I heard the door open and I turned in my bed to be able to see.
"Jack, where the hell were you?" I hissed. "What time is it anyway?"
"Sorry, I went out and it took longer than I expected. It's about three, I think."
"Three in the morning? Give me a good excuse as to why you're coming home at three in the morning!"
"I don't know," He shrugged. "I'm sorry"
I laid back on the bed, my head had just grazed the backboard on the way down. I sighed, "Just get in the bed, Jack. It's too late and I'm two tired to go back and forth about anything." Jack did as he was told and I turned over in bed, I didn't even want to see him. ]
The boy had infuriated me that night. I'd spent several hours waiting for him in our room, while everyone else snored ever so peacefully. Finally after a few hours I'd given up and collapsed on my bed (note that I was extremely angry then as well). I closed my eyes and sighed again .
"You seem pretty upse-" Jack started.
"Yes!" I hissed.
"Okay... Calm down."
I sighed, "Yes, I'm upset because y-you... I can't even right now, Jack."
"Alright, look I'm sorry. I know I should have been home earlier."
"Well you missed out on Coney Island, so ha!"
"I can go there at any time, Maria."
There was a pause of a flustered tension. I heard Jack groan. He rolled over and wrapped an arm around me and nuzzled his face against my cheek.
"Still love me, don't you?" He whispered.
I smiled, giving up.
"Yes, I still love you."
He kissed my temple.
"I'm coming home earlier next time. I love you too."
He rolled over ready to get to sleep. I turned to look at him.
"Where were you tonight?" I asked.
"I just went out to the bar with some friends. I only had one drink, so it was nothing too crazy."
"Sure about that?"
"Sure about that. Happy honey?"
"Yes, I'm very happy."I kissed his cheek and whispered, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
I fell asleep within a few minutes. I woke late and there was a note on the pillow besides me.
Whent out early. Sleep in late OK? I love you!
-Jack
The first thing I noticed was went was spelled wrong and there was no comma next to late, but I pushed that out of my mind. It was sweet, very sweet. Not only was it sweet, it was slightly annoying. I was saving money now for god's sake. I ran my fingers through the mess that was my hair, pushing it back from my eyes. I sighed and smiled.
I did a morning stretch and began to get ready as if I was getting ready for work. It's so eerie to be alone in a place like the boarding house, because people are supposed to be there at all times. Yet here it is empty, hollow.
I couldn't help when in the washroom to look into the mirror. My figure was now remarkably thin to an unhealthy degree. My bones now showed through my skin (you could count my ribs... fabulous). My hair was matted to the point where it would hurt to put a brush through it. I was an absolute mess. I sighed. After a few attempts of making myself look more presentable (all which failed by the way), I gave up.
I heard the door open, scaring me a little bit.
"Kloppma-" I started.
"Save your breath honey, it's me."I heard.
Racetracks voice is completely unmistakeable. I didn't see him, but I heard his footsteps.
"What brings you back so early?" I asked.
"Left some of my money be-"
"Gambling, huh Race?"
He laughed slightly.
"Actually you're wrong about that."
"Really? I am shocked."
"Well good for you."
I'd never noticed before, but I had the slightest of ascents now. I peaked my head out from the washroom. Race was checking his other pair of pants.
"What's it for than?" I asked curiously.
He shrugged in response.
"Betting on horses?" I smirked.
"Nope... Other things."
"What other things?" I pressed.
"Other things."
I looked at him with a questionable look.
"I'm a newsie too." I said.
"Honey, it's complex."
"Since when am I honey?"
He smirked and shrugged.
"Porcelain, I've got to be on my way." He told me.
"Come on!" I protested, folding my arms across my chest and pouting, childishly.
He opened his mouth as if he was about to speak, but than closed it. What was he about to say?
"Race what's going on?"