Once Upon a Midnight Dreary

dith Fitzgerald, 'Eddie' to some, 'Edie' to most. Currently working on the next Great American Novel, I'll let you know as soon as it's done.

[edith-fitzgerald]

Pride & Prejudice

[luis-romano]

He hated this. He hated not being able to tell her the truth. To be by her side and not have to worry. To be so fucking concerned for her well being that he knew the best option was the only option. 

“What Edith? What do you think this is?” He squinted at her, his arms crossed as he tried to square off in front of her. She needed to hate him. She didn’t want him around. She didn’t need him. She was too good for that sort of thing… and any life Luis could ever give her. She needed to stop calling him Nemo.

“I have bills to pay, a family that needs me. I’m important to them and I don’t need to be havin’ all this baggage… all this pressure. I told you from the get go, I ain’t no good at this.”

He wanted to run, to get as far away from Edie as he could in that moment. She’d never pressured him, she’d never forced affection down his throat, but it was the only thing he could think of. It’s the only thing he knew how to do.

[edith-fitzgerald]

Edith felt the sour taste rise in her mouth and looked away. She knew what it was, what at least she thought it was, but she wasn’t fool enough to buy into his sudden change of heart, not after he’d let her see behind that tough guy act. For the first time since she spotted him, she noticed that he was wearing the old slicks she’d first met him in, and gave a small smile.

“You know what it is.” She said, her voice so quiet she wasn’t even sure she meant him to hear it. “So you’re deciding that I don’t need you.” She said louder, looking back up at him, her tight smile back in place. “I thought you’d have learned by now that no one makes my decisions for me. You want to use it as an excuse, that you have better things to do, that you’re not important to me...Tell yourself whatever lies you need to, Luis, but don’t act like you’re not running away. You’re doing this for yourself, for your peace of mind, not mine.” Reaching out, she touched one of the buttons on his jacket before turning and heading back into the shop without another word. She didn’t want to chance slapping him in public.

[w0lfst4r]

Black and white Troian

[edith-fitzgerald]

Pride & Prejudice

[luis-romano]

“I uh… well you see…” Luis fretted, his words low and mumbled as he stumbled back a couple steps. He hadn’t expected to look her in the eye today, much less have her words sweetly lace their way down his spine. She was only saying hello, but the words bound his knees together tightly, leaving the once confident man feeling boozy as he swayed in place.

“Looking at you through the window is much safer than actually saying words.” Luis stuttered, finding himself nervous as he slicked down the hair at the nape of his neck. “It’s been awhile Fitz. An’ I’m sorry. Duty calls an’ all and it’s hard to get by here before you leave with the late hours I keep.”

He hoped his words came out genuine, but they were paper thin as they left his lips; his wavering gaze not helping much in the way of sincerity.

[edith-fitzgerald]

Any other time, she would have found his uncharacteristic loss of words oddly adorable. Now, however, after his obvious absence it only gave her a sense of foreboding that put her on edge.

“You sound like you’re expecting me to bite, Mr. Romano.” She mused airily. “I wonder what might have given you that impression.” Watching him squirm, she could feel herself begin to simmer, aggravation and indignance in response to his gall and indifference. Looking away, she chewed on her lip for a long moment, her eyes scanning the sidewalk and the regular hustle and bustle about town, no one the wiser that the gangster was breaking this young woman’s heart. As if in response to her moment of weakness, the desire to call him on his horseshit overwhelmed her and she turned her dark gaze back to his.

“I know fibbing is second nature to you, and I’ve never minded that much - you’re well aware that I’ll call you on it either way. But don’t come here with that look on our face and expect me to believe you suddenly don’t have time for me, Nemo. Don’t expect me to play along with that because we both know what it is.”

[edith-fitzgerald]

Pride & Prejudice

[luis-romano]

He was stalling.

He always stalled when it came to her these days. Even when more than anything he wanted to hold her in his arms. Even when more than anything he knew that he would be the reason for the smile on her face.

Even when he knew that she was the only one capable of keeping him calm.. and grounded… and warm.

He still stalled.

As he watched her through the corner of the window, Luis could tell that Edith was preoccupied and not in the ‘nose stuck in a book’ sort of way. Her brow was furrowed, as if she were shuffling through scenarios. Attempting to re-configure algorithms, or solve the hardest puzzle in the world.

