Thank you to the follow I got on this story! Hopefully you continue to enjoy it. Please R&R! –Fighterr

The next few days were a blur, but at least they were a routine. I got up a half hour before the other boys and stole off to the bathroom. Then, I sold papers with Bumlets, ate lunch with everyone, and then sold papers again. Bumlets and I would have our daily fight, and then bed. It was actually pretty nice and I had become friends with a few of the other boys.

I really didn't mess with Jack at all. He was a little intimidating and he scared me. He was a good leader but I definitely didn't want to get on his bad side. Blink and I had become friends, which was nice. He was a good kid and funny. Mush was another good one and he stayed true to his name- anything having to do with girls or love, he was pure mush. It was hysterical. Crutchy was my other ally in the group. He was caring and sensitive, more so than Mush. A lot had happened to him in his life, I think, to make him so aware. I had to be a bit more careful around him.

It was Sunday before I knew it. Bum got me up super early in the morning, and we snuck out of the fire escape, Race trailing behind us. After making sure no one was following us, we briskly walked towards Little Italy. It must not have been more than four in the morning, but we were all in high spirits. Even Race!

We talked excitedly about the food we were gonna eat all day long, but I was mostly excited to bathe. And let my hair down. And brush it out. And unwrap my chest. I don't think I had ever been more excited. We approached our building, and went to our separate doors. I knocked on the door softly, and within seconds an excited Francesca was throwing it open. She enveloped me into a giant hug that I gladly returned.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're home. Tell me everything," She exclaimed, still embracing me.

"Oddio, Francesca, let her inside at least," Sal joked, moving into my line of sight. I smiled at him, and went to hug him. "Good to have you home, principessa."

Francesca closed and locked the door, and we sat down at the table. Fran and Sal had prepared a platter of pastries for me, which I consumed with a great intensity. I hadn't known how hungry I was!

"The guys are really nice," I said, my girly voice sounding so odd to my own ears. "I'm really good at selling papers!"

"Of course you are," said Francesca. "Are you in love yet?"

"Oh my god," I spat out. "Absolutely not. Boys are disgusting in their natural state. I think I'll be single forever."

Francesca and Sal laughed. Sal became serious as he leaned forward.

"No one knows, do they?" His eyes were dark. I shook my head vigorously.

"Absolutely not. I'm quite the actress," I responded. He nodded, looking relieved.

"Agostina stopped by this week," said Francesca, making a face. I giggled.

"What did you say?"

"Oh, I told her that you were looking for work in New Jersey," she said, smirking and blinking her faux innocent eyes. Sal smiled at his wife.

"I'm so happy to be home," I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "But, can I please please please take a bath?"

"Of course!" Francesca exclaimed. "I'll heat up the water."

I walked towards the bathroom. It was pretty small- a toilet, a sink, a mirror, and a very small porcelain tub, but it was perfect to me. Francesca turned on the water on the highest setting. The water began flowing, which was music to my ears. She ran out of the bathroom, and then quickly back again. She threw some herbs and salts into the bath and winked at me.

"A little something to make you feel like a girl," she said. She set down a bottle of lotion on the sink, and soap next to the tub. She also brought in a towel, and then she headed out of the door. "I'll see you in an hour. Scrub away!"

As soon as the door closed, I was out of my clothes in a flash. I threw my undergarments, chest bandages, pants, shirt, and hat on the ground. I jumped into the steaming tub and ducked my head underwater, scrubbing on my scalp vigorously. My head was sore from being tied and greased back, but it felt almost heavenly to wash it.

After I finished washing my hair, I laid back into the tub and relaxed. I scrubbed my whole body with soap, to the point I was nearly raw. My hair hung past my waist in wet, black curtains in the water and I relished in the girlyness of it. I felt like a woman again, and all it took was an hour in the bath to wash away Enzo and bring back Elena.

Once the water became too cold, I got out and wrapped the towel around me. I dried off and then lathered myself with lotion. I peeked out of the door and saw a fresh sweater and pants on the ground which I took gratefully. Once I had changed, I exited the bathroom and walked into the kitchen. Francesca and Sal were there in their Sunday best.

"You guys going to mass?" I asked.

"Yes, Elena," began Francesca. "We would implore you to go with us but-"

"I'd rather not take the risk of meeting the infamous Agostina. Is it okay if I stay here?" I asked, interrupting her so she didn't feel bad telling me I couldn't go. She looked relieved.

"Of course, principessa. Go sleep for a while, you've had a long week," said Sal. I looked at him gratefully.

"You guys have fun," I yawned. "Pray for me."

"We always do," responded Francesca. I was half joking when I had said it, but her response made me feel loved. I smiled at her and then retreated to my bedroom. I got underneath the covers, and was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

I was awoken a few hours later by someone banging on the front door.