DISCLAIMER: i apologize in advance about the horrible new york accent. i can speak it, but i can't write it...if you review and say it's too hard to read i'll write it normally and you'll just have to use your imagination...

CHAPTER 2 - RECKLESS

"Hey...Reck...C'mon Reck! If youse wanna wash before we eat, most of the guys have left."

I slowly open my eyes and blink in the sunlight streaming through the multiple windows into the bunkhouse. I glance down to see the silhouette of Racetrack leaning up onto the top bunk, shaking me.

"I'm up, I'm up," I mumble, blindly shoving his hand away. I hear a creak and a thump as Race jumps down from the bunk.

"I sent Blink ahead of us to get some food," the little Italian says as he walks around towards the foot of my bed. All of a sudden, the blankets are grabbed of me. I sit bolt upright, a protest on the tip of my tongue.

"Hey-"

"And don't foiget, today is Skitt's boithday," he calmly interrupts me.

"Oh crap, I completely foigot!" I vault out of bed and streak into the washroom. Racetrack, knowing my habits, slowly follows, carrying my suspenders, boots, and hat.

"I thoght so, based on the way youse was still lyin' there." the older boy chuckles as he heads down the steps.

I quickly douse myself in the cold water, rushing through everything because I have to talk to Kid Blink and Skittery before we split up to sell our papes. Well, I have to talk to Skitt anyway; I can go with Blink to sell papes.

When I'm finished dressing, I pull on my boots, throw my hat on my still wet hair and race down the steps. On the way out, I yell a greeting to Kloppman, who yells something about Skitt in response. Assuming it's a reminder about his birthday, I yell a quick acknowledgement over my shoulder. Knowing Race is waiting right outside the door for me, I slow to give him a chance to start running and catch up.
We run around the corner and see all the guys waiting by the gate. Scanning the crowd, I first spot Blink, who has watched us approach, and is waving us over. I motion for him to wait a second, as I glance around for Skittery. I see his pink shirt, back towards me, talking to Dutchy. As I slowly walk closer, Dutchy spots me, but I motion to him to be quiet, so he just keeps talking to Skitt. When I'm about 3 steps from him, I take a running leap and tackle him to the ground, punching him. As a reflex he starts to fight back, but once he sees it's me, he just gives up and lays there. I stand up, help him up, and give hima quick hug.

"Happy Boirthday Skitt! A yeah oldah maybe, but nevah a yeah wisah," I say teasingly as he punches me back, "But now I'se gotta go talk wid Blink, so I'll meet up wid you latah." I turn around and head over to meet Kid Blink and Racetrack.

"What are we gonna do tonoight, Reck? I know youse have a plan - I can tell youse is thinkin'." he says to me as he hands me some food. Just then, the circulation bell rings, and the gates open. I turn back towards Blink,

"I'se gonna head downtown today. If I remembah correctly, there's a party. A noight one. That means fancy dress, and people always have whiskey and cigahs at parties like them. Maybe we can 'borrow' some an' celebrate latah tonoight for Skitt."

"Sounds good," he says as we walk into the gate, "I'll try to finish sellin' as early as possible, hopefully by noon, an' we can meet back at the lodgin' house." I nod in agreement, my mind whirling.