Chapter 6

Spot

That Saturday at 7:00, after Mush and Olivia had finished selling their papes, they went out to Tibby's. 'Oliver' brought along a dress in her canvas newspaper bag along with some lip rouge. Mush had a soda while she changed in the bathroom and brushed her hair out. When she came back, Mush realized that she was right, she did look different in a dress. She looked beautiful.

"How does I look?" she asked, spinning around in front of him.

He looked her up and down. "Really nice," he said, trying to hide his amusement at seeing his best female friend in real girl clothes for the first time.

She grinned. "Think Spot'll like it?" she asked hopefully.

"How couldn't he?" Mush replied, half-smiling.

* * * *

Olivia was right, Spot was there with a few of his buddies at Medda's that night. They walked over and sat next to him. "Hey Spot," Mush said, greeting his friend.

"Heya Mushy," Spot said. They each spit in their hands and shook.

Olivia cleared her throat impatiently. "Uh, Spot -- dis here's me dear friend from me childhood, Olivia," Mush said, pulling her forward by the arm.

Spot looked her over. "It's a pleasure ta meet ya, Olivia," he said, taking her hand in his and kissing it above the knuckle. Mush rolled his eyes and sat down, trying to concentrate on the lovely voice of Medda Larkson. It would be a long night.

* * * *

"He likes me, Mush!" Olivia exclaimed as they walked back to Tibby's. "He really does. He wants to see me again tomorrah."

"Good," Mush replied, shoving his hands into his pockets.

She sighed happily. "Did ya see him kiss me on the cheek before we left? Didja?"

"Yeah, I saw it," he told her.

"Hey, whatsa matta wid ya?" she asked him.

He looked down. "Just tired, is all. Been up since da crack of dawn, ya know."

When they got into Tibby's, Olivia changed back into her Oliver costume again. They decided to sit down and have something to eat while they were there.

Soon after they had finished their snack, Jack, Blink, and Racetrack came in. "Heya, fellas, dere's Mush and Oliver," Racetrack said, pointing in their direction.

They joined them at the table. "Where you two been?" Jack asked them. He pulled a chair out and sat on it backwards.

"Medda's," Mush replied.

"Ah, dat lady sings like an angel, don't she Oliver?" Jack said with a smile.

Oliver nodded. "She was good."

"Good? She's amazin!" Kid said with a sigh. "And beautiful."

Racetrack dug into his pocket and yielded a tattered pack of card. "How bout a little poker, fellas?"

Oliver yawned. "Actually, I'm kinda tired, I think I'll get back and get me some shut eye." She wasn't about to let them know that she'd never played poker before in her life.

Mush followed as she got up. "Me too," he murmured. He waved to his friends half-heartedly.

Once they had exited the building, Jack looked at Kid and Race with concern. "What's wrong wit dat kid lately?"

"Oliver?" Kid asked him.

"No, Mush," Jack replied. "He hasn't seemed hisself."

"Yeah, he's been spendin a lotta time wit dat Oliver," Race agreed.

Jack nodded. "Dey been bunkin togetha quite a bit too."

Kid furrowed his brows. "You'se don't think --"

They all paused for a moment. "Nah --" they said in unison, shrugging it off.

* * * *

Olivia stopped Mush before they got to the lodging house. "Mush," she started, putting his hand in hers, "I want to thank ya for helpin me. If only one person can know me secret, I'm glad it's you, cuz you'se the best friend I could ask for."

He smiled. "It's alright."

She put her arms around him and gave him a hug. "If it wasn't for you, Spot wouldn't know I'se alive."

He hugged her tightly. "Never thought of it that way --" he whispered.

* * * *

Author's Note: I'd just like to say, this story is immensely fun to write (as all stories are). I'd also like to say, I have an inferiority complex, and any and all reviews are appreciated haha. But really, if there are any silent readers out there, I'd love to hear what you have to say, even if it is negative. After all, how can we grow as writers without knowing what we could do better? Thanks for reading this! And thanks so much to my reviewer!