Audrey Hepburn's Pearls: Part I

Chapter 45.2: 1968, Georgina

Chapter 45.2: 1968, Georgina

 

"Mm, that pizza was great tonight. Just right. Who knew we'd find a pizza place open at 4am? Mm...I can still taste those fresh tomatoes, the sweet ones. But of course you remember. You were there."

Frankie's eyes were closed, speaking entirely in Italian in his way. As he often did when he was completely exhausted, completely comfortable. I tucked the dark green sheet up to his chin and then dragged the light blue fleece blanket up as well. How I loved tucking us in together.

"Mhm. And then what?" I just wanted him to keep talking. Ah, his young Italian tones. His regional accent mystified me, and the more I listened the more I wondered what part of Italy his father had been from. But I didn't ask, because I loved this guessing game.

"Ah, the breadsticks. They made the good ones, not fluffy. More like a stick should be. Those are real, good Italians. Seems like every corner you turn in New York there's a pizza place, but when you find genuine Italian that...that's the magic..."

His voice was drifting off now, and at any moment he'd start his little snores. But he couldn't sleep now. I wasn't finished. I wanted him to talk for me, about anything at all in the whole world.

So I kissed him. Full on tongue. He moaned into my mouth but didn't move. Darn it. He really was tired. I decided to resort to tickles, the last card up my lacey sleeve. If this didn't wake him up, nothing would. Slowly, my fingers found his slender body under the covers, sliding up like jewel thieves in a precious heist.

Like gentle cat burglars, my fingers pounced under his ribs and to my great delight he started to wiggle and wiggle some more. And the giggles. My lonely heart flooded with joy.

"Hee hee hee, oh stop it- hee hee hee!" he rolled this way and that, never opening his sweet eyes but his deliriously happy smile. My darling. With a great big deep breath, he wrenched free and heaved his body towards me, wrapping me in his surprisingly strong arms to halt my own. "Mmm, pretty eyes, are you not tired? What's the matter? You only tickle me when you want my attention."

He knew me so well.

"No, nothing is the matter. I'm just lonely."

"I'm right here, cuddlebug. Riiight here." He sang the last, calming my body whole.

"Hold me."

"I'll hold you."

"Mhm. Don't let go. Even when you sleep." I was being extremely irrational, but I didn't care.

"Okay. Even when I sleep."

He was just repeating what I said at this point, but that was okay. As long as he was talking, holding me, everything would be alright.