Page 57
“Keep making my brother happy,” Rowena said, “and we’ll call it even.”
“I… I’ll try.” Jimmy blushed.
Maury returned, setting a small jewelry box on the counter. It was round, made of white porcelain, and had red roses painted on the lid. “Go on. It’s all yours, kid.”
Sliding his hands around the jewelry box, Jimmy held it close. He could remember it sitting on top of his mother’s dresser. Remembered watching her dip into it to get ready to go off to work or sometimes dressing up for date night with his dad. His memories of her were fading as the years went by, no matter how much he tried to cling to every last one. This little jewelry box was a treasure, not just for what it held but because of the memories it carried.
Jimmy’s eyes grew damp. “Thank you. Really.”
Rowena kissed his cheek with a loud smooching sound. “Aw, come on. Don’t get all mushy on me. Better make sure it’s all there.” She cast a teasing glare at Maury. “Can’t trust people nowadays.”
Maury rolled his eyes, and Jimmy chuckled 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 maybe that diamond ring, there really isn’t much here. 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 laughed. “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 squinted as she tried to make it out. “Looks like initials. RL. Oh, for Rowena Legrand!” She giggled, handing the ring back over to Jimmy.
He laughed and put the ring back in the jewelry box. Glancing at the numerous clocks Maury had hanging up, 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 charming 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 brows rising in surprise. “It’s a music joint still, right?”
“Maury.” Jimmy’s ears burned. “Nah, come on.”
Rowena was intrigued. “Oh Jimmy! Can you sing?”
“In the shower!” Jimmy insisted. “It’s nothing special.”
“Don’t fuckin’ listen to him. Sings like a bird,” Maury said to Rowena. “Kid is talented. Real fuckin’ talented. Give him an audition, you’ll see.”
“Guess we’ll find out.” Rowena grinned. “Come on. Let’s get going, Jimmy. I wanna see what you’ve got.”
“Oh God.” Jimmy groaned, clutching the jewelry box 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 warned.
“I don’t intend on anyone breaking anything so much as a nail,” Rowena replied sweetly. “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 ogled Rowena’s departing rear.
She put an extra swing in her hips as she walked out just for him—Jimmy could tell—as she waved farewell. “Bye, Maury!”
Jimmy heard Maury cackling all the way out to the limo, still clinging to the jewelry box as they got in the back seat.
