"Morning gorgeous," Ike says as I flutter my eyes open. I remember everything last night and go check on Morris. From what I could tell, he looked like he had been in a bar fight and has no clue what is going on. I tap on his shoulder as he awakes. Very clumsily, he tries to stand up on his own, legs filled with cotton as Ike and I pull him to eye level again. Ike drags him over to the table as we feed him, check his bruises and help him get dressed.
"Don't ask, just no," I say.
"Wasn't going to, now I am a bit intrigued," he nods.
"She almost," Ike says. I hit his arm and shake my head. Most likely it was going to be vulgar and disgusting. "I mean, we almost tried to wake you up earlier, but you wouldn't. Plus, your clothes were covered in blood, so we washed them for you." He smiles at me.
"Fine by me," Morris replies. I put Lucy and Cole into high chairs as they make a mess of breakfast. Morris seems strong enough to stand and dismisses himself. He shakes Ike's hand and whispers something in my ear I can barely make out. The only thing I picked up was the word kiss. I gasp mouth wide open as Ike doesn't notice. I set both kids in our bathtub as I heat up the water and add the soap. They make a big deal of who gets to play with the rubber duck until I take it away from them and Ike comes in. Lucy's eyes light up as she releases bubbles into the air. I take out my hair and put it in a nice messy bun, hoping they don't ruin the tub. I'm going to use it next, I smirk. I dry them off as Ike helps and tell him I'm going next.
"I'm sorry," he starts. I look him dead in the eye.
"There is nothing to be sorry about," I comment. He puts his hands on my hips and smiles.
"Not to be rude, but can you get out so I can take a bath and you're taking one too." I say as I take his hands off of me.
"You know to save water we could," he starts.
"Not happening," I finish, shoving him out and slamming the door. I take one look at it and decide it would be best to lock the door. In a few motions my skirt slides to the floor and I am sitting in steaming water. I'm too lazy to actually wash myself so I just sit in the tub, patting the bubbles and combing out my tangled prone hair. I take a heavy brush and wash myself, forgetting that if you want to be in pain, use it. It takes off dirt really well and also like seven layers of skin. So, don't wash over a wound or down south with that thing, it hurts. I finally climb out, drain the water, fill it back up and get dressed.
"Ike, your turn," I call out, emptiness.
"Get in here before I throw your razor at you." I scream.
"Give me a second," he yells back. He comes into view as he mutters something under his breath.
"What?" I say sternly. He shakes his head and gets a cheeky look on his face.
"Can you help me?"
"I'm pretty sure you can wash yourself," I glare. I close the door and clean up the kitchen as I have to change Cole. Star comes by with a really small bundle of papes, only about twenty. She even cleaned off her nails, good, I hated that color. I open up the bathroom door to find Ike shaving really slowly.
"You're slow," I say. "I'm leaving."
"See you later," he smiles. "Ouch,"
"Cut yourself?" I ask as he nods sheepishly. "Let me see." He turns his head so I can see the nick. I kiss it quickly.
"Get a shirt on," I say. He nods his head.
"But it's supposed to be hot today." He gripes.
"Before I make you," I snap. I turn and open the door for Star. The landlady will watch the kids today, hopefully Ike catch a lot. We sell our papes in no time and I do not want to pass out on the bed. Good, I think, don't want a fourth kid. Star looks longingly at her nails, chipped and cracked. She stops walking a lot unless we are talking. She doesn't say anything; she just looks at her hands.
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"Nothing," she replies, she looks like she's about to cry. We continue down the dock as I see Ike and Blink; I nudge Star and wink at her.
"Oh come on, I remember when you would blush at him for no reason." I say, taking a seat on a bench. "Tell me, what's wrong."
"Nothing much," she says. "Well, I don't think Blink likes me anymore."
"He does, look he's coming over here now," I point out, Ike following behind him.