"You know what? Felix and I passed this very nice looking French place the other day. Little in the corner New York place. A hole in the wall! Why don't we go there? It feels so authentic. I wonder if it's really French food? Do you think so? They say those small places are always good."

Genesis was calling to me from the living room. Of course he wanted to go to a French place. Hadn't he learned anything from Carabella's? Hadn't he liked the tortellini?

"Oh, I don't know. I kind of wanted to go to Norman Rockwell's. Cha Cha hasn't been there yet, and it's something you might like," I called back, mussing a towel in my hair. Like always, Genesis had come an hour early, never late to a party and never late to anything. He'd probably be early to his own funeral. He'd shocked the shit out of me by knocking on my door at 9am when we were supposed to be going out at 10:30. So, my mistake, he'd actually been an hour and a half early. And poor Cha Cha. He must have picked him up at 7, I had no doubt. Feeling rude, I'd made them wait while I showered since I'd been in bed.

"Norman Rockwell's?! The artis-!"

"No, no, no," I chuckled. "No relation. That's just the owner's name."

"Oh. What kind of food is it?"

"It's a del- deli." I yawned mid-word and flicked the light off in my bathroom. I crossed the living room in a towel.

"Cold cuts, you mean? Sandwiches?"

The way Genesis said 'sandwiches' didn't sound very promising. I didn't want to say it, but he'd sounded a little snotty. "No, it's not cold cuts. You'll see what it is. You like BLT's, right? They make great ones. I personally like their prosciutto. They make really nice breakfast sandwiches, too, but it will be too late for that."

"Pro-soo-toh," Cha Cha repeated after me, a little muffled from the living room. I had to giggle. I leaned over to my bureau in my closet, looking for pants and a shirt, making sure to keep the tops of my arms pinched so my towel wouldn't fall.

"Pro-shoo-toh!" I corrected to him.

"Pro-shoo-toh!"

I couldn't contain my merriment. Why did he have to be so darn cute? "Anyway, they have really great cheesecake, too. New York cheesecake. You gotta have that, too, right?" I located some nice khakis and a light blue shirt. I held the shirt up in the mirror, frowning, but it would have to do. My fingers began to unbutton it like a spider going down a web.

"I don't like cheesecake," Genesis said simply like an ornery old lady. I could hear him sipping his tea from here.

"How do you not like-" I cleared my throat, changing track. This was unheard of. "You'll like Norman's. Its not like any cheesecake out there."

"Cheesecake good," I heard Cha Cha say somewhat defiantly from the living room. So he was still mad at Genesis. I wondered if he'd detected Cha Cha's tone.

"I'm sure it is, but cheese isn't cake."

"Yeah, it's pie. They have other pies, too. Banana cream, cherry, apple. Lots of things," I said, bouncing to get my pants on. I smoothed around, making sure my boxers didn't make any bumps in the material. It seemed alright. My eyes scanned my sock drawer for matching dark socks.

"Then why call it cheese 'cake'?"

Oh, Genesis. I sighed quietly. Sometimes I didn't know how Felix put up with him. What would he say in this situation? 'Oh, you've just hit the curiosity button.'

"I don't know. They just do." Finally, two navy blue socks. I pulled them out of the drawer and turned around like a puppy trying to find its tail. Ah, my purse. I opened this and took out my wallet, sliding it into my back pocket.

My hands were bunching my semi-wet curls on my head, separating and fixing them just so as I walked back into the living room. When I looked up, Genesis was staring at me curiously with a up and down linger from the table next to the window. His tea cup was halfway to his mouth, but his judgmental eyebrow was practically in his hair.

"May I help you?" I asked, still fussing with my curls. I pulled one down over my forehead and let it bounce back, getting my usual style. He was making me feel rushed.

"Why are you dressed like that?"

"Excuse me?" I made an exasperated sound that I hadn't meant to let him hear.

"Don't get fresh with me. Now, why are you dressed like that?"

