AN: Please keep reading and reviewing! You guys are awesome!
For the first time, Alley woke up first. Snoddy's head was still resting in her lap and she decided to shimmy down into his arms to rest against his chest where it was warmest. She sighed and tried to ignore his two purple and blue shiners.
She must not have been as smooth as she thought she was being because her movements woke Snoddy up before she was even totally in his arms. She gasped and giggled, caught red handed as Snoddy woke up. "How are you feeling," she asked, softly brushing his long hair away from his swollen eyes. "Can you even see?"
"I'm fine. I just need to rest today," he answered.
She nodded quickly. "Okay. We'll stay here today."
"No, Alley. You need to sell," Snoddy insisted.
"Why? Why do I need to sell," she demanded.
He sighed. "You need the money, Alley. Come on. Plus, it'll get suspicious if we both just disappear today. Go and tell Weasel I'm sick. You can do that for me, can't you?"
She stuck out her bottom lip childishly, as a last ditch effort, and whined, "I can't sell without you!"
"It's just one day," he promised. She pulled her dress out of the closet and stepped into it, facing away from Snoddy. After an awkward moment of silence, Snoddy crossed the room and opened the door, letting in a very sleepy Boots. "Boots will help you with your dress," Snoddy announced. He knew he couldn't do it himself, with his bruised and raw knuckles. Alley stood perfectly still as little Boots stumbled with the ribbon and buttons on the back of her dress. Though it took twice as long as usual, Boots did a fine job.
Finally, Snoddy and Alley found themselves alone. "I like when you do it better," Alley muttered.
Snoddy smiled sadly and opened the door out of the bunkroom for her. "Blink will sell with you today. He knows our routine," he informed her.
She peered out of the room and saw Blink standing there patiently. She nodded slowly, hesitant to take on the day without Snoddy. Finally, she stepped out and greeted Blink in the hallway. On the way to the distribution center, Blink made polite small talk, thanking Alley again for the haircuts and joking about who's shave was closest. Finally, he asked, "How's Snoddy?"
"He's fine. I can take care of him," Alley answered honestly, smiling at Blink politely.
After they bought their papers, Alley was surprised to see Blink heading in the direction of her and Snoddy's selling spot near the factories downtown. "We can...we can sell near the harbor with Mush like you always do," Alley assured Blink.
Blink chuckled and winked at her. "No can do, doll. I'm under strict orders from Snoddy."
Sure enough, throughout the day, Blink did all of the things Snoddy would have done. Clearly, Snoddy had educated him well. Blink tied Alley's shoes for her, held her hand while she sold her last few papes (it was a system Alley and Snoddy had perfected and it really did work), knew exactly what to order Alley for lunch and how much it cost, and even knew what deli to stop into after selling. Alley was quite satisfied with it. Even though Snoddy couldn't be there, he had made sure she wasn't alone. For the millionth time, Alley thought of how grateful she was that she had Snoddy as a selling partner and best friend.
Alley was grateful that it was Sunday and the owner of the deli was itching to get rid of all of his stale products that had piled up during the week. Alley was able to buy plenty of burnt bread and old ham for Snoddy to fill his belly with. She hurried back to the lodge quickly, a distracted Blink following behind gnawing on a large hunk of bread. She rushed through the lobby and into her sick room to find Snoddy snoozing on the bed and Snipeshooter sitting on the windowsill, reading a week old paper casually.
"Figured you'd want me to keep an eye on him for you, doll face," Snipeshoter cooed sweetly.
She smiled at him brightly, appreciative of the gesture. "How long has he been sleeping," she asked, brushing his hair from him eyes to examine his injured eyes.
"Oh, well, all day," Snipeshooter answered.
"All day? You've been here all day? You mean, you didn't sell today?"
"No," Snipes answered. "Blink took care of you and I took care of Snoddy for you. Did I do a good job?"
"You did a great job," she assured him and sent him off to play with Boots. Carefully, she woke Snoddy up. "Snoddy! I have ham for you," she cooed in a sing song voice.
Slowly, he woke up and pulled himself upright. He put his arms up to rub his eyes and she quickly grasped them before he could. Finally, coming to his sense, he looked up at her and smiled. "Al," he said simply. "How was your day?"
"I heard a rumor you slept all day," she said, handing him the napkin full of ham shavings. He nodded and hungrily ate the food she offered him.
"Snoddy how are you gonna sleep tonight now," she exclaimed.
"Whatcha gonna do about it," he teased, pursing his lips saucily.
She rolled her eyes and laughed, brushing his long hair from his eyes for what felt like the millionth time. "Come on! You need a haircut," she exclaimed, before leading him into the washroom and making him even more handsome, if that was possible.