If he walked in there, his pact would be over, and the potential of putting Edie in harm’s way would manifest itself tenfold. It was how the mafia worked. How enemies worked, and it was a trade he’d found himself bound to for life. Which meant she could no longer take part. Her safety meant far more to Luis than happiness ever could.

“Mister!!” He heard the young boy caw, his stubby hands flailing the Montford Gazette like a flag in the wind. “Mister!! Would you care to buy a paper?!” He was screeching, his shrill voice loud enough to hear two blocks down the street, let alone through the thin glass window that separated Luis from Edie.

“Keep it down, will ya?” Luis spat, pinning his back against the side of Fitzgerald’s. Quickly, he pulled out a nickle and snatched the paper from the young boy’s hand. “ ‘Ere…. Go get some candy or somethin’.”

[edith-fitzgerald]

The slender brunette had been considering the book in her hands for some time, a frown on her lips, her expression contemplative. When she heard the paper boy screaming outside her door she rolled her eyes and looked away from the fresh copy of 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Edward had told the runt several times now to sell away from the store as Fitzgerald’s also offered copies of the Montford Gazette. As she set aside the book and stood, brushing her skirt off as she headed towards the front, she recalled the conversation she’d had with Edward about expanding the store a bit - with the renovations they had the room after all. 

Slowing once she caught sight of the boy outside the window and to whom he was speaking, she paused in the open door, the newly come spring air cool and welcome in the building. Leaning her shoulder against the doorway, her lips twitched into the ghost of a smile as Luis rounded to peer into the window and froze as he caught sight of her. 

“Hey, stranger.” She said lightly, though her expression was guarded and bemused. “Were you going to come in, or were you just going to peep on me through the window?”

[edith-fitzgerald]

Pride & Prejudice

Edie had been able to return to the shop only a week after what she was inwardly referring to as ‘the incident’. Surprisingly, Luis had been the one with the answer to hiding what remained of her bruises, though he was stubbornly vague in regards to where he’d learned how to apply makeup. It had been almost two weeks ago that she’d bid farewell to the Capo. He’d come calling a couple days later, visiting her at Fitzgerald’s, to make plans for that Sunday - though he’d cancelled them a few days after that. She’d gone till Saturday without seeing or speaking with him and when she’d called around, he’d been short, his voice strange as if he were distracted, though he’d promised to call her later. When she finally called around a couple days after that, she’d been told - in short order - that he was tied up. And when she tried one more time, a woman had answered and she’d slammed the receiver down without a word. Now it was Saturday again and instead of taking the day for herself as Edward usually did, she was surrounded by several fresh crates of the spring releases. As always, she refused to remain idle in times of duress.

[edith-fitzgerald]

Across The Sea || Ludie

[luis-romano]

He couldn’t make the promise aloud. Not when he was in this particular line of work, but the feel of Edie’s cheek pressed against his had Luis nodding yes anyway. He was capable of keeping his nose mostly clean and only doing what was asked of him by his superiors. 

Sweetly, he wrapped his arms around the young woman, his need to hold her, to keep her safe was almost unbearable. Luis was aware that sweet moments were just that… moments, and moments were history. Still, that hadn’t stopped him from attempting to promise Edith the world. 

“What do you say about a game of cards and some time spend close to one another?” He muttered in her ear. Slowly, Luis was realizing that it wasn’t Edie who needed him, but he who needed to even head and warm heart.

[edith-fitzgerald]

“That sounds just ducky.” Edie replied, pulling back just enough to tenderly press her lips to his. It was rather astounding when she considered it. Luis was nothing like...well, not totally like her first impression of him. She could see him changing before her eyes but for the life of her couldn’t say if it was a good thing or not. She liked him as he was when they first met, and she liked him now...more than liked him, if she was being honest with herself. But she was afraid that these changes were made to appeal to her, and she had no idea how to tell him that they were unnecessary.

“Luis?” She sighed, pulling away a bit. When she looked up into his dark brown eyes, she almost said it. I love you. And it wasn’t a proclamation, but a reassurance. She loved him, no matter what he was.

[edith-fitzgerald]

Across The Sea || Ludie

[luis-romano]

“Ida killed ‘em you given me the chance.” Luis muttered, his heavy palms bracing the young woman’s knee as he inspected the scar. These little things added to her character. She seemed to damn proper half the time, that he wasn’t sure she had a rough bone in her body. But if there was one thing Luis was all too aware of, it was the fact that she’d endured much worse than the shiny little scar on her knee, and deep down, Romano knew he was to blame for most of it.

