Audrey Hepburn's Pearls: Part I

Chapter 88.1: 1995, Ruiz

Chapter 88.1: 1995, Ruiz

There was a light mist spreading on the window as the world around us was drizzling like there was never going to be any relief. A grey day to match my feelings as we drove up the street of Veronixxxa's father's diner. I was wearing Ambrose's jeans which were too big for me and one of his plain white t-shirts. I hadn't brought any of my boy clothes to Miss Cha Cha's, and I didn't have any girl clothes that could remotely be called "work" clothes. It was these or something fancier, and I didn't want to get anything fancier dirty. 

At the intersection's stoplight, Miss Cha Cha was checking her lipstick in the rearview mirror, popping her lips a final time as the light turned green. My heart hardened at the green light, getting more nervous but trying to make it go away as we got closer.

"Hmm," she said, putting the stickshift in gear to go ahead.

"Hmm?" My hands were folded on my lap, and a small feeling of relief spread as I saw Ambrose's jeans again. I kept forgetting they were his, a little disoriented about what I was actually about to do.

"I think I'll have breakfast at that diner. Do you think they'd have good egg sandwiches? Ever had their breakfast?"

Oh. No, I didn't know. But, more important...

"Um, I don't think...they'd look kindly on you in there." My eyes bore into my hands now intertwined so tightly on my lap. My gut was pinching. Had I really just said that? But it was the truth. From the way I'd been treated so far, and even the way Veronixxxa's father had treated Veronixxxa herself...how would they treat Miss Cha Cha? I didn't want her to get mistreated. That would be too horrible. That's what I'd been trying to say.

"I don't really care what they'd think. Don't worry about it, sweetie. I'm just going to eat a sandwich where you work, is all."

Oh. I swallowed and watched the diner approaching as we went slow with the morning traffic. She was more brave than me, definitely. Or did she know what she was getting into? Would they treat her okay? Worry was seeping in over everything. 

"I'll pull up to let you out then I'll go park. You get off around noon, right? I have a class at eleven, so I won't be able to come get you until one. But I'll try to get here as soon as I can-"

"Oh no, I'll take the train. Its not a big deal." Blush formed on my cheeks at her offer. I hadn't expected her to want to do that. It was enough that she was taking me to work.

"You're sure? Its not a problem." She made a small turn, sliding up to the parked car in front of the restaurant, slowing.

"I'm sure. Thank you so much." My hand went through my hair, but was stopped due to my ponytail. I let it fall into my lap again, too nervous.

"You have money? Do you need money for the train?" She was already opening her purse, too nice. 

The blush deepened in my cheeks. "Yeah, I have five bucks."

"Oh, that is not enough. Here, I'll give you ten dollars. Just in case something happens." Her change purse popped open, and I watched her feeling like I could cry and I didn't know why. She was just being so nice.

"Okay. I'll pay you back with my first paycheck." I took five singles from her and a five dollar bill to match the one in my pocket. I couldn't stop staring at them.

"No, you don't need to do that, baby. Its your's." So casual.

"Are you sure?" My eyes started to blink rapidly as small tears formed from her caring so much.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'll go park. Have a nice day at work. Hey, maybe I'll see you in there."

"Maybe." I slid across the seat as I opened the door, and looked back at her as I got out. She was smiling so kindly as she waved at me. I waved back as she smiled, and watched her pull back into traffic.

In the restaurant was a different story, and the smile I had gotten outside, all that warm kindness, was gone immediately. 

"This is Alejandro. He'll be showing you what to do. I don't have time for it. We're already backed up on orders because you're late. In the future, get here five to ten minutes early to avoid it. I reccommend ten. If you have any questions, ask Alejandro. In English, mind. We speak English here. I'm going up front. Welcome to the team, Luis."

Veronixxxa's father extended a meaty hand towards me, but I hesitated to accept it as I shifted my footing, hearing his strangely hostile words. He was not looking at me, and hadn't looked at me throughout his speech. 

I'd noticed he kept mispronouncing Alejandro's name repeatedly. Saying "Ally-jann-droh", jan like January. It looked like Alejandro had worked here for a long time, being advanced in age and not looking at his boss, just working with efficiency as his boss spoke near him. Hadn't he learned how to pronounce his employee's name by now?

And the last word he'd spoken...

My mouth opened before I realized, too fueled by habit but too late. "Its Ruiz." My mouth snapped shut immediately as my eyes looked up at him in shock at myself. But he seemed undisturbed, his face betraying nothing, surprising me further.

"This is a place of legal business," he said calmly and clearly, "we don't use nicknames here. And clock out five minutes before noon. No over time, you understand? Legally I do not pay overtime during times you were not supposed to work." 

Just like that, so casually. No nicknames. And then going on about overtime like it were no big deal. I'd gotten my answer. Something deep within had fallen way down when he'd said the word nickname, and fallen even further when he'd just brushed it away by going on to another subject. Suddenly, I knew what I'd been so nervous about in the car...the same thing I'd been nervous about since the beginning.

My name.

But now he was leaving the back, going up front. It just seemed like that was that. I turned, finding myself a little stunned, to see Alejandro doing his work like a flying acrobat on two solid yet heavyset legs. His apron, unlike the clean one I was wearing, was stained with dingyness. As water splashed on it as he slammed down a stack of dishes into the giant double sink, I saw why. I cringed inside, remembering my job at McCrory's Pub, dreading inside.

"Hola, Alejandro. Mi nombre es-" I started to introduce myself, but his harsh bark in reply startled me further, making me freeze up completely.

"NO Spanish," he shouted quickly, still not looking at me like earlier. "And stop standing around! Pick up a brush! There's some stuck on shit on these. I expect them to be clean when you get done with them."

"Oh, okay," I said quietly. Too quietly, I realized. But as I still stood frozen, I realized it didn't matter if I spoke. Instead of repeating myself, I grabbed the long handled brush and dunked my hands in the grimy muck, picking up a plate from Alejandro's side. With the brush, I pushed the faucet on full blast and began my job.

And like Alejandro, I began to do my job mindlessly and without a word. Without thoughts, and without the correct name.