Cinderella, The Return of Genevieve (4 page)

The Eiffel Tower painted in the
mural of Paris behind the display case.
C’est la java bleue, la java la plus bleue…
Fréhel’s La Java Bleue played softly. She felt so free, elated, and peaceful. She was ending her night of freedom peacefully.

“Mmmmm…”The sweet smell of sugar and bread filled her nose. It was warm like sitting in front of a fire place on a snowy day. Like walking into the kitchen and seeing your mother hovering over the oven. Like Father walking into the house for the first time in weeks and seeing her face. Smile.

The cylinder pastry, all dressed in powdered sugar captured her eye, she liked her lips.

“What will you have?” The clerk had the pastry clamps ready.

“The vanilla éclair, uuhhhmmm, oh, the hazelnut éclair and the butterscotch cheesecake.” Cinderella smiled ear to ear. She could never get the good stuff at home.

She sat at a small
wrought iron floral table for two. At that time she didn’t mind that it was only her. It hadn’t been
only
her in a while. Liza would never allow her to stop at the bakery, Gertrude would, Liza was spiteful that way. People continued to stroll pass, a couple arm in arm. It was funny watching vampires act so human. Centuries ago it would have been odd.

The market was growing silent,
accept for the whine and shake of the subway moving through the tunnel over. A smooth WHOOSH! And a TOOT! TOOT! Echoed. It was close to curfew. An old lady hunched over to reach for her fallen bag. A group of young looking vampires loudly laughing. Most of the time when they were grouped, they were leaving one of the nightclubs. I should have gone there! I wouldn’t mind a dance or two. But she knew she wouldn’t be able to get into one. Clubs had dress codes and her wardrobe was nothing but maid uniforms and shirts splattered with paint. She didn’t have the fancy Victorian dresses or styled clothing that the hip wore. She had rags. “Maybe one day.” She smiled. At least she had today.

The clerk
brought her dessert out with a complimentary cup of coffee. “I didn’t want to waste it. Goes so well with the éclairs. If you need anything let me know.” The clerk bowed before going back to her station. Vampires with customer service skills, it was nice to feel a little human sometimes.

Cinderella took the first bite and closed her eyes to savor the creaminess. The taste of vanilla wasn’t overbearing. It seemed to be perfect.
The vanilla cream, fluffy and light, the bread flaky and buttery. Mmm…good.

“Genevieve?
Genevieve, is that you?” It was an old voice, one she hadn’t heard in years. He waved his friends off and walked through the gate entrance of the café. Cinderella looked up through the strands of her hair, being careful not to show her face and saw Rueben for the first time in possibly 20 years! Wow! She stared him up and down, admiring the double breasted waist coat he wore. His pants were tailored to fit snuggly to his body. His hair big ringlet curls, was long and stopped at his chin, his green eyes were bright. He looked the same of course, vibrant and young.  Eternity, Calvin Klein, still his favorite.

“Rueben?” She let her face show. “How did you know it was me?”
He tapped his finger to his head and smiled. “I forgot about your talent.”

Rueben sat down across from her and just stared. She knew what he was doing, he had the gift of sight
, but could only see the past, and he seen it all. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say. I came back for you when I heard about your father, but they said you were gone.” He reached for her hands, and squeezed them into his.

“Mentally I guess I wasn’t there.”

He nodded his head, face fixed in guilt. “It’s getting close to curfew, let me help you with this and I’ll walk you home.”

“Ok.” She smiled and they finished the dessert.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”

“It doesn’t matter. This is the first time I’ve been out on my own in years. I’m just a prisoner.”

“You can’t live like this, Gen. This isn’t you. How do you tolerate it?”

“What choice do I have? I will not leave that house until it is mine again. It belongs to me.”

“That may take some time, too much time.”

“Time I’m willing to put in.
Time I have. Where have you been?” Steering the conversation in another direction. Talking about the woes of Cinderella would bring her down, when she was feeling so happy about her bit of freedom.

“Everywhere!” Rueben threw his arms into the air. “I go from country to country, setting up and reviving old night clubs.”

“What’s the name of the club you were coming from tonight?”

“Elevate.”

They had rounded the corner of Cinderella’s street and she stopped. “I’m so happy to have seen you tonight.” She grabbed his hands. “I miss your company, you were my best friend.”

