The bunk room was its usual flurry of activity. Boys were washing up, playing cards, talking, and roughhousing.
Snipeshooter hadn't spoken to anyone for the rest of the day. He was sitting on his bunk absently shuffling a deck of cards.
Tumbler stood in the washroom brushing his teeth.
"You okay?" Skittery sidled up to Tumbler at the sink. Tumbler just nodded. Skittery ruffled his hair and began brushing his teeth. Tumbler rinsed and spit and walked into the bunk room.
Tumbler walked across the room to his bunk, only to find his pillow and sheets soaked with water.
He looked towards Snipeshooter's bunk and met Snipeshooter's hard gaze. Tumbler said not a word. He turned and walked over to a window, opened it, and climbed out.
Moments later, Skittery emerged from the washroom and saw Tumbler's empty bunk. "Where'd he go?"
Itey pointed out the window. Skittery saw the wet bed and sighed. He walked over to Snipeshooter's bunk, where he was reclining.
"Get up," said Skittery.
"Why?" Snipeshooter, his voice hard and defensive.
"Because Tumbler is sleeping there tonight."
"This is my bunk."
"Not after you soaked his bed."
"He had it comin'."
"Look, I know you're upset because Aide embarrassed you in front of everyone today. But you shouldn't have done what you did."
"Why? Everyone else does it."
"Yeah? You don't see Specs doing it. You don't see Jack or Race or Blink doing it. You don't see me doing it."
Skittery turned toward the window and slung his leg to climb out when he heard Snipeshooter mutter, "Only coz you got Aide to do it for you."
"That's it!" Skittery yelled, charging towards Snipeshooter's bunk, but Specs and Itey stepped in front of him in time.
"Let it go, Skitts," said Specs.
"You don't talk about Aide like that!" Skittery pointed at Snipeshooter. "I'm goin' up to get Tumbler, and if you're not out of that bed by the time I get back, you're gonna regret it."
With that, Skittery turned and climbed out the window.
"I'd get out if I were you," said Race from the next bunk over, not taking his eyes off the racing form.
"Why should I? The little jerk needs to learn, that's what happens to snitches."
"What did you expect him to do? Lie to Aide?" Race looked over at him. "Besides, you crossed the line with Skittery talkin' about his girl like that."
Snipes just sighed and rolled his eyes.
Skittery shivered as he climbed up the fire escape. Snow began to fall and a cold wind blew across the rooftop as he climbed over. He saw Tumbler huddled in a corner, his little arms wrapped around himself.
Skittery walked over and crouched down next to him.
"It's a little cold out here to sleep don't ya think?"
Tumbler just shrugged.
"Why don't you come inside? It's warmer."
"I got nowhere to sleep."
"I found a bunk for ya."
Tumbler looked up at him, his eyes filled with tears. "I don't wanna go back in there."
"Snipes won't bother you no more."
Tumbler just looked at the ground. "None of my friends will talk to me now."
"I'm talking to you, ain't I?" Skittery gave him a small smirk.
Tumbler gave a small grin.
"And I know that Boots probably felt the same way as you about what happened today."
Tumbler hesitated and then nodded. "When he figured out what was gonna happen, he told Snipes we was gonna wait outside and then he dragged me out."
"He's a good friend."
Tumbler nodded. "Snipes always acts like I ain't tough because I'm always with Aide, but…it's not just her, you know? I want to be around her. She's the only family I got left."
"There's nothin' wrong with that."
"And I wasn't born on the streets like all you boys. And Snipes says I ain't tough like the rest of you. But he don't know about when Aide and I had to live in Vinegar Hill, but I can't tell him coz Aide doesn't want anyone to know…" Realization dawned on Tumbler's face. "Oops."
Skittery forced a grin. "The secret's safe with me," he said, though this was the first he had ever heard of Tumbler and Aide having to survive in the worst part of Brooklyn on their own. "Now come on. It's freezing out here." He held out his hand to Tumbler. Tumbler grabbed his hand and they stood up together.
When they got back into the bunk room, Snipeshooter's bunk was empty and he was nowhere to be seen.
"I don't wanna sleep in his bed," said Tumbler.
Skittery put his arm around Tumbler and guided him to his own. "You can sleep in mine."
"We'll be bunk mates," Specs grinned from the bottom bunk.
"Unlucky you, coz Specs snores," Skittery smirked.
Tumbler grinned and climbed up onto Skittery's bunk.
"Sleep tight, kid."
Skittery walked over to Snipeshooter's bunk and flopped down on the bed.
"So where'd he run off to?" Skittery asked, toeing off his shoes, letting them flop on the ground.
Race shrugged, chewing on the cigar stub. "Dunno. He heard you two comin' down the fire escape and stormed out."
"Smart kid," said Skittery.
Race looked over at Skittery. "So is it true Snipes gave up a day's worth of pay for a blowjob?"
Skittery sighed. "That's what it sounds like."
Race chuckled and shook his head. "Hope it was worth it."
