AN: A shorter chapter today! It's been hard to update as I'm starting my freshman year of college and trying to adjust the best I can! Please review!
Alley knew Snoddy won't be ready to sell the following day, he was still stumbling around blindly from the terrible shiners, and she expected to sell with Blink again. Imagine her surprise when none other than Jack Kelly was standing outside her sick room waiting for her the following day.
Without saying a word, she turned around and lifted her hair. He finished lacing her dress for her and completed the task with an awkward pat to her shoulder. She smiled up at him and, looking around, said, "Where is Blink?"
Jack grinned. "He won't be selling with you today. You'll be with me!"
She couldn't help but giggle. Jack Kelly's smile was contagious. "Perfect," she exclaimed and they hurried down the stairs and through the lobby on their way to the distribution center. On the short walk there, Alley spotted Blink walking with Mush on the opposite side of the street and waved but he hung his head and avoided his glance. Surprised and embarrassed, Alley looked up at Jack to see if he'd caught on to what had happened. She was sure he did, of course, because he was growling up a storm and his nostrils were flared up in anger.
"I'll take care of him. Don't you worry," Jack huffed. "Don't you worry."
"Jack...why isn't Blink selling with me today," Alley asked slowly. She was confused and trying to get a grasp for the situation.
"Well, you see, last night in the bunkroom Blink wouldn't quit blabbering about you and your day together and how he got to hold your hand and stuff. So I told to steer clear of you and that the only person who was going to sell with you besides Snoddy is me," Jack explained proudly, his chest sticking out.
"You didn't let Blink sell with me today because he enjoyed selling with me yesterday," Alley asked, even more confused. They were approaching the distribution center now. The bells had already rang and the boys were waiting around for Jack to get his papers first.
"No, I didn't let Blink sell with you because he was getting attached to you. And you belong to Snoddy," Jack answered, parting the crowd and leading her to the font of the line. Their conversation ended there as Jack approached Weasel in the window and asked for 'da usual.' Weasel gave him his hundred papers and SideAlley stepped up to buy her merchandise next.
"90 papes," she requested, holding out her hands to receive her papers.
"Where's your friend, girl," Weasel sneered in response, holding out a hand to stop the boy who was handing Alley her papers.
"Right here, Weasel. I'm right here," Jack answered for her, looming behind her protectively and placing his hands on her shoulders.
"No, the other one. You know, the one who follows her around," Weasel asked, glaring at Alley.
"He doesn't follow me around! And he's just got sore throat so Kloppman said he could sleep in," Alley exclaimed, glaring right back at him.
"Don't worry about it, Weasel. Don't worry about it," Jack cooed, always the leader, as he took Alley's papes off of the counter and followed her out of the distribution center. "Alley! Alley!" Jack called after her, running a bit to catch up to her.
"I wanna go back to Snoddy," she growled when he did.
"Al, there's nothing to worry about. Me sources tell me that Oscar and Morris are doing better than expected and aren't talking to the Bulls. Snoddy's fine. Stay awhile. Sell some papes," he said, flopping the heavy 190 papes into her arms.
She giggled and swayed a little bit under the weight until Jack laughed and took the stack back.
Alley had a fine day selling with Jack. He was kind and courteous and, like Blink the previous day, knew exactly the routine she followed with Snoddy. Once again, it was as if she had a part of Snoddy even in his absence.
That evening, Alley once again raced back to the lodge to check on Snoddy. Unlike the previous day when Snipeshooter had been in her sick room with him, she found Boots laying on the floor next to her bunk and a sleeping Snoddy.
"How ya doin', kid," she asked, happy to see Snoddy hadn't been left alone.
"Good! Snipes said since Blink sold with you and he watched Snoddy yesterday, Jack and I were supposed to take over today," he informed her, scrambling up from the ground.
"That is very kind of you! Thank you," she said sweetly and he took off with a nod.
She roused Snoddy from his sleep gently and was just starting to tell him about her day when she heard a crash and a bang from downstairs. They looked at each other confused and continued talking, figuring Race and Skittery were just at it again. But, just a short minute later, Boots came scrambling back into the room, clearly frightened.
"It's da Bulls," he exclaimed. "It's da Bulls!"