Chapter 12

Charlotte blinked open her eyes. Her body was warm and she was in someone's bed.

"Damn!" she though, "Why da hell am I wakin up in people's beds!"

A short full figured woman bustled in, her raven hair in a messy bun, and her blue dress hanging loosely on her body. An apron was slightly dirty, and when she turned to look at Charlie, she noticed her green eyes were captivating.

"Good to see you up!" she said cheerfully, filling a cup with water and placing it by the bed.

"Were's Mock?" Charlotte demanded with a weak smile.

"Mock? Oh, you mean Gabriel. He stepped outside with his father, he'll be back in a few minutes."

"Okay," she sighed, sinking into the pillow.

Slick ran in breathless, " Ya ready ta go, Charlie?"

Madison looked at him incredulously, "She's not better yet!"

Charlotte stood up, "But I tink I am."

Slick had a look of someone who ruled the world on his face, and Madison just scowled, "Why do you need her to leave so quick?"

"Wese got a deadline, Mrs. Wisner."

She sighed at the two independent souls, and something burned inside of her.

"Wait a minute."

She quickly walked downstairs and came back with five dollars.

"Use it wisely" she whispered handing it to Char.

Char smiled, "Don't worry, I will."

Slick grabbed her and they ran outside, where Mock was with his dad. Slick murmured some incoherent words in his ear, and Mock paled.

"Sorry, Father, I have ta go. I'll visit sometime." He told him, placing a kiss on his father's cheek.

"Goodbye, son," he said, with a quivering lip.

"Goodbye, Mother!" he called, and then ran down the lane with Splash and Slick.

"Wat was dat about," Char questioned when they slowed down.

"Jist sumtin I hoid from Todd." Slick said, leaving it at that.

They walked to the Hudson, looking down.

"So how far ta New Yawk?"

Charlotte looked to the sky, and back at them. "We ken git dere by night."

"So let's go!" yelled Slick, already beginning to walk down the road.

"By ferry." She continued.

Mock sighed and peered down the shore.

"Dere's one about a mile down."

They ran to the ferry, and paid him the four dollars it would take to get them to Manhattan. The next one was going to leave in thirteen minutes, so they sat around.

"Wat was I doin is dat room?" she asked Mock.

"Youse had pneumonia an slept fer a couple days while me mudda took care of ya."

"I'se famished."

The ferry glided over the gray water and stopped at the wooden loading dock.

"Alright, get on!" the guy yelled.

They jumped up, and walked to the trolley, Charlotte going in front, Mock and Slick in the back. They pulled away, feeling the fresh air hit there face, and started to glide down the Hudson river, until nightfall.

Charlotte caught sight of Manhattan island, and her eyes filled with tears.

"I'se finally home."







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