Maury rolled his eyes, and Jimmy laughed as he lifted up the lid. There was a string of pearls, his parents’ wedding rings, and an assortment of costume jewelry. He picked up every piece, admiring each one.
Rowena looked skeptical. Other than the pearls and perhaps the diamond engagement ring, there didn’t appear to be very much of value. “You seriously let Jimmy pawn all of this for fifteen grand?”
“Hey, that one ring in there is worth twice that,” Maury scoffed. “I ain’t gonna do Jimmy like that.”
Jimmy frowned. “What ring?”
Maury poked in the jewelry box, picking up a tarnished gold ring with a large red gemstone. It was a man’s ring, thick and intricately detailed. There was dirt and grime crusted all in the detailed carvings, and Jimmy couldn’t quite make out what they were.
“That is a two-carat ruby,” Maury said with a laugh. “Thirty large, easy.”
Jimmy didn’t remember this particular ring. Maybe it had belonged to a grandfather or a great uncle. He passed it over to Rowena for inspection.
“Oh! It’s engraved,” Rowena purred excitedly, her eyes narrowing as she tried to make it out. “Looks like initials. RL. Ooo, for Rowena Legrand!” She giggled, handing the ring back over to Jimmy.
He laughed and put the ring back in the jewelry box. Glancing up at the numerous clocks Maury had hanging, he said, “Okay, it’s twelve-thirty. How late exactly are we planning to be?”
“As late as we wanna,” Rowena said smugly, flashing Maury a sweet smile. “Jimmy starts his new job today.”
“Doin’ what?”
“We still gotta figure that out,” Jimmy admitted, “but it’s down at La Belle et la Bête. I could wait tables or something—”
“Why don’t you get your ass up on stage and sing?” Maury said, his bushy brows rising in surprise. “It’s a music joint still, right?”
“Maury.” Jimmy’s ears burned. “Nah, come on.”
Rowena looked intrigued, purring, “Ohhhh, Jimmy! Can you sing?”
“In the shower!” Jimmy replied quickly. “It’s nothing special.”
“Don’t fuckin’ listen to him. Sings like a little bird,” Maury said to Rowena. “Kid is talented. Real fuckin’ talented. Give him an audition, you’ll see.”
“Mmm, guess we’ll find out,” Rowena said with a grin. “Come on. Let’s get going, Jimmy. I wanna see what you’ve got.”
“Oh, God,” Jimmy protested, clutching the jewelry box tightly to his chest as Rowena grabbed his arm. He glanced back at Maury as Rowena led him to the door, calling out, “Hey! I’ll call you later! Since I have a phone now! Bye!”
“See ya round, kid! And hey, Miss Legrand? You’re a real fine lady, but I meant what I fuckin’ said,” Maury said with a charming smile.
“I don’t intend on anyone breaking anything so much as a nail,” Rowena said in reply. “I’ll see you around, Maury.”
“Well, it’s a damn shame you gotta go, but it’s mighty fine to watch you leave.” Maury tipped his head as he shamelessly gawked at Rowena’s departing rear.
She put an extra swing in her hips as she walked out just for him, Jimmy could tell, as she cheerfully chirped, “Bye, Maury!”
Jimmy heard Maury cackling all the way out to the limo, still clinging to the jewelry box as they got in the backseat.
Rowena offered out her hand, saying, “Here. I’ll put it in my purse if that’s okay? I promise I’ll keep it safe until we go home tonight.”
“Sure,” Jimmy said, reluctantly handing it over. He watched Rowena wrap it up in a thick scarf and gently tuck it away. “Thank you, seriously.”
“Stop thanking me all the damn time,” Rowena laughed. “It’s not really that big of a deal. If you wanna make it up to me somehow, audition for me.”
“Fine,” Jimmy said, sinking down into the seat. “But trust me, I’m not that great.”
“Mmm. We’ll see,” Rowena chuckled, pouring them drinks to sip on their way to the club. Jimmy was already feeling a bit of a buzz, grateful for the alcohol to soothe his nerves. He hadn’t sung in front of an audience in a very long time.
La Belle et la Bête was a beautiful theater, and even in the daytime the lights of the marquis were incredible. Jimmy was excited to finally see what it looked like on the inside.