“You think you could do me a favor Fitz?” Luis asked as he exhaled a plume of smoke. He couldn’t look at her yet as he flicked his cigarette, not when he knew that she would be defiant, as she always was.

“You think you can keep that pretty little head a yours out of trouble for me?  I know you wouldn’t go for  no body guard, but Edie…”

His words trailed off, his jaw clenching as he finally forced himself to face her. Gently, he pulled the hem of her skirt over her knees again, not bothering to move his hands once he was finished.

“You know I can’t let that happen again.”

[edith-fitzgerald]

“I do not doubt that.” Edie murmured, her fingers lightly tracing along his forearm as she watched him carefully inspect her scar. At his request for a favor, however, she withdrew her hands and leaned backward on them, considering him warily.

“Perhaps.” She sighed. Chewing on her lip as he made his request, she let him struggle through it without interruption.

“Luis, I’m hardly a magnet for trouble.” She argued softly. “That was just poor luck and carelessness.” Recognizing the look on his face she quickly tacked on, “Even so, I will do my best to avoid trouble.” She raised her right hand. “Promise.” Her leg hooked around his him and she pulled him close so she could rest her cheek on his shoulder. 

“You know the same goes for you though, right?”

[edith-fitzgerald]

Across The Sea || Ludie

[luis-romano]

“Oh I have an idea or two.” His voice filled with gravel, it’s tone darker with every step toward the car. Her eyes were warm, but calculating somehow. As if she were attempting to figure out some sort of elaborate arithmetic problem that Luis knew he’d never understand.

“Hows about a game of show and tell?” He questioned, plopping the young woman on the trunk of his Studebaker. “An not the pervy kind either, Fitz. I’m talkin’ good clean fun.” 

Romano plucked a cigarette from the front pocket of his linen shirt. It seemed Edie was having an effect on his dressing habits these days. So long were the nights filled with ebony jackets and wide brimmed bowlers. These days he looked forward to the crispness of light cotton shirts and a pair of worn in docs. All the easier to twirl Fitz around in. 

“So. I’ll go first. Scar above my eyebrow? This one right here?” He pointed at it with his lit cigarette, wiggling his eyebrows. “You’d think I got the shiv, but nah, Frankie cracked a plate over my head when we was little tykes. Had me bleedin’ all over the Capone mansion marble. You shoulda seen Lucian… redder than a beet that guy.”

[edith-fitzgerald]

The brunette’s eyes went wide at the information and she laughed. Her fingers traced the scar lightly before she leaned forward, holding his head in place, and planted a soft kiss on the spot.

“Okay, my turn.” Pulling a knee up, she lifted her skirt just enough to show the skin above her knee. There was a spattering of flesh paler than the rest and she tapped it lightly. “Hot wax.” She explained. “Edward was in town, and he had this absolutely wretched friend whose happiest pastime was acting like a baboon. I was sixteen and Ed was the only member of my family aside from my gran that I could bare. It was an accident born of carelessness, but an accident none the less.” She shook her head and sighed. “I thought Edward was going to kill him.”

[edith-fitzgerald]

Across The Sea || Ludie

[luis-romano]

If there was one thing Luis hated more than the Irish, it was how ticklish he was. It was a weakness, one that Edith so easily exposed when the tips of her fingers found his ribcage.

“Oh for the love of God!” Luis bellowed, his knees vibrating as he attempted to keep his balance. “One of us is gonna end up hurt if you…” He squeezed his eyes shut, unable to keep the laughter from his tone. “I’m not responsible for my limbs!” The words ran out of his mouth, no breaths between their syllables as he twitched in her grasp. He was hardly capable of breathing, but even through all of this heinous torture, he didn’t want to flee. He couldn’t leave Edie. Even if that condemned him to a life of tickle fights and vulnerability.

Then he thought of it, the only way to stop this diabolical menace in her tracks. Luis had always considered himself quick, and even under her curse he found he could move. Swiftly he swept his arm behind her knee caps, knocking the slender woman straight into his grasp. She was compromised now, her fate in his hands should she try to wage war on his sides once more.

“You gave me no choice Fitzgerald.” He growled, the fabric of her dress slick against his palms.