“
I
am
your best friend. It’s been a long time, but I not once ever forgot about you. Not once. I’ve thought about you, endlessly, I swear. If I knew what was going on I would have come sooner. As a matter of fact, I thought you were gone, dead. I have been trying to contact you, but everyone failed to reach you. I’ve sent telegrams.”

“Rueben, we don’t say
telegrams
anymore.”

He laughed, “Old habits aren’t so easily broken.”

“I’m sure the letters were intercepted by my Mother. That would explain why she wouldn’t allow me to check the mail.” Cinderella sighed and eyed
her
house. “One day I’ll get it back. It’s only a matter of time. How long will you be in town?”

“
After tonight, I think I’ll stick around. At least till you’re free again. There’s enough work for me in the states. I know we’ve been separated by distance, but I have failed at finding a friend like you. No one has replaced you.”

Cinderella wrapped her arms around Rueben and knew she would think about the old times they shared before Minerva’s reign in the Rabirius’ home. “I don’t know when we will meet again.”

“Don’t worry, we will.” Rueben smiled slyly, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you soon. Well get you back to your old self. Leave it to me!” Cinderella squeezed his hand and then headed to her house. “Genevieve!”

She turned to answer him. “Yes?”

“You know I have no knowledge of the future. However I get the feeling your luck will soon change. Sleep well.” Cinderella blinked and Rueben was gone in an instant. He was always fast, he probably made it to his home before she took the remaining steps into the brownstone.

Chapter Three

Weeks passed since Cinderella’s day off. She managed to elude Patrick when he came to visit Liza. Hilda stayed with the company, while she stayed safely in the kitchen. Cinderella’s mind was at war over the prince. She wanted to think about him and when she did, she’d force herself not to think of him. It was pointless! His interest was in my art and not me! Then again, it was kind-a-fun to think about the ‘what ifs’. Then there was the whole thing with the Sun Room, terrifying. What if Mother could read her thoughts? Or see it in her eyes that she liked the prince. Nightmares haunted her, she’d wake up screaming for her life. In the end, daunting thoughts of the Sun Room, did not steer her mind in the direction it needed. The more she forced thoughts of him out of her mind, the more burdensome they became.

It seemed quite obvious that he had no interest in her or else he woul
d have asked for her. Not that Cinderella wanted him to. Okay she did, but she also valued her life, and didn’t need any negative attention from the witches.

“I need to get out of this house.”
Cinderella fanned herself as if coolness would calm her nerves.

“Take out the trash.” Chef Luis said
, his chef hat leaning to the side, like it were ready to faint from heat stroke. “Just be back in five.” She nodded and grabbed the trash, headed down the hall, her shoes click! Click! Clicking, against the marble. 

The frigid air rushed her as the door opened.
Fresh air was always good for the nerves. Her shoulders sagged as she leaned against the brick wall. What was becoming of her life? How did she let the prince distract her so much? I need to focus. I’ll keep avoiding him and…

“Taking a break?”

“Rueben!” She rushed into him. “How did you get back here?” He pointed up. “The roof.” He could break into anything. Sometimes she thought he could walk through walls.

“How long do you have?”

“Three minutes.”

“Why do you wear your hair this way?” Rueben took his hands and brushed her hair out of her face.

“I’m not allowed to show my face.”

“
You’re beauty is tantalizing. What did Albus see in her?”

Cinderella shrugged. “I don’t know. Father was foolish at times.”

“So I heard, Liza’s dating the prince.”

“Yeah.” Scoffed.

“Hmm…jealous?”

“No!” She snapped. “He’s just…”

“Stop! You fancy yourself a prince!”

“It’s not like that, Rueben, please.”

“I’m kidding with you. But I know the truth…you can trust me.” A simple shrug and smile. “Listen, you have to come with me. Listen before you speak. There’s this dawn club…”

“Those are illegal.”

“Have you honestly changed this much. It’s sickening. We need to get your zest for life back.” Rueben stood back, frowning at Cinderella. His hands were on his hips. “Anyway, you’re coming.”

“How? It’
s impossible to stay awake at those hours. It’s a whole 24hrs, you do know that?”

“Here, take this
,” Rueben reached into the inside of his jacket pocket and pulled out a small bag that contained two red pills, he put the bag in her hand, curling her fingers around the bag. “After you’ve put your masters to sleep, swallow one. I’ll be in your room at 4:15 a. m! Exactly!”

