Oscar sighed as he leaned against a large pile of papers. Why did that fag have to lead everyone on a strike? Crap. He was missing his boy toy again. Oscar stood and went to the distribution window just as his brother entered the small room.
"What gives?" Morris asked.
Oscar tried not to sound lovesick as he answered. "Uh, I'm bored, Moron! None of those creeps have been around all week."
"So? Let's go get high in the back room. Wiesel's not here. Come on."
The younger DeLancey sighed. "No thanks, really. I'll stay here."
Morris pulled a bag of weed out of his pocket as he left his brother's side. "Suit yourself, but don't come crying to me when you don't get any."
Oscar just stared out the window, ignoring his brother. He wondered why he even kept this crappy job. Since they weren't in school anymore (Oscar had dropped out), the only time he saw his boy was here at The World. Sometimes the boy would show up on the front page, but that was only when that pesky reporter was hanging around. If only there was some way…
Skittery yawned as he woke up late in the boarding house. This strike they were on was absolutely ridiculous. He didn't have any was of seeing Oscar now. There was no way Skitty was going to go out on his own to find one of the DeLancey brothers. He didn't even know if Oscar felt the same way about him.
Crutchy's face popped up next to Skitty's bed, "Heys Skitt! Glad to see you're finally awake. Only Jack's still asleep, but he musta been real busy last night at Davey's."
Skittery jumped at the sudden sight and sound next to his face. Why did people in this place insist on using surprise as a way of waking someone up each day? "Thanks, Crutchy. I just need to wake up a bit first. But yeah, thanks."
The boy waited for everyone to leave before getting dressed. He must have been having a really good dream about a certain someone. That had made up his mind for him. Skittery just had to see Oscar again. He missed the wink hidden between the sneers. No matter what it took, Skittery would go find Oscar DeLancey.
Oscar was snapped out of his reverie when he heard a little pebble bounce off the window. He glanced over his shoulder, glad that his brother was getting high, and went outside. He nearly fell over when an energetic ball of love flew at him in a bear hug.
"What the hell! Get offa me!"
Skittery untangled himself, stood up, and brushed himself off. "Sorry."
"That's all you can say is 'Sorry', punk?"
"Yeah," Skittery blushed as he looked at Oscar, "That's all." He grinned. It felt so wonderful to see Oscar again.
"I'll bet you a dollar you know how to say more than just that." Oscar said.
Skittery giggled a little bit, "Ya know, you sound like Race now. Let's just forget the dollar and I'll let you answer your own question."