[edith-fitzgerald]

Edie cackled as he tried to squirm from her grasp, her fingers dancing tortuously along his sides and beneath his arms. “What are you goin’ to do about it, huh? Huh?!” She asked in her best - ad admittedly terrible - imitation of him.

All too suddenly the ground was rushing towards her and she gave a gasp when he caught her. Quickly she wrapped her arms around his neck, all too familiar with her cousin dropping her when they were children.

The shocked look melted away and she gave him a small smirk as her fingers threaded into the soft hair at the back of his neck. “What are you going to do about it Romano?” She murmured. 

The whole thing was dangerous, and for reasons other than Luis’ employment. They were a different species, and while she didn’t care, she knew that that meant a wealth of trouble in their future. It meant hurt, and Edie was nothing if not vehemently self protective. 

[edith-fitzgerald]

Across The Sea || Ludie

[luis-romano]

“You’re right.” Luis offered, a smile warming his face as he watched Edie. “I was a loose man looking for loose broads with loose morals. I wasn’t looking for somethin’ special. I wasn’t looking for a dame to settle down with. I was looking for a good time. Something to keep my mind off of work for a bit.”

He ran a hand through his hair, forcing the ink black strands away from his face as he attempted to explain himself further. The old Luis wasn’t concerned with relationships. In fact, he figured the farther he was from them, the better off he and his counterpart would be. The mafia was a dangerous religion. A profession that wasn’t for the weak of heart or those that were committed to another. The mob was your wife. It was your life.

“”But then you happened. You strange bird. You just show up outta nowhere and knock me on my ass. Leaving me bewildered by your charm and that smirk that makes my whole body warm. I chased all that tail because there was always something missing, Edie. Something just beyond my reach until now.”

His grin broke into laughter as he pulled the woman closer, his hand reaching out to tuck a tuft of hair behind Edith’s ear.

“I have to admit though, your jealousy is turning me on…it looks good on you.”

[edith-fitzgerald]

Edie had, in no way, been actively seeking any sort of declaration from him, but that was one if she ever heard it. She could practically feel her face going from pink to red and dropped her gaze in an uncharacteristically demure gesture.

At his teasing, she looked up at him shyly, fingering the buttons on his shirt as she slowly brushed her hands up his chest. “Is that so?” She asked. For someone who prided herself on being an articulate speaker and always having an answer ready, she was at a loss of what to say to him after his gentle chiding. How ineloquent would a ‘likewise’ sound after that?

So, she grasped at the straw that she knew he would approve of. The straw that wouldn’t leave them stumbling over words, or to an awkward and silent drive back home. 

“I never knew you went warm like that.” She admitted, the shyness turning to slyness. Her face hovered close to his and when she spoke again, she tilted her head up so that her lips brushed his jaw. “See, I don’t go warm when I see you. I just get this tingle, that starts here-” Her hands hand wrapped around his waist, her fingers slipping deftly under his shirt so that her nail was in place at the small of his back, “And ends here.” With a quick jerk, she ran her nail up his back, barely hard enough to hurt. His shirt had rucked up when she’d done that, but if the look on his face was any sign, it had done the trick. 

“And then it sort of feels like this...” She whispered against his lips as her nail trailed leisurely over his shoulder. He was undoubtedly expecting some of the same. 

What he got instead was a tickle attack to his sides. 

[edith-fitzgerald]

Across The Sea || Ludie

[luis-romano]

Tension seemed to rise like smoke from a fire as Edie spoke. Her words were kind, but he sure as hell had no intention of swallowing them. They were sure to be filled with venom if he did.

“You’re damn right I like pretty girls.” He huffed, letting go of Edith a together to stand, like towering over her was going to do something to help get his point across.

“But that’s not all a woman needs in order to be attractive. I like a woman who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. A broad that’s bright, who knows about the word and finds pleasure in the pursuit of knowledge. One that’s not afraid of a dash of danger I her tea. A woman who’s main focus in life isn’t if her makeup is perfect but that she has made a difference in the world. No matter how big or small.”

He was slightly breathless as he pulled Edie from the ground, his hands fully enveloping hers before they found her waist.

[edith-fitzgerald]

Her brown eyes went wide as he stood, an apology on her lips, though she was of the mind that no one should apologize for feelings they simply couldn’t help. Edie had always figured herself as plain; a narrow waist, small bust, and big nose did not a pretty girl make. But it had never really bothered her. There had always been some schmuck or another beating down her father’s door to try and win her hand. It was the money, she had always, unwaveringly figured.