I turned to him. "What are you talking about? Its not like Norman's is a fancy place. I don't think I need to get dressed up to go-"

"I'm not talking about 'dressing up'. Why are you dressed in men's clothing?"

Huh?

"What are you talking about?" My hand froze in my hair while I tried to process his words. Cha Cha was staring at me, too. He'd seemed bored, but now his eyebrows were creased. He was just as confused as I was. He looked at Genesis across from him and then at me again.

"You dressed like this the other night, too. When we all went on that date. Why aren't you wearing female clothing?"

"Um. Because I have to dress like this?" I swept my hand nervously in my hair. It made me swallow, remembering Paulie's same habit. It reminded me of his words and warnings about this very subject.

"No, you don't." His tea cup clinked on the glass top of the table. His expression of distaste was growing deeper.

"Um, yes I do? It's against the law." I shifted my weight to my other leg, nervous to be under his microscope.

"What is? You can wear whatever you want."

"No, I can't. It's against the law for me to wear female clothing outside."

Genesis looked appalled. "No, it's not! Are you joking?" he began snickering like this was utterly ridiculous.

A blush rose to my cheeks. "Paulie said-"

"Paulie. What does he know?"

My eyes whipped to Cha Cha. His eyes narrowed, which Genesis of course didn't see. He took a harsh sip of his chocolate milk.

"Um, he told me, and-"

"Times are changing. You don't have to wear that. You're a beautiful woman. Wear what you want."

Genesis. "But at the club, at Christmas. You don't know..." You're a beautiful woman. "...Do you really think I'm beautiful?" The blush intensified.

Genesis crossed his arms, his face in boldness. "Come on now. Don't you know the answer to that question? Now, go on." His finger pointed to my bedroom. I still stood planted in my spot halfway across the living room.

"What's happening?" I asked, staring at him in confusion.

"Go on. Go change into your best outfit. We're not leaving until you look pretty."

"But it's against-"

His glare could have scared a mouse out of cheese. I practically backed into my bedroom.

In the back of the taxi with Cha Cha, my exposed knees were pressed firmly together as I stared straight into the mirror, which was reflecting the worried expression in the cab driver's eyes. It also reflected the puffed up proud face of Genesis who was in the front passenger seat. Rain was slapping the windows, the first of what would surely be many April showers, but it was still March.

As always, Cha Cha's hand was entwined with mine. It brought me comfort, and I really hoped he couldn't feel me shaking from my core. Under my short, sky blue rain coat was a matching light blue, knitted, long sleeved top with sweetheart neck and buttons going down and close form short skirt set. It was something Frankie had seen at Bloomingdale's and had bought for me the other week, presenting it to me in a pretty giftbox. When Genesis had said 'wear your best outfit', my mind had automatically gone to this one. But now I just felt exposed. It took everything to make my nyloned knees not rattle.

As I turned my head, a stray wisp of long, pale blonde hair from my wig trailed across my neck and I practically jumped out of my seat.

"Would you calm down?" Genesis said from the front. "You look like a greenhorn spy."

"Shh!" I scolded, breathing in. Cha Cha squeezed my hand and I let my breath out.

"It's a taxi, Georgina. Not an interrogation by the KGB."

"Shhh!"

Genesis tsked at me in his annoying way. A familiar cross-street sign came into view in my window and the cab slowed down. A dark green awning outside was dripping with rain. I wished I had the thought to bring my umbrella. Who knew how my wig would react in this downpour.

As I opened the car door I was jerked back onto the seat, my coat snagged. I looked about, and Cha Cha's hand was on the corner of it. He was holding up his coat to me, and I gasped internally.

"You put over head. Protect hair," he said quietly. "Wig fiber not like rain. I learn, my wig not like rain."

"Cha Cha, what are you wearing?!" I whispered quickly to him. He looked down at his red corduroy jumper. It had a black turtleneck underneath, which I had seen above his coat and didn't think anything of in my apartment. My eyes traveled down and I was shocked further. he was wearing black tights and those same penny loafers that he'd seemed to be favoring when we'd been in the grocery store together. He shrugged and shoved his coat towards me some more.

