Talking It Out....

Still whistling, Jack sauntered into the bunkroom with a careless air. Almost every newsie in the crowded room looked up curiously at their leader. Some even seemed to be worried about Jack.

As he passed Sapph and Race, he tossed the book into Sapph's lap. Race looked at it and then back up at Jack curiously. He ignored all their questions as he continued to whistle happily. He climbed out onto the fire escape and pulled out a cigarette. He lit it up and puffed at it lazily.

He couldn't contain his grin as he replayed his conversation with Megan. It seemed so surreal that he had kissed her, yet he could still feel his lips against hers.

"And what has got you so happy, Cowboy?," asked a voice from beside him.

Jack jumped a little but recovered from his shock quickly as he looked and saw Tempest on the steps near him. She had obviously been up on the roof.

"Heya, Tempest," he greeted, ignoring her question. He had a feeling that she wouldn't like to hear about him kissing her sister. "How's it rollin'?"

As silence filled the air, they both began to feel the thick tension that lay between them. Temp shifted a little, as if to find a comfortable spot on the fire escape while Jack just continued to smoke his cigarette but with a little more agitation.

Finally Jack just turned to Tempest and asked, "Ya still mad at me, Temp?"

"Yes...no...I don't even know right now Jack. I just kinda blew up eariler. I had a run-in with Meg when I was on my way to Brooklyn to meet Spot. We fought and then went separate ways. I guess I was still mad from that fight when you told me about giving her book back." Tempest had stopped fidgeting as she talked. The tension had begun to ease.

"She ain't got da book," stated Jack while throwing the butt of his cigarette in the alley below.

"What do you mean?," asked Tempest as she gave him a quizzical look.

"Well, I went ta her apartment ta return her book. We got in a liddle fight. I left wid da book in hand," he stated, avoiding certain parts.

"What else happened? I know you wouldn't be smiling like you were if it had just been a fight," she said with suspicion.

"Well....I ....uh..."

"Is dis goin' ta be how I always find ya? Wid da 'other guy'?," asked Oscar as he climbed onto the fire escape. "I'se actually startin' ta get worried."

"Heya Oscar," greeted Jack with relief.

"Heya Jack. Takin' care of me goil?," replied Oscar as he sat beside Mattie and wrapped his arms around her.

"She can take care of herself. I just like ta talk ta her."

"We'll talk later Jack. I still have more questions for you but right now I need to talk to Oscar more." She turned to Oscar. "Let's go to the roof. Leave Jack alone with his thoughts."

Oscar quickly got up and offered her a hand. They left Jack alone once more. Jack smiled again as thoughts of Megan made him forget the semi-threat made by Tempest. He began to whistle carelessly once more as he looked out at Manhattan.

"She said she missed the sister that knew her place and would not tolerate dealing with streetrats," said Mattie softly as she leaned wearily against Oscar's shoulder. "I told her that that sister never existed. Then I took off."

"Why didn't you just come find me then?," asked Oscar gently as he held her close.

"I was tired of thinking about it. I just wanted to ignore it for a little while," she said softly.

"Okay. So then what?"

"Well, when I got back to the Lodging House, Jack was obviously upset about something. When I asked him about it, he said he cuoldn't find that book."

"Cause ya took it," supplied Oscar with a smirk.

"No, I borrowed it," said Mattie, ignoring the knowing grin on Oscar's face. "Anyways, I couldn't fiind it either. So Sapphire and Race walk in and ask what's going on. Here, they had 'borrowed' the book from me. Jack said he was taking it to Megan and I...got angry."

"Oh, I see."

"Yeah, so I lost the argument and came storming up here where I managed to cool down. I heard someone on the fire escape and found Kelly there. So I worked things out with him and then you came."

Oscar held her tighter and kissed her temple as all the pieces fell neatly into place. "I t'ink ya should talk ta her."

"What?!," cried Mattie as she pulled away to look at him.

"I t'ink ya should talk ta Megan," he repeated in all seriousness.

"You've got to be kidding," Mattie exclaimed as she stared at him with wide eyes. "I just told you about how I tried to talk to her."

"No, ya didn't talk ta her. Ya let her get ta ya and lashed out," explained Oscar. "Actually talk to her."

"But...," started Mattie.

"No! Talk to her and do it soon. This is killing you. I can only imagine what it's doing to her. Promise me you'll talk to her."

"Oscar, I..."

"Promise."

"Fine. I promise I'll talk to her tomorrow," she answered meekly. She leaned against him once again and looked out at Manhattan as she tried to imagine what tomorrow might bring.

Hey everyone....I am so sorry that I haven't been updating lately. I've been so busy. What with work and band and school and volleyball and all the other things my friends want me to be a part of. Just being a senior this year is causing added stress to everything. Yeesh....oh well. Thanks so much to my reviewers and I will try harder to update more often...like on a regular basis.......Hopefully. Please REVIEW!!!!

Molly