But what good was money to a Capo?

And then, he had her blushing like some vapid school girl smitten with the quarterback. She stared down the buttons of his shirt, of how his chest rose and fell quickly as if he was trying to reign in that terrifying temper of his. 

“I guess you had pretty loose standards then, huh?” She said, almost instantaneously regretting her words before she shook her head, her hair falling in front of her face and she looked away for a long moment, towards the city’s skyline. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.” Then she relented, “Well, I did, but only because you’ve been honest about it.” She said with a morose little chuckle. “I get it though,” Edie nodded, long lashes brushing her cheeks before she looked up at him. “I’m not pretty and you’re not perfect, but we work. And that’s what matters. I’m just disappointed with myself is all.” She wrinkled her nose. “I never thought I was the jealous type. Now any time I pass that pampered princess I’m gonna wanna introduce her face to the sidewalk.”

[edith-fitzgerald]

Across The Sea || Ludie

[luis-romano]

Luis’ brow furrowed as he noticed Edie’s demeanor change a bit. He wasn’t used to dealing with emotions, but as he watched the playful smile on his mate’s face change to something a bit more melancholy, the capo found himself wanting to fix it. He could feel his heart sink as she spoke, his own face growing sallow as his hand moved from her thigh to her wrist.

“Hey… did I say somethin’, do somethin’ wrong? I thought we were swapping war stories. I- did I upset you?”

Luis’ words were filled with worry as he turned to face Edie, his frown apparent as he watched her face for change. He wasn’t sure what needed to be done to get her back to good, but something inside Luis had him fretting more than he ever had over any other woman he’d ever met. 

“Tell me what I can do to fix it.” He huffed, annoyed with himself for not knowing what he’d done to change her attitude.

[edith-fitzgerald]

Edie’s cheeks went red as he grabbed her wrist and she turned her hand so that she was holding his as well, a cool smile on her lips. 

Deep breath, Fitz. She thought carefully to herself. It was so easy for her to get caught up in her emotions, to be a tidal wave when she needed to be calm waters. Normally she wouldn’t care who she rained her words down upon, but this was different. He was different and, for him, she would need to be as well.

“It’s nothing, darling, I’m just being silly is all.” She assured him, kissing his absurdly cute nose - or at least attempting to before hers bumped into his and she drew back again, turning her face away. Georgia Reed didn’t have a humongous beak. Georgia Reed had curves and a saunter that made men break their necks for a second peek. Her chest felt tight as she chewed on her lip and looked down at the wreck of a typewriter and ink on her hands. 

Georgia Reed probably played with kittens and baked cookies in her spare time. Even if she was a - as Luis put it - dead fish in the sack, how could she compare. 

“So you liked pretty girls, huh? What changed that? It couldn’t be my graceful attitude.” She scoffed, looking at him sourly. 

[edith-fitzgerald]

Across The Sea || Ludie

[luis-romano]

Luis watched as Edie tinkered with the old typewriter, his hand still splayed across her thigh as he listened to her spin her tale. He chuckled, wondering what Edie had done to occupy her time in that attic for a week. 

“So he never came back around after that?” He questioned as he handed her the tiny wrench.

“I guess it’s my turn for storytime.” With a grin, Luis pondered, a sly grin on his face as he remembered his tryst with Georgia, one of the lead ragdolls from a few years ago.

“You know I was never much for settling down. Just a few years back, I had a thing with Georgia Reed, ya know, the dancer from the Peabody? It was supposed to be a secret, and it was for a while. I had no qualms being with the girl, be she was so damn scared that Dickey would have my hide and hers if he found out about us between the sheets.”

He cleared his throat, blushing a bit as the memories drifted up from the depths of his mind. For some reason sharing them with Edie seemed more intimate than anything he actually did with Georgia. Everything with Edie did.

“But I couldn’t help myself. She was the bees knees. The gal every man dreamed of, and for some reason she let me in. I tell ya, I know it wasn’t for the conversation, but she left me puff my chest out.”

He took a sip of his water, his head down as he continued his story.

“Problem was, we weren’t compatible. She was a flake, and even worse a dead fish in the sack. The worst I ever had, I tell ya. I was the cat who ate the canary in the beginning, but after a while it just felt like I’d eaten some bad clams or somethin’.”