“
Today? Err…Tomorrow? Wait! What about the second pill? I don’t have club clothes, I don’t have any clothes. I can’t go. This is crazy!”

“The second pill is for next time.”

“There won’t even be a first time Rueben! Do you want me dead? You know what will happen if I’m caught.”

“You’re already dead Gen. It’s time to live. See you at 4:15.”

“Rueben!” He scurried up the wall like a spider crab and was gone before she blinked.

“Hey! I said five. You trying to get us both burned?” Chef Luis stood in the doorway
, arms crossed heat still leaning.

Cinderella glanced upward, and then at the chef. “I’m sorry.”

***

“What am I doing?” Cinderella paced back and forth in her room. She stopped in front of her full length mirror and frowned. Jeans and a paint stained t-shirt, this is all I have. I look like a maid, I feel horrible and ugly. Oh gods, what am I doing? At least if I had nice clothes I’d feel a
little better. I can hardly stand to look at myself, no one wants to see me.

Cinderella turned her head towards the
door, as the knob jiggled and opened, Rueben walked in wearing a maroon crush velvet smoking jacket. The lapels were lined with black leather and so were the pockets. Instead of a tie he wore a maroon cravat that was tucked into a black vest—the jacket was tailored to frame his thin body and so were his black dress pants.

An explosion of excitement like a flood, she couldn’t stop smiling. She was really gonna do this.

“You’re dying to play aren’t you?” He grinned a wicked one.

“I’m scared.”

“Forget about your worries, it’s done.”

“I don’t have anything to wear.” Tears
burst from her eyes, thick and red. “I’m not the same person you once knew. These clothes and this room is who I am.”

“Oh Dear, Dear
, you’re still so dramatic. Think of me as your fairy god mother. I have everything you need.” Rueben removed his hand from his back and revealed a garment bag. “Now, I have a few rules. I need to blind fold you.”

Excitement began to overthrow all of Cinderella’s senses
again. She was a fusion of fear and adventure. It’s already done, now go for it! The silk cloth gently pressed against her eyes. “Undress.” She removed the rags that ruled her self-esteem. “Oh my, good thing I bought new under garments. Well, you still have your looks.” And as he began to dress her, he gave her clear and thorough instructions. “Remember what the club scene is like. Do I need to coach you on how to draw your buried self out?”

“No. I think Genevieve is in here somewhere.”

“Well, good put Cinderella away forever. We’re gonna get your life back. All you have to do is fight a little harder and a little more recklessly.”

“Reckless will get me killed.”

“It will give you courage. Besides, you were fighting alone. Now I’m here. Be courageous tonight.”

Rueben untied her blind fold and she looked down. “You thought of everything.” Cinderella was refe
rring to the robe she wore over her clothes. So far she knew it was a short dress, the texture of the material was like braille under fingertips. There was a long train that spread out along the floor, she could feel the weight of the hump that sat and extended out over her behind.

“Hair and make-up, and you’ll be a finished product.”

Cinderella kept her eyes closed as Rueben situated the mirror in front of her. She could feel her skin crawl with anticipation. She had forgotten long ago what it was like to be beautiful and this morning she would be reminded. Feathers swept over her face, at least that’s what it felt like as Rueben applied foundation to her skin. It had been 20 years since she last wore make-up. Twenty years, since she had set foot in a club and had a good time, since she laughed, drank, danced. Tonight she would be reunited with her old self.

“Are you ready for the return of Genevieve?”

“Yes.” She nodded
eagerly, folding her hands in her lap.

“Open your eyes!”
A moment of silence passed. “Gen, come on, open your eyes.”

His reassuring hands
squeezed her shoulders, giving her that extra push,
you can do it.

“Okay.” Feeling childish about her small minor anxiety,
she took a deep breath and opened her eyes. “That’s me.” She stood up and walked to the mirror touching it like, she’d never seen the woman before. Even in her memories, she could not recall a time when she looked so put together, so beautiful. The torso of the dress was black and all lace, it was long sleeve and v neck. A bright ruby sat on her chest. The dress continued to hug her body, stopping mid-thigh. A maroon velvet sash wrapped around her waist and tied in a bow—it sat on the hump above her behind. The train was black and extended out about three extra feet on the floor.

