Chapter Three

Blink let himself in through the back entrance. "'Morning Molly," he called. She looked up from the pots and smiled a little. It was more than Blink had hoped for, she seemed happy to see him.

"Good morning, you're just in time." She handed him a slip and pointed out a small wooden crate she had just nailed shut. "It's going to the Henry's on 34th street. Use the side door and ask for Mr. Allen." Blink felt his spirits drop, she was only happy to put him to work. He looked at the address on the paper and slipped it into his pocket. "And, make sure he pays you the complete amount. That price is fair no matter what he claims." He picked up the crate and walked out into the alleyway wordlessly.

He found the house easily enough and a servant located the Mr. Allen he needed. Just as Molly had said, he made a fuss over the price, but Blink stood his ground and the man paid what was due. He took his signed slip and headed back to the store. The money in his pocket weighed on his mind. It was more than he made in a month. He thought about all the things he could get right now…but no. It wasn't his money.

He let himself in and saw Molly sitting at the worktable with a white cloth pressed to her hand. She glanced up, tears in her eyes. "Don't you ever knock?" She wiped her eyes awkwardly with the back of her hand as he walked over to her. "I cut my hand," she explained.

"You got bandages or something?" he asked, looking around the room.

"There's stuff in a box on the top shelf over there. And water in that pitcher." She gestured with her head.

Blink got the box down, brought the pitcher over and sat next to her. He began digging through the box and came out with a roll of linen. He whistled when she pulled the cloth away, "How'd you do that?"

She flinched when he started washing the cut. "Uh," her voice cracked as she tried not to cry while he wrapped her hand. "I was rushing and the knife slipped while I was breaking candles from their molds." The evidence of the accident was still spread out on the table. Molly tried making a fist after Blink had finished tying the bandage. It was very painful and she thought of all the things she wouldn't be able to accomplish today. She held back tears of frustration as Blink cleaned up the bloody mess she had made.

"Thank you." Molly looked at him gratefully, still trying to calm herself down.

"Anytime…" he replied solemnly. She looked so upset, he wished he knew a way to comfort her, but all he could think to do was sit next to her. Her hand was on the bench next to him and he tried to will himself to reach out and hold it, but instead he folded his hands in his lap. He hesitated too long and she got up to continue working.

"What was the fight about the other day?" Molly was curious and hoped he would stay around to talk. She was getting lonely lately after working all day in the shop.

Blink shrugged, "Nothing important. Mush just gets worked up easy."

"Mush?"

Blink smiled, "Just a nickname. No one goes by the name their mother gave them."

"Why not?" Molly sat down next to him and resumed popping candles out of their molds.

"Lots of reasons. Some of them ran away from home, so they can't find you if you go by a different name. Or some of them are orphans, and we give them a new name so they don't miss their family too much. It's hard for the younger ones, so it's kind of a way too…make them feel like we're their family now."

"Which kind are you?" she asked hesitantly.

"I ran away. You see, my father died when I was 12 in an accident at the mill. Two of my brothers worked in the mill already, but we needed the money, so I took his place. Lost the eye after two years." He pointed to it briefly. "After it healed I went back, but they turned me away. After that I wasn't good for much, so I decided to head out for the city and here I am. I got a job as a newsie and I've been doing it ever since."

The candles lay forgotten in front of her. Molly looked at him incredulously, "You just left?"

"It's hard to stay around when you're completely useless to your family." Blink scratched his patch nervously.

"Do you ever miss them?"

He sat on his hand, "Sometimes. I miss my younger brothers I guess. And my mother, but she's gone too now, so there's nothing I can do about that."

"Your mother too?"

"Yeah, I got a letter last year from by brother Jake. She had gotten remarried to another mill worker and died giving birth to his kid," he sounded more bitter than he meant to.

"I know how you feel, I lost my mother last winter." Her eyes were sad and they shared a moment of silence. There was a tension between them and Blink put his hand on his leg, trying to get up the courage to take her hand.

They both jumped as the front door clanged open. Molly withdrew reluctantly and then hurried out to greet the customer. Blink sat dumbly and felt like hitting the table with his fist. He sighed. If the boys saw the way he was acting…he didn't want to dwell on the teasing that would follow.

The door clanged again and Blink stood as Molly reentered the room. She clasped her hands behind her back, "Would you like to stay for lunch?"