[edith-fitzgerald]

“Well, his parents didn’t.” Edie admitted, trying to ignore the way her insides seemed to squirm at the contact of his hand on her thigh. “They were proud people and didn’t take kindly to their son being stood up. His father accused mine of setting them up to have a laugh because they were new money. Which, admittedly, I wouldn’t put it past my parents, but that wasn’t the case.” After staring at a bent pin, she fiddled with it, pressing at it till it slowly began to straighten out. “I did bump into the young man a few months later. He was happily married, though that didn’t seem to stop his hands from finding their way to my backside.” She rolled her eyes.

At first, a little smile played around her lips, noting his past tense comment about settling down. Then, the smile became plastered. She knew of Georgia Reed, knew what she looked like, what she sang like and her reputation. Carefully, Edie made sure to focus on the typewriter, though she was no longer making any progress. 

“Sounds awful, however did you cope?” She asked with a snort. In retrospect, she would recognize that she was being jealous, but she wasn’t acknowledging that fact now. “I think you have a thirst for trouble, you know that? I’m sure it didn’t hurt that the girl was beautiful, but she was a policeman’s girl too? Now, that was just too much for you to pass up.” Her lips puckered into a pout. “If you’re waiting for Edward to step up on my behalf, you’re going to be waiting a long time.” 

[prettylittleliarspllx-blog]

[edith-fitzgerald]

Across The Sea || Ludie

“Okay, I’ve got one.” Edie said as she picked up the delicate tool from beside the remains of her grandmother’s typewriter. “When I was sixteen, my parents set me up with this God awful young man, I think his name was Brent or something of the like. His parents were filthy rich, and I mean that quite literally. His father was a coal tycoon. Anyway...” 

The young couple sat upon a hill nearby Luis’ spot, a tree sheltering them from the early afternoon sun. It was a pleasant day, with a breeze to cool them and the remains of a picnic on the blanket behind them. 

“Anyway, he was a pig. I can’t recall if he was handsome, because if he was, his personality destroyed it. No tact, whatsoever. A complete leacher - he even made my father uncomfortable, I could tell. But was that enough for them to turn down the offer? Nooo. His mother insisted that I call her Mama.” She put on a hoity upper class accent. “To which I embarrassed her by replying in French. Apparently, she’s a fan of the country, but not enough to learn it’s, and I quote, ‘barbaric language’.” Edie rolled her eyes and twisted and a screw. “I wrote a letter saying that I was running to Bora Bora to be a missionary and then I hid in the attic for almost a week.” She laughed. 

[famousgirlsgallery]

[edith-fitzgerald]

The Truth Will Set You Free

[luis-romano]

Luis was spent, his entire body liquid as he slid next to Edie. He’d never experienced something like this before. Never had he realized what making love was and that it different to his random trysts with other women. For a brief moment he felt human, alive in a way that he’d never thought possible. 

His senses were vibrant, the light brighter, her skin softer, the smell of burnt food wafting through his nose just as Luis turned to kiss Edie gently.

“OF FOR FUCKS SAKE!!”  He yelped, his bare body shooting off of the bed as if pushed by one of it’s springs. He flew, his feet barely hitting the ground as he raced toward the kitchen to fling the oven door open. Black smoke billowed out, his eyes burning as he rummaged for a pot holder of some sort to pull the remains of his lunch from the almost enflamed oven. He found one, his eyes dribbling tears as he yanked the pan out the black pass a stark contrast from what he just experienced.

[edith-fitzgerald]

Edie jumped in fright as he yelled, sitting up hastily and watching him scramble out of the room. She pulled the sheet off of her bed, realizing now what the smell was and nearly tripped over their scattered clothes. Hysterical and happy laughter bubbled up out of her as she scampered after him, wrapping herself in the sheet and following him into the kitchen.

“Whoops.” She exclaimed, reaching over the sink while holding the sheet around her with one hand as she opened the window. The brunette picked up a towel and began waving it towards the window, snorting with laughter as Luis dumped the pan into the kitchen sink. The look on his face did nothing to stifle her giggles and she could barely find it in her to care as the banging began on the door. 

“Miss Fitzgerald?! Is everything allright? We smell burning!” Her neighbor, Frank or Fred or something like that called through the door. She nearly tripped on the sheet, her voice thick with laughter as she called back. “Oh, everything’s quite alright! Just burnt lunch!” She cackled.