“
Genevieve, I know you’re having a moment but, one, we need to go and two do not cry…make-up.” Rueben tapped his finger to his eye.

Cinderella smiled and held back her tears and instead hugged Rueben and when she pulled back, with a hint of mischief in her eyes, she said. “Let’s go.”

“Let’s. Oh, before I forget. The Masquerade, requires that a mask be worn at all times. Never reveal your identity. And remember, you’re Genevieve tonight.” Before rolling up the garment bag, he handed her a purse and then stuffed the bag and the rest of the evidence into one of her cupboards.

“Why the mask?”

“Well it’s like a ball you know, but mainly…well have you heard the humans say, ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas…it’s practically the same thing with the mask and all, however, ours is much cooler. That’s what makes Masquerade so fun! The mystery…I have one last thing for you. Reach into your purse.”

“A cellphone?”

“Yes, in case we lose each other.”

“I’m not allowed to have…”

“I thought we discussed leaving the slave mentality behind? Keep it on silent inside the house, under your pillow. Check it every day. If you want, give your number out to a few deserving men tonight. It will give you a reason to wake up.”

“I wake up just fine.”

“I’m sure you don’t wake up happy.” Rueben laid his bony hands on either side of Cinderella’s shoulders and frowned. “No worries, we’ll change that. There’s always a way. Let’s go Genevieve!”

***

Cinderella couldn’t remember the last time she was out so early—had to be when she was human, 92 years ago, the sun was different then. Brighter, hotter, it always felt good on her skin. She’d lay in the field for hours until her skin was the color of toast. The sun was still so distant, hidden behind gray clouds, barely peeking out.

S
treets, like black ink, slick with dew. New York was the city that never sleeps, but it had its moments where silence prevailed over the usual hustle and bustle. It was a nice calm, peaceful. She inhaled letting the chill fill her lungs. “This is nice.” Genevieve smiled up at Rueben. He had a sharp jaw line, and a proud look most mistook as arrogance. “I’m glad you’re back in my life…” She drew in a laborious breath. “Please don’t leave me again.”

His hair swept against his face as he walked.
“Now that I’ve found you, I’m here to stay.” Rueben jerked his head back, his hair fanning up and out of his face. “Like I said, I was never able to replace you. I think once you’ve been to hell and back with someone, the bond is permanent you know? We just understand each other better than anyone else.” He lowered his head and pressed his lips against her forehead. “We are truly kindred spirits Gen, I believe that in another life we were something special to one another. Two lobsters…”

“Lobsters?” Genevieve laughed, Rueben always had ridiculous beliefs. “Still believe in that reincarnation bit, huh?”

“I do.” He smiled proudly.

“How do you explain our current situation?”

“There will be another situation, perhaps we’ll be lion and lioness next. Prowling the African plains.” Wiggling his eyebrows.

“Or locked up in a cage for humans to speculate.”

He shrugged. “Perhaps.”

T
hey were the only two on the street, holding swinging hands, smiling at one another. Not like lovers smile at one another, but as friends. Friends who had long been a part. I’ve got a friend, Cinderella thought, not only a friend but an old friend who I really missed. She squeezed Rueben’s hand and then stepped closer to him to rest her head on his shoulder. She was calm and relaxed, enjoying the peace that surrounded them. Could there be a God up there, granting her wish, caring about her happiness? She had always believed in a God, but wondered why He would allow such an abomination to roam this earth—if in fact they were an abomination. Perhaps they were cursed with this vampirism, for some past sin, from a former life? She didn’t know, nor did she care at that moment, because life, though scary and dangerous, was good.

“Remember when we first met? You were a fresh baby vamp, roaming the street hungry, hallow and grim.” She reached up and stroked his cheek. “Now you’ve come to rescue me.”

“Fate is a tricky whore isn’t she... I feel horrible for leaving you, I just wish I was there, you wouldn’t be this way. Your life would be…different.”

“Don’t. How would you know, my life would come to this? I hardly believe my father would have married Miserable Minerva, had he known her true intentions. This is no one’s fault but hers.”

“And for that we must play her game smarter.”

“No deed, whether good or evil, goes unpunished.
” Genevieve smiled.

“I knew you were in there Gen
.” He winked at her. “Well, it looks like it’s time for us to descend.”

Genevieve watched as Rueben lifted the sewage lid, “We’re going into the sewage tunnels?”