*Chapter 22*
Bottle Cap gave into his demands, although a bit upset that he had "demanded" her to stay with him. The rest of the morning he remained glued to her side, eyeing every man who neared her. Despite the fact that she adored her older brother, she was becoming irritated at his overprotection.
"Buy a newspaper, Mister?" Bottle Cap wandered off toward a crowd. The man smiled and obliged, much to the girl's relief. She was feeling as if there was no such thing as her old life, it had been a silly dream that was washed away by the morning sun.
"Bottle Cap!" Spot finally saw her and ran up. "Don't wandah off like dat." He reprimanded her in a low voice as not to attract attention to her.
"I'm fine, I was just trying to sell. I think I know who is dangerous and who isn't. You don't even know what Ben looks like." She rolled her eyes, then held her breath. She didn't know what Ben looked like!
"Whats a mattah?" Spot asked, noting the fear-smothered facial expression. "You see 'im?" Bottle Cap shook herself out of it and told him no, breathing once again. Spot shrugged off an uneasy air and began to sell again, makng sure Bottle Cap remained by his side.
It wasn't until the two were nearly finished selling that Bottle Cap caught sight of a familiar face in the crowd. Bottle Cap linked eyes with him at that very moment and he approached casually.
"Heya, you'se two! Good day?" Jake smiled, his eyes and nose scrunching up.
"Yeah, I suppose." Bottle Cap responded in a tone that was clearly not joyful. She flipped her long hair out of her face, annoyed at it's constant tangling.
"It's a great day." Spot said dryly, giving Bottle Cap a stern look. Jake raised his eyebrow at their attitudes.
"Jeez. Maybe I caught you at a bad time?"
"No," She smiled sweetly, "It's just way too hot out here."
"Right." He nodded, "So, BC, can I talk to ya for a second?" He asked, much to her surprise.
"I don't know," She looked up at Spot Conlon with a smirk, "Depends on if Spot let's me leave his side." Spot glanced at Jake and shrugged.
"Yeah, ya can tawk to 'im." He laughed, happy that she wasn't disobeying. He didn't like being bossy to her, he just didn't want to lose her again.
Jake led Bottle Cap off to the side of the cobblestone street, out of the line of by-passers and such. Bottle Cap waited in anticapation for Jake to begin speaking.
"I just wanna," He began unsteadily, "apologize for Spin's behavior. I don't know what's wrong wit' her." He finished, leaving his listener in awe at his words.
"It's okay, Jake. It isnt your fault." She forced a smile, "I just wish she'd realize that I'm not Spot. It wasn't her fault that my mother died after she was born. There are so many reason that could have happened, a tiny baby couldn't have done it all by herself." She added. Jake took off his hat and fiddled with it, thinking over what she had just said.
"She ain't normally like dis. I haven't tried talkin' to her 'bout it 'cause she's been so touchy." He explained.
"I understand." Bottle Cap assured him, "It's not your job to make things right between us." She grinned.
"Do you want me to talk to 'er? I mean, I won't if you don't want me to." he smiled back. Light bulbs lit up above Bottle Cap's head as she heard his offer.
"You'd really do that?" She asked, surprised by his friendliness. This could work splendidly! Jake nodded,
"Sure. I hate seeing me girl unhappy like dis." he shrugged.
"Okay" Bottle Cap nodded, "I hope you know what you're doing, though. I'd hate to see her get mad at you, too" She giggled.
"She won't." Jake assured her, "I'll talk to her when I get finished sellin'."
"Works for me." Bottle Cap smiled widely, "Good luck, Jake." She went to turn, then paused, "And...thanks."
Jake simply nodded and replaced his hat before Bottle Cap headed back over to where Spot stood, now finished selling both the remainder of his papers, and hers.
