Chapter Six

Molly slammed the back door behind her and resisted stomping all the way upstairs. She peeked into the front room before running straight to her room and closing the door. She stripped off Blink's clothes and threw them in a pile roughly, shoving them under the bed. She wiped her body down with a washcloth before putting on a light dress.

She stepped out into the hallway and checked on her dad. He was passed out in bed, snoring loudly. Closing the door, she walked back downstairs to the backroom and got out her tools. She was hoping to get work done on a day with no customers, but she sat heavily down on the bench and stared at them.

She pressed her hands over her eyes, and breathing heavily, tried to stay calm. Blink, who had been her only friend, was mad at her. And in addition to that, she had a business to run because of a father she couldn't help. And Spot Conlon had to bring up old business too. She laid her head on the table and started crying softly, just to let it all go.

Blink sat out on the fire escape for most of the afternoon. He watched the sun setting and Jack came out to him. "What's troublin' ya, Blink?"

"Women." Blink said halfheartedly.

"Molly?" He nodded. Jack continued, "She didn't look too happy when she left us."

"That's her own fault." Blink was bitter about her reaction to his questions. It just confirmed to him that she had something to hide.

"The first thing you have to learn about women, it is never their fault."

Blink just grunted.

"Why don't you go over there, surprise her. May be it wasn't what you thought." Jack patted him on the back and went back inside.

Blink stared at the alley below and started climbing down.

Molly had gotten to work dipping candles and making more pillars from the molds. She wasn't working as efficiently as she normally was. There was a knock at the back door. She put down her things and ran over, opening the door eagerly. Her face fell when she saw Spot Conlon.

"Expecting someone else?" He teased in the old language.

"No, not at all. Come in." In spite of her sour mood, she enjoyed being able to talk in the language of her countrymen again. She held open the door and Spot walked in with another man.

"Molly, you remember my brother-"

"Tommy, of course. How are you?" Molly closed the door and offered them a seat on the workbench.

"Molly, you've grown up well." Tommy and Spot looked nearly the same, except Tommy was two years older.

Molly blushed, "Can I offer you both anything to drink?"

Spot shook his head, "We aren't staying long, but we decided to come tonight for a visit after our unexpected meeting today."

"Oh?"

Tommy continued, "Our father's go way back, and in appreciation of that relationship, we wanted to offer you our services."

"Services?" Molly looked at the two of them.

"We know your father's been ill since your mother passed, and we know you've been taking care of business this side of town on your own." Molly knew by ill, Spot meant drunk. Her cheeks started turning red. "We mean no offense to you, but a young lady like yourself, isolated from friends or family, we wanted you to know that you'll have protection."

"Things are changing in this town," Tommy warned. "And it could get ugly."

"I don't know what to say," Molly stammered a little. "I appreciate your concern, and I know my father would be pleased to know I have you two if I ever need help." She assured them, "The business is doing fine, and none of my customers know that it's just me. Not even the bank knows."

"Just keep us in mind, should you ever need help. Remember, the Conlon's and the O'Malley's go way back." Spot got up from the table and Molly went to get the door. Tommy tipped his head to her and walked out. "I'll be out in a minute," Spot nodded and his brother walked down to the end of the alley.

He turned towards her, "All jokes aside, I meant what I said this afternoon. Tommy's still fond of you, and a girl like you could use a husband soon."

Molly's face turned bright red, "And I meant what I said, when I told you I had someone."

Spot shrugged and grinned, "Is it Blink?" He laughed at the expression on her face, "All right, just thought I'd put it out there. Just let Blink know he better treat you with respect, or there are some Conlon's coming after him." He tipped his hat to her and walked out into the alleyway.

Molly closed the door and leaned against it, sighing heavily. She wanted to sink down to the floor and stay there. A knock reverberated to her through the door and she jumped away. "What now?" she thought.

She opened the door and Blink was standing there, his hat in his hands, and looking ashamed. "Yes?" she said coldly.

"I was listening under the window."

"You were spying?" Molly was still mad from that afternoon and felt her throat getting tight.

"I didn't mean it, I came over to talk, but then they were already there, and I could hear from under the window. So I just listened, and…I'm sorry." He bowed his head.

"Sorry for what?" Molly stood with her hand on her hip.

"For listening in on you."

"And?" she pressed.

"And?" Blink looked confused. They turned as loud voices passed on the street, it was getting late and men were out drinking.

"Come inside," Molly stepped aside and Blink came in, setting his hat on the table. She crossed her arms, "When we were walking back from Brooklyn, you treated me awful."

"What? You weren't answering my questions." Blink started getting mad again. He was ready to put everything aside, and she had to bring it up.

"I did answer your questions! At least I tried to, until you starting insinuating something between me and Spot, which was never there!"

Blink's face turned red, "It sounded pretty bad, with those guys laughing like that. What was I supposed to think? Now I know, but I didn't know then…that…" he trailed off and stared at the ground.

"What?"

"That you were choosing me over Spot's brother." Blink scratched his head, embarrassed.

Molly pinched her lips together, "You heard that part too?"

Blink nodded and started to say something, but Molly cut him off. "There's a reason I didn't want you to hear that. I'm not saying I want to marry you, or that you should even love me." She felt like crying. "I like you a lot, but I'm not going to assume you feel the same way. I just wanted to see where this was going."

"Molly-" He reached his hand out.

"You don't even have to say anything, we can just stay being friends. I know you kissed me that one time, but really, you don't have to feel obligated. I-" Blink cut her off. He wrapped his arms around her, and pressed tightly against her. He put his hand on the back of her neck and kissed her deeply. He pulled away, and she smiled, "Oh."

Her cheeks looked a little pale, "Is it warm in here?" She held her hand to her head and Blink grabbed her as her knees buckled. He set her down on the bench and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, giving her a little shake. She opened her eyes, but kept her head on Blink's shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Blink whispered, concerned.

"I'm fine. I get lightheaded from the heat sometimes." Blink kissed her on the forehead and she smiled.

"I'm sorry I got jealous, and treated you like that."

"Thank you…" She leaned into his arms, grateful to be held. She asked suddenly, "What's your real name?"

"Nicholas Granger. My brothers call me Nick."

"Nick." She thought it suited him.

Blink felt a little thrill to hear her say it. "You're just about the only one outside my family who knows that."

"Do you still want me to call you Blink?"

"You could call me Nick when we're alone, I wouldn't mind that."

"And what should I call you?" A booming voice came from the apartment stairs. They looked up, and Blink dropped his arms to his side, leaping up. A tall, broad shouldered man, with wild grey hair was standing at the foot of the stairs and ducked under the doorframe to enter the workroom.

Molly stood up, "Father."