Author's Note: Sorry this chapter is short. But the voices have left me for a bit and school is back in, so not as much time. This was written mostly in Spanish period yesterday and today….So if you have any ideas, pleez tell me, because the voices r are slackin. Thanx!! :)
Rae: I kinda stole one of you sayings…is that ok??
Stage: I didn't know what to do for that headline…haha, it was late and I just wanted to finish the chapter.
"Ok Lissy, time to go home." Hayden said as he sold his last paper.
"See ya later Bottlecap."
"Aight Kid, take care of yourself."
He had definitely noticed the large bruise on Hayden's cheek, and his previous bruises. He wasn't as good at hiding them as he thought he was. Besides, Bottlecap knew a thing or two, and it was hard to slip something past him.
"You need any help, well, don't forget me."
Bottlecap lived in the Philly lodging house. There wasn't much room, but had told Hayden that he was always welcome to stay there, he and even Lissy. But Hayden had said no, knowing that his father wouldn't allow it. Even if he did leave, his father would come to the lodging house and take him back, so what was the point?
"Thanks Bottlecap. Same thing tomorrow? Or are you gonna sell with your lady friend again?" He asked teasingly, with an obvious emphasis on friend.
"Naw." He answered with a smile. "Same thing tomorrow."
"See ya then."
"See ya Kid, Squirt."
"Hey!" Lissy piped up.
"Walk squirt."
"Hayden!"
"What?"
"You're supposed to be on my side!"
"C'mon, let's just go home." He said laughing.
After they had been walking in silence for a few minutes, Hayden could tell that there was something on Lissy's mind.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
After a while she answered. "Well….do you remember what we talked about last night? I mean, about being good for daddy?"
"Yea."
"Do you think we could try it?"
He sighed. "Sure Lissy." He would try, but he knew that it wouldn't work. If his father was drunk, there was no stopping him. But he would try, if just for Lissy's sake. "We can try it."
"Ok." She said with a smile on her face, starting to skip. He didn't want her to be disappointed when it didn't work. So he was trying to think of ways to try extra hard, even if it didn't come out. He figured that the best approach was just to stay out of the way. He didn't want to ruin Lissy's mood, so he just put a smile on, as they walked home from just another day of carrying the banner.