Audrey Hepburn's Pearls: Part I

Chapter 59.1: 1995, Ruiz

Chapter 59.1: 1995, Ruiz

"Ruiz."

I breathed in hard, suddenly awoken. No, I didn't want to wake up.

"Ruiz. Its 6pm. We have to get ready. Come on, I'll do your face."

I rolled over.

"Come on. Do I have to tickle you?" A little, adorable giggle. "Were you napping?"

I groaned. No, I was having a nice dream. About Ambrose. He was here with me, hugging me in the dark. I could hear his breathing.

"Was it a nice dream?"

"Mmm...nice dream..." I groaned, whipping my arm over my eyes to block out the light.

"Aww. I bet it was. But we have to get ready now."

"No."

"Sweetie."

"No."

"I'm going to tickle you."

"Mmmm...no."

"Do you want to sleep some more?"

"Si."

"Si. Okay. I'll get ready first. We have four hours. I'll come check on you later."

"Si."

"Siii. Cute." Warm moisture on my cheek. I groaned again at it.

I heard a door squeak and lightly tap. The darkness wasn't fully restored. I rolled over back to my comfortable position and sighed deeply, pulling the thick blanket over my head. A bump hindered me under my elbow, and frustrated, I felt around it. My hand nudged something solid but with give. Fingering the object, my hand recognized it. It was Wally.

I let out all of my air. Ambrose.

The sound of the shower pulsating came on beyond the far wall. Immediately, a familiar voice followed, the one that had just been in the room with me. It was a dense humming, twirling to me from the wall. It was "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper, sung by somebody I knew.

My sleepy head almost couldn't comprehend it. I rolled over on my back, my eyes opening. The door squeaked again, the light flooding in as it opened. It was like a ghost. I jerked up into a sitting position, staring at it. But from up here, I could see the bottom of the door. Standing in relief was a fluffy cat. It was Baby Doll, staring at me. 

"Baby Doll," I sighed. Hearing her name, she jumped forward onto the bed. With a heavy thump she landed on my feet. She settled down, then rolled onto her back, legs akimbo, hoping for tummy rubs. But this only reminded me more of Ambrose, because Ambrose was the one who taught her to expect that.

Ambrose.

The humming got louder, the water slapping on the floor of the tub twice. 

Thunk! 

I jumped in the bed and Baby Doll jumped at mine, causing her to get back upright. 

"Soap!" Ambrose's voice gasped from beyond the wall. 

Ambrose. He was here, taking a shower. He was right there, dropping the soap.

The humming started up again, this time a different song. A song I knew too well. "That's 'Take a Bow'," I said to Baby Doll. I gave in and rubbed her bunny-like head. An immediate purr started up. She was expecting me to pet her down, but I didn't have time for that. "I'm going to take a shower," I told her, removing the covers from my legs.