Chapter 5:
"Rose sweetie, I got to get you home. Your aunt doesn't mind you……" Mush trailed off not knowing how to finish.
"My aunt sleeps with men too. Anyway she's more my best friend then my aunt. She is only twenty-one you know. A shame it is that her husband died. I mean he was so nice to her. Then she took up the whore business after he died. Men are always coming in and out of the house. I'm seventeen so whatever. But she does have a young one. Who is near three. When Benny grows up that's how he's gonna think you treat women. I try to get her to stop for the child's sake, but she refuses. I say all the time to Nelly, that she really cant live like this. One day she'll be killed and where will that leave Benny and I. She doesn't seem to care. But she's my best friend. Never did call her aunt. She's just Nelly to me. Mush baby what's wrong?" Rose stopped walking and kissed Mush's neck. "Mush?"
"Sorry Rose, its just that an old friend came back yesterday, but she ain't the same. She's a slut, drinks, smokes, curses, fights. I mean I knew her when she was eight. She's gone and changed so much. Her hair color ain't even the same. She don't smile or laugh anymore. She just glares and smirks. No emotion wha…" Rode put a finger to Mush's lips.
"That's why you weren't as good as usual," Rose joked. Mush smiled and kissed Rose.
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"Fire your such a little kid. Your gonna fall in the water. Get off that stone wall right now." Fire stuck her tongue out at Dolly. "Oh my God. Fire!"
"Dolly stop trying to be my mother. I'm fine. If I fall I fall. Water can't harm me." Fire started skipping on the wall. "Look at me look at me. Holy shit." Fire lost her balance and fell into the water.
"Told you. Look at you Fire. Your all wet. Come on get out of the pound." Dolly went to go help Fire out of the pond but Fire pulled her in. "Now you've done it. Look at this, I'm all wet. Oh my God, my shirt is see through. Fire!" Fire smiled and laughed.
"So you do laugh??" Mush asked from behind the wall. Fire looked up at him.
"Everyone laughs at one point or another. Miracles happen Mush. Join us and bring your lil' girlie friend." Fire and Dolly started splashing each other. Mush looked at Rose and she smiled. They both got onto the wall and jumped into the water.
"Remember years ago Fire we use to play water tag? I remember you hated being it." Mush tagged Fire and the rest of them swam away.
"That's so not fair! Yea I hated it cause you all swam faster then me! But Spot always let me get him! So come on Mush take Spot's place!" Fire swam after Mush.
"No way! You're older now! No cheating!"
********************** (2 hours later)
"Okay tired now," Dolly said. The four of them laid on their backs and let the sun dry them off. "So Fire where we heading?" Everyone looked at Fire waiting for an answer.
"Out of New York." Fire looked at Dolly. Dolly looked at Fire with disbelief. "I know I said I would never leave this place. It's my home. It's time for a change Dolly. Think of the places we can go, the guys we can see, Dolly New York is the old stuff. I want something new and exciting."
"I love New York. I love the people. What about the racetracks. Sheepshead Races. I love it there. You can't take it all away from me Fire, I ain't gonna let you. I'm standing my ground for once." Fire glared at Dolly and stood up.
"Fine you stay here and I'll leave. I don't give a shit about our promise to each other. I ain't staying in New York. You need me to Dolly. You'll see when I'm gone. Have a nice life Dolls." Fire turned and walked off.