Audrey Hepburn's Pearls: Part I

Chapter 31.3: 1967, Georgina

Chapter 31.3: 1967, Georgina

 

"Ah!"

I heard a gasp behind me and his arms squeezed around my quivering body, instantly soothing me in the dark. 

"Are you alright?" came Frankie's tired voice, awoken in surprise.

"Y-yeah...I had a dream about that lady cop from the-"

"Yeah, the club. You don't have to remember. You know...if you tell me who she is, I'll have my Dad complain to the city and get her fired. She'll never do that again."

I sighed, thinking about it. Rolling over, I wrapped my arms around him. His concerned face filled my vision in the bare moonlight streaming in from the yacht's little windows. We had come here because I didn't feel safe again, and now I was doubly glad to be here after that dream.

"I don't remember her name," I told him quietly, but yes I did. I do remember her name. Its burned into my retinas. Michelle Copley. Right on her badge, which I saw every place. His offer was very generous every time he said it, but I was conflicted. Wasn't she just doing-

"I know what you're thinking, Georgina. You can't hide from me. She wasn't doing her job. Touching people like that isn't-"

I squeezed him now, hoping he'd stop talking. He did stop speaking for a moment, silenced by my childish act, but he started again. However, this time it was different, comforting.

"You're sure you don't remember her name? Well okay, pretty eyes. Even if I can't get her fired, I'll be here for you. Anything you need," he whispered, burrowing and kissing my nose, then my lips. It was so warm. He flooded me with love, attempting to replace my fear. With every breath, smelling him, knowing he was pressed against me in this safe space, hearing the gentle rocking of the boat, I tried to be comforted. I knew it would take a bit longer, but as long as Frankie was with me, hugging me, I could always be comforted, no matter how long it took.

 

"Hold this, Cha Cha."

"What this is?"

"Shake it."

Jingle, jingle!

"Ah! What this is! I like this one!"

I giggled and Frankie hugged me from behind. I was sitting on his lap as usual, but this time it was on a stool in my apartment. We watched Paulie bring out a second jingly thing from his bag. Cha Cha took it eagerly and shook one of them near his ear. A wide beam spread across his sweet face.

"What this is? I know it, but what name is?"

"Its a tambourine," I piped up and Paulie nodded, taking out reindeer bells on a stick from his bag, too. Seeing this, I laughed. "Gosh, Paulie. You must have been jingling and jangling all up and down the street."

"All the better for 'Jingle Bells'," he said without breaking a smile, tossing the reindeer bells to me. So he was still feeling the talk I had with him a couple of days ago. I was glad he was thinking about it, but since it was preventing him from having his head in the game I was unsure. We were supposed to be practicing for our annual holiday show, but he hadn't popped a grin all day. With normally smiley and jokey Paulie, it was a highly noticable problem. But I knew he was going through major things right now, so I didn't say a thing about it for his sake. I just hoped he'd be able to smile for our Christmas show.

Before I could think another thought, pink milk in a tall glass swooped around from the bar behind me, and Frankie held the glass up to me. I looked back towards his face, and he gave me a little encouraging smile, which I matched. He'd been making me strawberry milk more and more since the incident at the club, knowing it made me feel good because it made him feel good. Maybe in not the same way, it didn't give me nostalgia like it did him, but it reminded me of his love which was better than nostalgia in my opinion.