Chapter 8: A promise and A kiss

Grim sat on Crutchy's bed while the guys was out selling the papers. She told them that she wanted to keep an eye on Crutchy's fever but the truth is she couldn't face David. She felt so bad about the way she was acting last in the park. If she could do it over, she wouldn't have snapped at David and she would have just went with her heart.

"Please," Crutchy said in shock, "tell me you're joking."

"I'm not joking. That's how the date went." she said, feeling very ashamed of herself.

"Why, Grim? I thought you said that everything was going so well?"

"I don't know what happened. I really don't. I was enjoying myself with him. He was such a gentleman. He was holding doors for me and pulling out chairs. He made me feel like a real lady. Once we got to the park and I saw how those girls were acting, I…I just felt like…he deserves better. He deserves someone who can show him how much they care about him. I can't do that." she explained.

"So, basically, you panicked." he said thoughtfully.

"Basically."

"You have to let yourself be comfortable with the fact that David likes you and you like him back. The both of you are good for each other. Don't let a good thing go to waste."

"Maybe it was a mistake to come here. Maybe I would be better somewhere else."

"Grim," she heard David in the doorway.

When she turned around, she saw such terror in his eyes. The vision almost scared her. Someone must have died, she thought. She excused herself from Crutchy then headed out to the hallway silently. David followed behind. They didn't say anything for a few minutes but it was Grim who finally spoke first.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Sarah lost her job." he answered.

"Her boss fired her?"

"No, she quit. She got so worried about whether or not if her boss will fire her, she just decided to quit to save herself the humiliation. My God, Grim. Sarah is so damn stupid sometimes. We need money and all she can think about is herself. She didn't want to be humiliated in front of everyone. Who gives a damn? She got to swallow her damn pride and take some humiliation if it means putting food on the table. I hate her so damn much." he said angrily as he punched the wall which wasn't in his character.

"Did her boss at least tell her if he was going to fire her in the first place?"

"He wasn't going to fire her. Isn't that something?" he slid down the wall to the floor, "I'm going insane, Grim. I can't handle this anymore."

She said down next to him but she didn't say anything. She can't stand seeing David like this. She messed up their date last night which he needed the most right now to get his mind off things only to go home upset and angry to hear the news that his sister selfishly quit her job. She knew he heard her talking to Crutchy and she wanted to take back what she said. She didn't want to be anywhere else in the world expect right here with David.

"You have to say something, Grim. You just have to." he said quietly without looking at her.

"Everything I have is yours. All the money I have is yours. Whatever I can pawn is yours. Sarah needs to either go back to the factory with her tail between her legs and beg for her job back or go find another one. You father has to get another job when he heals. I'll help you as much as I can. I don't care if I get thrown out on the street. You have my word. I'll help you. Hell, if I have to be a whore like my mother, so be it."

"No," he jumped in as he looked at her quickly, "not that. I don't care if we were even married and we were going to be homeless, I will never let you whore yourself out. You're too good for that. If I saw any man try to touch you like they wanted to buy you, I'll kill them."

"I…I want to believe that, David." she said quietly.

"Why can't you just let me be close to you, Grim? Why can't you put your walls down with me? I haven't done anything to you to push me away and I need you right now. I need to be close to you because I can't do this alone and I'm literally alone right now. I have nothing. Rent is due next month and there's no way I can pay it with newsie money. I feel so damn hopeless."

"I'll help you any way I can. I'll get you the rent money. Let me worry about this and you just have to get your family on the right track."

"What are you to do?" he asked.

"Don't worry about it."

"Grim," he started.

"I'm not going to whore myself. I promise you, David. Just give me time and I'll get you the money. Just make Sarah and your father get new jobs even if it's humiliating."

David leaned over and kissed her. It was almost like that was the only way he could thank her. She wanted to kiss him back but she didn't think she knew how. Instead, she closed her eyes tight and tensed up. Once he pulled away, she felt very uncomfortable but it wasn't because of him. She just wanted to kiss him back.

"I…um…I enjoyed that." she said.

"I know. So did I." he said and they just sat on the floor in a comfortable silence.