"Days are getting longer," Racetrack commented.
Racetrack Higgins and Kid Blink had been lying on the roof of the lodging house for a good hour. Just staring into the sky. Sometimes a few words were exchange, but most of the time a comfortable silence would take over.
"I have a feeling it'll be a hot one," Blink responded.
The sun was close to setting, but the light of the day hadn't faded yet. A cheerful whistle made both Blink and Race sit up. A head of curls had just popped up from the stairs.
"Ay Blink! Ay Racey!" a cheerful voice rang. Racetrack muttered a curse word under his breath and rubbed his ear.
"Mushy, the last hour has been quiet time," Blink groaned.
"Sorry fellas, I just had a good day."
Mush's cheeks were cherry red and his hair slightly askew from his regular style. He licked his lips, and Blink instantly knew.
"You was with a girl!"
A huge smile spread across Mush's face. Race and Blink exchanged looks before bursting into laughter.
"What's her name Mushy?"
A sly look came across Mush's face, but it quickly faded and a longing look replaced it.
"Her names Nettie," Mush started. "She's a doll."
Race and Blink exchanged looks.
"She got these gorgeous lips and she shows the right amount of ankle, y'know? She ain't no tramp, but she isn't some prude."
"Where'd you meet Nettie?" Race asked.
"Out by Medda's, she was hanging around when I was selling."
"You sure she ain't no tramp Mush?"
Mush was offended by Blink's accusation. His face turned bright red and his fists clenched.
"You don't know nothin' ya bum!"
All Kid Blink and Racetrack Higgins could see was Mush's back storming towards the stairs. They watched him disappear down them.
"Watch in a week that Nettie girl will have some other bum, and Mush will be all sad until he finds a new broad," Blink spoke.
It had been 3 days since Mush had bailed from the roof top of the lodging house. He hadn't spoken to Race or Blink yet. It was lunch time, and Kid had just got done eating at Tibby's when he seen Mush sitting alone on the curb.
"Hey Mush," he spoke slowly. He sat down beside him. Mush didn't even acknowledge him. His eyes were across the road on a couple.
"That's Nettie."
Blink was surprised when Mush finally spoke. They had sat in silence for 5 minutes. He glanced across the street at the couple. He recognized the guy. Morris Delancey, the biggest snake in the town. It almost made Blink want to throw up even thinking about Morris and some dame. His eyes left the Delancey brother to look at the girl named Nettie.
Mush wasn't lying when he called her a doll. She was petite, but not short. He brown hair was curled and pinned back, making her look like she had some short of status. But you could tell by the way she dressed she had none. Her dress wasn't exactly short, but it wasn't long enough for a nice decent girl. But she knew how to wear it. Kid Blink almost laughed thinking about how right Mush was about her ankle. Her face wasn't ugly, but it had enough makeup for 3 girls. And the way she was eyeing Morris made him cringe. She definitely was only using these boys until she was at the top. He could only imagine her trying to get to Jack or Spot.
"What a whore."
Mush looked down again. He could tell it was in shame.
"She's pretty dame, but a whore."
Mush looked at Kid Blink and chuckled.
"I like girls Blink," he said sadly.
"Might as well try them all out until you find the right one," Blink said.
With that comment they laughed and Mush punched Kid Blink's shoulder.
"Well, I just met this girl named Flora…"