Chapter Ten

Warm lamplight held out welcoming arms to the people walking by outside the home of the Misfits. Bright music, merry laughter, clapping hands, and stomping feet streamed through the front windows along with the light. Any one passing by would have thought that a party was going on, but this was a regular evening for the seven girls who called the old building home.

Tripper's violin and clear soprano rang out clear and gay with Kitten's fast piano playing. Tripper sang an Irish fold song alone since she only knew the words. The clatter of boots and bare feet against the wood floor gave an uneven rhythm as Shooter tried to teach a complicated jig to Misty and Hawk, who seemed to have two left feet when it came to Irish jigs. The mixture of the music with the girls' fumbling steps seemed to intoxicate Sweeps and Accent who sat on the mismatched chairs, clapping to the beat and giggling up a storm.

Since Tripper had joined their mismatched crew, these musical evenings had become a regular occurrence. Each girl would meet the others at Tibby's for lunch every day before selling the evening edition with the boys. They would come home together, chattering up a storm. Once home, an hour would pass of personal time, before laughter could be heard dancing through the whole house as one of the girls tried her hand at cooking the evening meal. After dinner was eaten and the dishes taken care of, they would gather in the parlor to both sing and dance or have someone read while the others listen and sewed. These evenings brought the girls closer together. They were now like sisters, and no one could ever break them up.

Skittery and his friends found it very easy to forget the reason that they were standing outside the girls' home as they listened to the good time being had inside. Jack grinned at the boys when the laughter grew louder and nearly breathless. Tripper's voice and music faltered for a second as she suppressed a giggle. Squeals and exclamations interrupted the laughter when Hawk's "dancing" made her step on some toes.

Blink's sharp rap on the front door caused all music, chatter, and laughter to instantly die. There was a weird scrambling from inside before all was silent. There were several confused looks exchanged between the boys when no answer came from inside.

"Who is it?" The question was asked by a very feminine voice trying to be very masculine and threatening.

Blink stared at the door like it was going to attack him. "Um, it's me, Blink an' da uddah fellas."

A hyper feminine giggle came through the door to the rather weirded-out boys.

"How do we's know dat it's really our boys? How do we's know dat youse ain't jest sayin' dat ta git in an' do bodily harm to us goilies?"

"Shootah? Are ya drunk?" Blink looked at the door incredulously.

"Nay, she's just had too many sweets. Meanin' that she's too hyper for her own good…ours either." Tripper's voice cracked with mirth.

The boys looked at each other and several rolled their eyes.

"Come on, goils! Youse knows it's us."

More giggles came from behind the wood door and whispers could also be heard from the girls' pow-wow.

Jack was getting impatient and cold. His patience waned with each passing moment.

Several more hyper giggles were heard before Accent spoke out with an English lilt to her voice.

"What's the password then, love?"

Jack had had it!

"What password! Trippah, open dis door right now before I's decides not ta help youse!"

All was silent.

"No."

Jack threw up his hands in exasperation and would have left right then if Dave and Snitch had held him back. Skittery cleared his throat and approached the door.

"Goils, it's very important dat we's talk ta youse. Please open da door."

Silence once again reined as the boys held their breath. Much to their surprise and delight, the door swung open to reveal seven grinning girls. They invited the boys in like nothing ever happened, accepting the glares with bright smiles.

After the girls had hung up the boys' coats, they led the fuming group to the parlor and took seats facing the now nervous fellows. Tripper broke the uncomfortable silence, "So, why have ye lads come to see us this cold evenin'?"

The boys turned their gazes upon Jack who started to fidget. He in turn gave Skittery a pointed look that translated that he was supposed to explain. Skittery rolled his eyes in frustration before turning back to the totally confused girls. Taking a deep breath, he set himself for the bomb that was going to explode.

"Trippah, we's had a visit from dis guy—well—um—I don't knows how ta put dis lightly. Rory, youse uncle's in town, an' he's lookin' for youse."

"Merciful Christ, Mother Mary, the Saints, and all that is holy!"