live a little, girlfriend," Paulie laughed, putting the car into park nearest to the door as he could.

"Why not a nice diner?" I asked, getting out and letting the little one out.

"Cha Cha, you want to eat here, right?" Paulie cooed to him sweetly, taking his hand. Cha Cha nodded eagerly.

"Traitor," I chuckled, taking his other hand.