13 — Well Spent
October 14, 1938
Ruby was rather startled by the early morning knock, but she straggled out of bed, threw on her dressing gown, and crossed to the door anyway.
"Yeah?"
"Ruby? It's me."
Smiling to herself, Ruby threw the door open and waved Nola in.
"Well, I didn't expect you so early, or even at all," she said.
"I'm awfully sorry," Nola murmured, "if I've disturbed you."
"No, no. I would've got up soon anyway."
"Oh. Any big plans?"
Ruby shook her head, shrugging off her dressing gown and sitting on the edge of her bed.
"Not 'til this evening. Still, I like to be up and about at a good time. Just like to keep busy."
"Ah. Well, I was hoping you might be free, at least a little. Wondered if you'd like to spend some time with me."
"Oh, honey," Ruby smiled, reclining on the bed, "you know I just adore to spend time with you."
Nola sighed and moved to sit on the bed as well.
"It's a while before I have to be anywhere," she said, "but I hope you'll come along."
"Of course. Oh, but whatever shall we do to fill the time 'til then?"
"I have a few thoughts," Nola shrugged, resting a hand on Ruby's knee.
They sat for a while in the wide, sunny room, watching as the man who'd let them in moved around, laying out the artist's supplies. Finally, just as Ruby was yawning for the fourth time, the door opened and in walked this apparently celebrated artist who was supposed to paint Nola's portrait.
Ruby chose to keep her thoughts to herself, but she did wonder how well he could paint, or do much of anything, with just one arm.
"Well, Miss Charpentier, welcome to the studio. Oh, you've brought a friend?"
"Hello, Mr. Treewell. Hope it's all right. See, Ruby's quite a good friend, and we had planned to spend the day together."
Ruby almost chuckled, wondering how much an early morning bit of whoopee counted as planning.
"Quite all right," Mr. Treewell said, and turned to Ruby.
"How do you do, Miss..."
"Carr. Ruby Carr."
"Oh! You wouldn't be a dancer, would you? When we were here last year, my wife and I took in a show on Broadway..."
"Garroway's Cut-Ups?" Ruby asked.
"Why, yes," Mr. Treewell nodded.
"That was me."
"How splendid. I say, you really are a very talented performer."
"I get that a lot," Ruby said, and shot Nola a look that made her blush.
"Would you mind," Nola whispered as they wandered the shop, "if I tagged along to visit your family?"
"Why would you want to, honey?"
"Well, I just... I just thought perhaps I could properly meet them this time. Your father, maybe your mother. And... Anyhow, if it would be trouble..."
"No trouble," Ruby smiled, and patted Nola's arm.
"I just never knew any gal so gung-ho to know my family."
"I like you," Nola said, "and I know you like me. I want your family to like me too."
"Oh?"
"Yes. I mean, in case."
"In case of what?"
"In case I should happen to be a fixture in your life for a long while to come."
They had gone back to Nola's hotel rather than Ruby's apartment, had taken dinner together in the suite, and then had gone quietly to bed. Now, an hour later, Ruby popped out of a half-sleep and shook Nola's shoulder gently.
"Hrrnmm?"
"I just want to tell you, it was awfully sweet how good you were to me today."
"Mmm I dragged you all aroun' the city on silly errands. What's sweet?"
"You wanted to spend the day with me. Just to spend the day."
Nola smiled and pulled Ruby gently close.
"I enjoy spending time with you. You're the loveliest woman I've known in a long while."
"Still, that you just want to be around me, and don't expect anything..."
"But I do expect something."
"Oh?"
Sighing, Nola pressed her forehead to Ruby's.
"I expect to make you very happy."
Posted Oct 13, 2019, 6:21 AM UTC · edited