Gideon yelled over his shoulder as he stormed into the yard. He heard the door creak behind him and wheeled around to see a short, round man follow him out. The man shook his fist and pointed his finger an inch from Gideon's nose.
You better get outta here and never come back! Lying, dishonest scoundrels like you should be hanged! I-I'll make s-s-sure you never get another job! Then you'll die the slow and painful death you deserve! The man was shaking from head to toe with anger. Gideon's hands were clenched into fists at his side. He took a deep breath and through clenched teeth he spoke with obvious effort to control his temper.
I don't know who stole your money, or your food Roy, but it sure as heck wasn't me. I don't care if you want to blame anyone else, but your own laziness brought this upon you and no matter who you hire, you'll keep getting robbed until you get off your own big, fat, lazy-
GET OUT! the man yelled as he swung at Gideon with his broom. Gideon dodged out of the way and skipped out of the stable yard leaving the man ranting in his dust.
Out on the street Gideon tore off his apron and threw it into the gutter. Why did he keep getting fired? He had had four new jobs in the last month. He held each for only a few days, a week at the most, before money and food would go missing and he would be blamed for it. Of course he didn't do it. It was shameful that his employers would think such things about him, and disgraceful that his mother's good reputation was being tainted. Everyone was talking about it. How poor Miss Evelyn had not only been abandoned by her husband, but her oldest son wasted his time with conning and stealing instead of working an honest job like he should be. Not to mention all of the other children telling his brothers and sisters hugely exaggerated stories about what a horrible person he was. He could tell by the looks in their eyes that they were ashamed and even afraid of him.
Gideon screamed and kicked a barrel over. Luckily there was no one else in the alley. He took another deep breath and slowly righted the barrel. He walked out of the alley and onto another street. What was he going to tell his mother? The truth of course, he was always honest. But being honest couldn't stop the look of hurt and disappointment he knew he would receive when he broke the news to his mother.
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Hannah heaved a sigh of relief as she reached the top of the stairs. She sat down on her bag and looked at it disdainfully. As her breathing and heart rate slowed back normal she stood up and straightened her dress and hair. She heard a burst of laughter from across the deck. Winks was there along with Dusty, Jock, Adam, and Brownie four of the other younger sailors on the ship. No doubt Winks was telling them about the she had done for him the night before. She'd hoped he wasn't bluffing. She was a girl of good repute, the last thing she needed was some hormonal teen-aged boy to make up stories about the things they didn't do together. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a big copper coin. She walked determinedly over to the group of young men.
Hey boys she said. Hannah flicked the coin at Winks who just barely caught it. What are we talking about?
Well, uh, we were, uh, you see... Adam looked remotely uncomfortable. He stared at Hannah's chest. He was such a bad liar. He had to get points for trying to be chivalrous and not going right out and saying they were talking about her. Just then, good old Jock piped in.
We was all askin' Winky here what happened las' nigh' afta' the game. Well he said that a real gentleman don't kiss and tell. Well of course Adam here jus' hadda know because he likes to think he plays the sport, but there ain't a lotta action in his end of da field if you know what I mean. Finally Winks gave in and said that it was somethin' real unusual an' we asked how unusual, an then we made another crack about this an that, an' then you walked up an' so we canned it, if ya know what I mean.
said Hannah, pretending to understand more than half of what he said. So you didn't tell them Winky? The boys snickered. Winks shook his head vigorously. If you must know, even though it isn't any of your business, I did Winky here the biggest favor he coulda' asked for. The boys heads leaned in closer, their eyes widened.
Did he like it? asked Adam as if Winks wasn't even there.
I sure hope so she replied. Adam gulped. I mean, it's not every day a girl willingly goes down into your cabin and takes all your dirty clothes and washes them for you is it?