His style looked very modern. That wasn't a 1950's dress. Then what-

"Did Carl buy you that?" I whispered insistently, taking his coat and draping it over my head, holding the collar up so I could see. The rain plopped on it immediately, making me nervous as all hell.

"No, I buy it."

"Oh, honey. With what money?"

"Frankie money. I get pay."

This was news to me. "Why did you buy a dress?" The bell above Norman's clinked as I opened the door. Cha Cha bounced inside ahead of me, quick to get out of the rain.

"Because I like dress," he stated plainly as he went by me.

I was confused, but I didn't have time to think about it, because a cry rang out outside, in true Genesis fashion. "What the devil does he want now?" I growled. Once again, I went outside and the pitter patter of rain fell on the olive green coat above my hair. Genesis was standing on the sidewalk gaping at Norman Rockwell's like it was an abomination.

"Don't tell me we're eating here!" Genesis gasped, his hand over his mouth.

"What's wrong with it? Come on, I want to get inside. I don't feel safe out here!" I was saying this in a hush, letting my anger slip but I was too scared to care. I felt electric in awareness, daring not to look around.

"It looks like it's closed down! What kind of sign is that? It's all faded, there's spray paint on the side and the windows are boarded up! Where did you bring me?! How is this place even serving food? You want to talk about safe?!"

"They take a lot of pride in their food, Genesis! Get inside!" I wanted to pull his arm, but I'd learned long ago not to touch my auntie in this way. He would not tolerate it. I could do nothing but stand on the sidewalk with my voice steadily rising to match Genesis' screech level. I hadn't wanted to attract any attention and now he was doing this!

"It looks like it has roaches!"

"This is New York City! Everybody has roaches!"

"Oh my goodness, Georgina, I want to go home!"

"I was joking! Go inside! I swear to you it's good, fresh food!"

I was terrified he'd start whining like Lucille Ball as he often did when he was under extreme displeasure. Why now? The need to push him into Norman's was overwhelming. I was so frustrated I wanted to pull my hair out but my hands were occupied. My arms started to burn with holding the coat up as I was reminded. Goddammit, Genesis!

Cha Cha opened the door, the bell clinking again. "Mr. Norman want to know why you stand in rain," he said.

"Fuck!" I screeched, practically diving back into the doorway. To my great relief Genesis ducked in behind me. He looked around, his eyes large and inquisitive.

"Oh, this is rather nice," he said matter of factly and sat down at a table next to the door. I wanted to strangle him.

I held my breath for a second and then stared down at him. "You have to go up to the counter to order."

"I'll have the BLT like you said."

"Okay. But what kind of bread? They have soup, too." I had to steady my breathing, calming my racing heart. Cha Cha was already up at the counter, staring at the large blackboard above, seeming to be studying the many choices. It seemed to have been intuitive for him. My eyes lingered on his bold dark red jumper against the black of the rest of his outfit. He stuck out like a red rose in a sea of white. Blush rose to my cheeks, scared feeling for him.

I draped his olive green coat over the chair next to mine. Genesis watched as I did this. He craned his neck, looking at Cha Cha. A small smile spread on his face. It looked sneaky to me. I found out why immediately.

"Take off your coat."

"What?" The blush intensified on my face. My ears started to burn.

"Take off your coat. The child did. You can, too."

"What's with this calm demeanor now? You were freaking out a minute ago."

"I distracted you, didn't I? Take off your coat."

Oh my god, I wanted to scream. Don't tell me that freak out had been an act. I couldn't tolerate it. "I'm not taking off my coat."

"Take off your coat or I'll scream."

I froze, my hand still on Cha Cha's coat over the chair. My eyes went wide. "You wouldn't," I whispered like a demon, strongly aware of how packed Norman's was.

"I will scream like Tippi Hedren in 'The Birds'."

"Genesis..."

