*Chapter 8*
"How many ya got left?" Blink asked the new girl after what seemed like only minutes, though it had been hours. Selling was even more fun than Bottle Cap had imagined, especially with Kid Blink.
"Uh," She counted quickly in her head, "Two."
"Heah, gimme one." He extended his hand toward her and she obliged, knowing his intentions. Just as she'd expected, Blink held up her paper and hollered some headline.
"I'll take it." A gruff, over-weight man held the bronze coin out, exchanging it for the paper. Caps turned and sold her very last newspaper to a well-dressed woman with a child hiding in her skirts.
"All done." Bottle Cap's blue eyes sparkled with excitement. Blink smiled at her innocent face and she felt as though she were about to die. Then again, she wasn't sure she was alive anyway.
"Ready ta go ta Tibby's?" He asked. She nodded as they headed silently down the street. "So how'd ya get dat name?"
"Uh." That was all Bottle Cap's dry mouth would allow. She wasn't about to expose the real story, it was far too childish and embarrassing. "I don't want to talk about it." Was her final answer, and it was true.
"Fine by me." Blink shrugged, a smile lightening his face, still. He really does have a constant smile, noted Katie. I'll have to post that... Her thoughts came to a screeching halt. She couldn't post! There were no computers here. Besides, all the listees were here already anyway. That line of thought caused her to question if they had been here all the time and hadn't clued her in on the...
"Heya Caps!" Silver interrupted the girl's intense thinking. "I'se beginnin' ta wondah if Blink lost ya."
"Hi!" Bottle Cap replied. "No, I guess I'm just not a quick seller yet."
"You did bettah den most." Blink assured her sweetly, conveniently forgetting that Katie had claimed to be a "good newsie" the night before. Again, Bottle Cap blushed.
"Thanks." She managed, looking at Silver with a shy smile.
"C'mon. Let's get a table, we gots some tawkin' ta do." Silver Fists said seriously, though a smile graced her lips. The three entered Tibby's to find a whole mess of newsies, most that Bottle Cap recognized, but many she didn't.
"Heya Blink, Silvah." Came greetings, followed by questions concerning the stranger.
"Leave 'em alone, fellahs." Blink laughed, "I think ya scarin' 'er." The new girl didn't comment as Silver picked an empty table in a corner.
"How do you know who I am, Silver?" Bottle Cap asked quietly, unable to wait another second.
"It's difficult to explain, Bottle Cap." Silver leaned forward, making sure there were no eavesdroppers. "I thought..." She paused.
"What? Tell me!" Bottle Cap squirmed.
"Well, it really don't make sense. If de othahs hoid dis, dey'd think I'd gone straight outah my mind!" She explained.
"They don't have to find out, then." Bottle Cap shrugged, "But I have to know, Silver."
"Okay, I'll tell ya...but ya can't laugh." She gave in hesitantly, her greenish eyes pleading silently, "An' if ya even mention it ta Blink, I'll soak ya."
"Okay, okay! I get your point." She flicked her hair out of her face as she giggled, her sudden outburst inviting unwanted attention. Dragonfly smiled at Bottle Cap, being safely cuddled in Racetrack's arms. The auburn-haired stranger waved politely, knowing Dragonfly was an awesome person back home.
"Are ya listenin'? 'Cause I ain't sayin' it twice." Silver laughed at her easily distracted acquaintance.
"Yeah, I'm listening. Tell me." Katie demanded just before the door swung open, revealing a boy with a gold-tipped cane. The restaurant was nearly rendered speechless.
"At ease." He chuckled, basking in the glow of his own authority. Jack stood and spit-shook with the boy whom Katie recognized well.
"What brings ya to my side a da bridge, Conlon?" He asked with a slight smile.
"Hoid ya picked up a stray." He answered firmly, connecting eyes with Bottle Cap. Silver turned away from Spot to see a disbelieving look attacking the girl's face. Did Spot know Bottle Cap? There was no way!
