Hey-oh. Sorry about the update being slower than I thought. My computer's internet is down and I've been using my mom's ghetto computer. Plus I've been trying to make money to but a new cell because mine took a ride in the spin cycle.
Anyways, enough excuses ... just relax, read, enjoy, review.
After getting all of my things from the hotel, Jason and I went back to the ship. He made himself comfortable on the chaise lounge while I took clothes out of the bags, refolded and organized them, and put them in drawers.
"You alright?" He asked me, even though I had my back turned to him.
"Huh?" I said, trying to imitate the tone of an offhand type person.
"Mary…" He said skeptically, sensing there was something wrong. He's one of those really, really annoyingly caring and observant people. "What's wrong?"
Putting down the blouse I was holding I sighed. "Uh, nothing's wrong. Nothing."
"Mary." His patience with my lying was running thin.
"I don't want to talk about it." Just thinking about the situation with Skittery was making that sensation that your throat was collapsing and the only way to breathe again involved crying. Naturally talking about it was going to make it worse. Plus Cornelia and that old woman already had to listen to me feeling sorry for myself and being over-dramatic. Why should I tell him?
"Alright." He said. Well, okay, I guess I did want him to force me to tell and then I'd cry and he'd say something that would make everything okay, but all he did was stand up and leave.
I heard his footsteps go down the corridor and up the stairs onto the deck. I finally released the pressure in my throat and choked out a few sobs. Running my hands back through my hair I tried to get a grip. Taking a deep breath, I went back to unpacking. Holding up a crumpled up skirt, it fell to form its original shape. As if in slow motion, the pearl rosary fell out of it.
Picking it up out of the drawer where it had landed I clutched it to my chest, finding comfort in it. The engraved picture of Mother Mary smiled up at me as if to promise everything would be okay. Slipping it over my head I felt more confidence than I had in weeks.
"Tomorrow." I said to myself, with a strong feeling. The strength seemed to disappear a moment later and I whispered. "God help me."
I finished moving into my room and headed to the next lower level of the ship, to see what was there. It was nothing special, the sailor's rooms that held six men to a room the same size as mine. I felt more than a little spoiled by that. Sighing, I turned around and left, going back to my room.
Finding there wasn't much to do on the ship, I read a little bit of a book on the chaise lounge. The Captain, Leo and Jason all stopped in at least once during the evening telling me I had to eat. I assured them that I didn't have much of an appetite. Once I settled down in bed, I realized I wasn't going to sleep much that night.
I woke up early Thursday morning with mixed feelings. Excitement and fear seemed to be fighting with each other for my main emotion. Looking at the clock in my room, I saw it was early enough to catch the newsies on their way to the Distribution Office. Hurrying to get dressed, I rolled out of bed. Trying to fix my pathetic excuse for hair proved useless and I quickly gave up on it and pulled it back.
I scratched out a note to the Captain, Leo and Jason to let them know I'd be back soon. I left it on my unmade bed and left the ship. Realizing it was a longer walk then I'd given myself time for, I started running. I carelessly shoved past people and received angry looks in return.
About ten minutes of running later I was out of breath, but near the Distribution Office. Laughing at myself, I realized I didn't need to sprint the entire way because the gates were still closed. Sitting down on the curb I waited.
Not long after I sat down, Jack rounded the corner. Hopping up, I approached him.
"Navy?" He asked, clearly confused.
"Yeah." I wasn't exactly sure how to answer that.
"What are you doing here? No, wait. Where'd you go?" He said, changing his mind on what the more important answer was.
"Georgia."
"Why?" He asked, remaining congenial in his confusion.
"My father was injured badly and that's where he was."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" The gates opened and some newsies began filing in. None of the spoke to us, only stared.
"Didn't Skittery tell you?"
The smile slid of off his face. "We don't see a whole lotta Skitts anymore, and when we do," He paused, frowning. "He ain't real chatty. Ever since ya left … he's been different."
I frowned along with him. "Where is he?"
"He didn't come back to the Lodging House last night, so he's probably still be…" He looked at me and stopped short. "Why don't I just show you there."
I nodded, feeling so worried I thought I would cry … or throw up. One can never tell with these sort of things.
Hope you liked it. Skitts WILL be in the next chapter.