Audrey Hepburn's Pearls: Part I

Chapter 45.1: 1968, Georgina

Chapter 45.1: 1968, Georgina

 

"Hey, now. Do you remember," Genesis paused for dramatic effect while poking a bobby pin into Cha Cha's wig from a stock of them sticking out of his mouth, "do you remember, Georgina, when your titty popped loose because your dress' strap was too bitty?"

"What- hey! Don't tell that story!" I gasped in the mirror, nearly dropping my lipstick. Cha Cha started giggling in his usual gesh gesh manner, but I was too appalled to laugh with him.

"Yeah, it just went pop right on stage in the middle of the pageant and she went 'ugh!' and covered herself just like this and we started laughing and laughing and-"

"Genesis!"

"What? I'm just trying to make the child laugh. Have a little fun." A sneaky smile appeared on his face, though, showing he was clearly having far too much fun of his own telling this story at my expense.

"What happen?" Cha Cha perked up excitedly like a duck at a target style carnival game.

"No!" I cried, putting up my hands.

Genesis kept on laughing. "Fine, fine. I won't tell it. Now you go, I'll finish getting this child done up. Go on."

"You promise?" I implored him, leaning in for leverage.

"Yeah, I promise. Go on!"

But his laughter should have been my clue, because as I turned around the last I saw of the two of them in the mirror was Genesis winking with his sideways smirk in his trademark bright cherry red. In frustration at him, I blew air out of my mouth upwards, disturbing my bangs as the bathroom door banged closed.

"Hey, cuddlebug," came a soothing voice behind me accompanied by the rattling of bottles in a too familiar carrying rack.

"Frankie!" I gasped as he swept past me. He looked behind himself to see me, his expression so in love I felt like it alone caused me to follow him like a lovelorn kitten.

"Are you okay? You seem a little mad," Frankie said, his expression now curious and innocent as he began to put glasses away under the bar. 

I sighed and leaned against it. "Genesis is being mean."

He turned to me, his body rigid. My eyebrows flew up at his sudden tenseness. "Should I talk to him?" he asked, but his voice still sounded nervous. It was too adorable. I wanted to cup his cheeks right then and there.

"No, its not that kind of mean," I assured, smiling with it to show him.

"Oh, okay. Is it 'just girl stuff'?"

I had to stifle a giggle. This was a phrase I had taught him the other day, to describe the sort of unique way Genesis teased me due to his confused concern. This kind boy. He killed me sometimes with his sincerity in wanting to protect me from all harm, just bowled me right over.

"Yeah, its just girl stuff, baby." Ah, he could make me feel better even in a swarm of bees.

"Alright." He leaned over the bar and I met him there, puckering my lips. Lightly, he kissed me so sweet. It was over too soon. "Do you want a cola?" he asked, returning to his work again. I saw him blushing ever so slightly in the mirror behind the bar as he quickly arranged bottles in their correct places. It made pink rise to my cheeks, too.

"Okay, baby. That sounds nice." Ah, I was so happy. So in a bliss.

He did as he was told, uncapping two Coca Colas, one for each of us. Eventually, Carl wandered in and after him Genesis and Cha Cha joined us at the bar fully dressed and ready for action. Without being told, Carl made Genesis a Bloody Mary just like he had every night except Sundays for two weeks, which was met with such joy from him.