"One... Two... Two and a half... Two and three quarters..."

Oh, shit. Quick as a whip my coat came off and was draped over my chair before Genesis could say another word. My face must have resembled a tomato by now.

"Good niece," he said, casual as you please. "I'd like a BLT. No soup. I'm watching my figure." He made a shooing motion with his hand.

I couldn't believe him. I was so mad, but so embarrassed at the same time I could hardly move. I was shaking so badly by the time I got up to the glass counter I could hardly keep steady on my heels. Cha Cha was in line ahead of me and his head ducked down as I watched him take a place behind me. Calmly, his hand intertwined with mine from behind. It sent a small shock through my body, causing me to be dizzy. It was such a familiar thing for him to do when we were both in drag, but this was real life. I temporarily forgot where I was.

"Whaddya want?"

My eyes snapped up to the gruff voice in front of me. The rough, clay carved face of Norman was staring at me. His apron was spotless as usual. He hadn't given me his usual greeting.

"Um. Hi, Norman. I'd like the usual, prosciutto on seeded Italian with lettuce, tomato, and pepperoni. The big pepperoni, not the small one. I want the Italian dressing, too. Soak the bread, not the ham-"

"My god, that's George."

My heart stopped. "Uh...uh huh." I couldn't look at him. He sounded dumbfounded. I was a deer in headlights. A pause ensued between us. I felt redder than Cha Cha's jumper. All around us, people were chattering and I held my breath, unsure what to say or do.

"Why you don't come in here no more?"

"Huh?"

"How you doin'? How's Paulie? Haven't seen him, either. You used to be regulars, but I ain't seen you two for god knows. I thought you done died or somethin'. I said to Marta, 'I bet you those two's gone missin' or somethin 'cause they can't go a day without my prosciutto sandwiches' and she didn't know who I was talkin' 'bout."

"Oh, well...that's a long story. I don't exactly live in the neighborhood anymore and...well, Paulie doesn't really either." What was going on here? Was what he was saying for real? Couldn't he see what I looked like? Surely he had, from his first reaction. Then what was he thinking?

"I know what you want. Got it memorized. What's you friend over there want? What's his name?"

He was being so warm. I couldn't understand it. My mind went blank. "Um, Norman..."

"Yeah?" He smiled that familiar yellow stained smile from smoking for too many years. Something about it put me to ease.

"Um...I'm Georgina now."

"Oh." He seemed a little unsure at this. I swallowed. Maybe I shouldn't have gone that far. The pause returned, for much too long this time. I felt a tug on my sleeve and nearly jumped out of my skin. Cha Cha was staring at me.

"I have same, pro-shoo-toh," he said, clear as day without a hint of nervousness. Oh, lord, I wanted to tear up in the unexpectedness. Prosciutto. The word I'd taught him.

Norman's face wrinkled in his smile, leaning to take a good look at Cha Cha. "What's your name? You Spanish?"

Oh god. I breathed out silently, the awkward pause broken.

"Latino," Cha Cha replied casual as anything. "My name Cha Cha."

"That's a weird name," Norman laughed. "Okay! What's your friend in the corner want?"

"A BLT," I said, quickly remembering.

"No problem! You go sit. I'll bring your stuff over."

"Okay. Thanks."

"Gracias," Cha Cha echoed me. Without a moment's hesitation, he started dragging me over to our seats. I could hardly breathe or comprehend what had just happened. I was practically dizzy. How could he be so casual?

We sat in our respective seats, and Cha Cha looked bored again. How was he doing this?

"This place is quaint. I like it," Genesis said before I could think another thought.

It was just enough more stress to make me want to tear out my hair for real. But instead I sighed. As before, Cha Cha's hand found mine and I stared at him. He gave me a little smile, so rare these days. I smiled at him, too, encouraging his own.

I was so glad he was here, because I probably would have launched over the table in stress at what Genesis said next.

"You know what," he said with a pointed challenging side glance at me, then looked up at Norman at the counter, "I think I will have soup!"