I didn't hear the boys leave in the morning. I like to think that a higher power kept me asleep well into the morning; even the morning sunlight didn't wake me. I found a small tray of food on my dresser; someone had brought me breakfast. I couldn't eat much, but I tried. I spent the next hour organizing my things and trying to feel at home. I explored the lodging house briefly, making sure to stay away from the front desk area. I did look around the corner and spot an older woman reading near the desk, but she didn't notice me. It was around this time that Spot came back. I heard several voices in the lounge and then he appeared in my open doorway. He knocked briefly before entering with a small smile.
"Heya, Cat. Did you find everything okay?" he asked, and I recognized the attempt to keep from asking me how I was.
"Yeah, thanks, Spot. I didn't know what to do with the breakfast tray, though. It's right here." I handed it to him, and he looked down at it. "I know I didn't eat much, but I tried," I said lamely, and he gave me another small smile.
"Ya did great, Darlin. Nobody expects you to be eating a lot right now. But your dog's downstairs, and he's driving everyone mad. I don't suppose you're up for coming down and taking him for a walk?"
How could I have forgotten about Jimmy? I jumped up, feeling guilty, and followed Spot downstairs to the lounge. Red was there playing cards with Ace, and Jimmy was at Roller's feet. He jumped up when I came into the room, a furry whirlwind of whining excitement. I smiled. Yes, I smiled as I hugged him.
"Let's go for a walk," I said to him, and he went even crazier.
"You want company?" Spot asked, and I stopped when I realized I didn't know my way around this area that well.
"I might need some," I said, blushing at my short-sightedness.
"Let's go," he gave me a grin that contained just a hint of a smirk, and we headed outside. It was sunny, even if the late March sunshine wasn't exactly warm. We wandered over to the docks, which were not actually far from the lodging house, and Spot showed me the area. He suggested a walking route for the mornings with Jimmy, and I made mental notes of the landmarks.
"Will Jimmy be able to stay with us?" I asked, worried. Spot smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Jimmy can stay in your room if you want. The lodging house doesn't have any rules about dogs as long as they aren't causing problems. The boys will probably love having him around." Spot looked like he would not let anyone dare to try to take my dog.
"Will they like having me around?" I asked, aware of how much upheaval my presence must have caused already.
"Are you kidding? They are already talking about what a privilege it will be to have someone like you around. A bunch of 'em know you and like you already. That stacks the odds in your favor. The fact that you're my friend stacks the odds in your favor again. They'll get used to you far more quickly than they should. The trick will be helping them remember that there's a lady around," Spot assured me.
I nodded, trying hard to consider how I could adapt and adjust. It was all so overwhelming.
"Listen, Cat, I know you're scared. You have a lot to take in and a lot on your mind. The sheer number of changes to your life would be enough to overwhelm anyone. You just do what you need to do, and you'll feel more confident and relaxed when you're ready. In the meantime, if anyone gives you a hard time, you let me know."
"Thanks, Spot," I said as we headed back to the lodging house. "I guess I need to get ready for work."
"Yeah," Spot agreed. "I'll walk you to work then pick up me afternoon papes. I'll make sure someone is there to pick you up from work tonight, too. It'll probably be me, but it might be one of the other guys."
We headed back and I got ready to go. Spot met me in the lounge, and Jimmy jumped to his feet, ready to accompany me wherever I was headed. "What about him?" I asked, and Spot smiled.
"Roller wanted to take him selling. I figure he's extra security for the kid, and I didn't think you'd mind. Roller sells near the park and will take great care of him. If it's okay with you, I'll take him to the distribution center and hand him over to Roller there."
I smiled, and we headed out to the factory. Muriel met us at the door and whispered urgently, "Mr. Santorelli said to meet him at Ray's café right now." Spot and I glanced at each other and Spot shrugged. Muriel had already shut the door.
"What do you suppose is wrong?" I asked as we walked the two blocks to Ray's. Spot shrugged again, but I noticed his jaw was set and his eyes were roaming the street. His whole body was tense as if ready for a fight, and it made me nervous. We got to Ray's, and there was Mr. Santorelli in a corner booth. He waved us over.
"The police were looking for you at work. They were checking the papers of all the girls," he said by way of greeting. Spot grimaced, and I saw the concern on his face.
"You gonna do something about it?" he asked Mr. Santorelli. His voice had that hard edge again—the one that makes me nervous.
"Calm down, young man. Yes, I have an idea. I was to be switched to day shift tomorrow. Since Katie has worked that before, she can switch back. She may need to find a place to stay until trouble ends. It might be awhile before things settle down. The police were not happy to find her apartment empty."
"Day shift is a great idea," Spot said, "but she stays where she is. It's safe enough." Mr. Santorelli nodded.
"You are probably right, young man. Katie, I will see you early tomorrow?" I nodded, and he put down a dollar. "Order what you wish for lunch. I will cover it for now." He headed out, and I looked at Spot.
"What do I do now?" I asked. Spot gave that impish grin and grabbed the dollar.
"We eat lunch, take the change, and buy a few extra papes," he laughed. I laughed at that, and then I stopped. That was my first laugh since Papa.
"Hey, what do you want to eat," Spot's voice distracted me. I wondered if that wasn't his intent. I smiled and turned my attention to the menu.
The rest of the day was actually pleasant. I went with Spot to the distribution center, which I hadn't seen before, and then went selling with Roller. He seemed to think it was great fun having a rookie like me along, and of course we both had fun with Jimmy. I confess, though, that I was no good at selling newspapers; I was simply too shy. That evening we headed back to the lodging house, and the boys were an absolute riot as they played poker. It was just the distraction I had needed, and this time when I went to bed I was able to fall asleep a bit more easily.
I don't know how long I had been asleep when I felt someone shaking my shoulder.
"Katja," a voice whispered, shaking me again. I opened my eyes, straining to see in the dark. It was Spot, and he put a finger to his lips. There were voices downstairs. Loud ones.
"Bulls," he said. He wrapped my blanket around my shoulders and pushed open the window. "Go out quietly and climb up onto the roof. I'll come get you when it's safe." I was awake now, and I'm sure there was fear in my face.
"Don't worry," he reassured me before shooing me out and then leaving the room. I climbed up onto the roof, trying hard to be quiet. It was cold out here; after all, it wasn't even April yet, and it was the middle of the night. I shivered as I reached the roof, shrugged the blanket off my shoulders, and curled up into it in a corner. I could hear voices in the rooms below and, a few moments later, out on the street. After another ten minutes of silence, Spot appeared out of nowhere.
"They're gone for now," he said. "I put Roller in your bed. Had him tell the bulls that all that stuff was his big sister's. You shoulda seen the performance he put on when they went to look through your things—like they were desecrating a grave or something. Stopped 'em cold. It worked, but I think they may come back."
"So what do I do?" I asked.
"For now? Come back down and sleep. Tomorrow we'll come up with something," he answered. We headed back down the fire escape and this time climbed into Spot's room.
"I left Roller in your bed in case they come back. For tonight you can bunk with me," he said, and I nodded. It was a bit strange to curl up next to Spot for what remained of the night, but I had to say that after the cold of the roof it was a relief to cuddle up to someone warm. I fell back asleep quickly.