15 — Pass the Night
October 15, 1938
"Help me with this damn tie, will you?"
Burt chuckled and went to help Carmine through the minor intricacy of formal dress.
"Really, a man your age, who goes to as many formal functions as you do ought to know how to wrangle an ordinary bow tie."
"Never had to learn," Carmine shrugged.
"Mama always tied it when I was little, and at school we never wore bow ties, and when I lived at home again after college, I had Mauvin to help, and since then..."
He ceased his chattering long enough to turn away, check Burt's work in the mirror, and smile.
"And when I was on my own before I met you, I had Carlo make me a few fixed ones."
"I see. So now that you have me, your man-servant..."
"Oh, Burt, you're no servant," Carmine smirked.
"You are, however, my man."
"Thank you," Burt said, and accepted the succeeding kiss.
"I'll be back before midnight. And if they serve that pâté roulade you love, I'll fetch you a few slices home, hey?"
"I'd be ever so grateful. Now, have a good time."
They kissed again at the door of the apartment, and Carmine stepped into the hall whistling happily. Burt closed the door behind him, then wandered into the kitchen.
He was in the mood for a cup of tea.
"Feel any better?" Pauline asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Much," Nunzia said, and reached for Pauline's hand.
"I wish you hadn't tried to fight that woman. Well, I mean that I'm glad you tried to stand up for me..."
"Gotta do what I gotta do. Someone else makes a move on my girl, I at least gotta warn 'em off. Though, I tell ya, I didn't expect her to pack such a wallop."
Ever so gently, Pauline reached over and lifted the damp cloth from Nunzia's face.
"You're gonna have quite the shiner."
"At least that's all. If Marion hadn't come along and toppled that behemoth, I'm afraid I'd have a face like minced meat."
"Well, that's all past now. Think you can sleep?"
"Don't wanna."
After a moment's consideration, Pauline nodded.
"Maybe you shouldn't, at that. I don't think she hit you enough to cause a concussion. Still, might do you good to stay awake a while."
"You gonna stay awake with me?" Nunzia smiled.
"Well, I don't know. I'm a little upset, after all."
"I only... Don't be upset, please? I'll never mix it up with anyone ever again, I swear, if you just stay the night."
"Darling," Pauline sighed, bending low to kiss Nunzia's forehead, "I was teasing you. Of course I'll stay."
Five minutes later, stripped to underwear, Pauline crawled into the bed at Nunzia's side.
"I'm not upset you fought," she reiterated.
"It's just frightening. I've never liked violence."
"Me neither. But, you don't have to like it to be used to it."
"Oh, for heaven's..."
"What's the matter?"
Nola sighed, stood, and slipped a finger delicately into the machine.
"I've got a little jam," she said.
"Funny," Ruby said, "I thought it was a typewriter."
Nola snorted out a rather inelegant laugh, then went back to work easing down the stuck typebars. It took a great deal of time, so that once she at last finished, she slumped back into the chair for a moment, then stood again, snapped off the lamp, and went over to the bed.
"That wrestling match with your Coudren wear you out?" Ruby asked.
"More the writing that did it," Nola said, falling gracelessly onto the bed and resting her head on Ruby's lap.
"What you need is some good rest. Maybe a whole day of it. Tomorrow's Sunday, after all."
"It's a wonderful idea. May just do that. Just rest."
In a moment, Nola was deeply asleep. Smiling, Ruby kissed her cheek, shifted her around to lie properly against the pillows, switched off the bedside lamp, and joined her in sleep.
Posted Oct 15, 2019, 6:38 AM UTC · edited