Chapter Seven

Blink looked back and forward between Molly and her father. Her father did not look happy. She walked between her father and Blink. "Father, this is my friend, Nicholas Granger, I hired him as an assistant and a delivery man. Nicholas, this is my father, Seamus O'Malley."

Blink stepped forward, his hand out. Seamus stepped away from the door and gripped his hand, shaking it firmly. Blink tried to hide how hard Seamus had shaken his hand. He had no doubt that this man could break his arm if he wanted.

"Do you often work on Sundays?" His voice was loud and deep.

"We've been very busy lately." Molly crossed her arms, looking defiant.

Seamus looked at her and frowned, and a deep sadness came into his eyes. "I'm going out." He looked at Blink, "And you should go back to where you came. I don't want to see you here past dark from now on."

"We have some cleaning up to do first." Molly grunted defiantly. Seamus looked at Molly, but didn't say anything. He walked out the back door and shut it loudly.

Blink watched him leave and then looked back to Molly. Her face was red with shame, and starting to crumple. A lot of things were starting to make sense to Blink. He grabbed her as she started to cry, and she buried her face in his chest. "Now you know. My father's a drunk! Ever since my mother died, he hasn't been in the shop in months." She was starting to hiccup and was becoming hysterical, "He ca-can't stand to look at m-me! I look too mu-much like her."

Molly sank to the floor and Blink bent down, picking her up. He carried her up the stairs and managed to get the door open. He walked down the hallway and peeked into each of the rooms until he found one that looked like hers. He sat her down on the bed and looked around, finding a water pitcher on a vanity. He grabbed a washcloth, poured water over it, and then rung it out.

Molly was already starting to calm down, and he put the washcloth over her eyes. He sat on the edge of the bed awkwardly, feeling a little embarrassed for being in her room. "I'm sorry," she said softly, "I don't know where that came from."

"It's alright." He grabbed her hand. "I had a feeling, that something was going on. He doesn't…he doesn't get violent with you?"

"No, he's really happy when he drinks, and he seems like how he used to be. And when he's sober, it's like all the life is gone." Blink tightened his grip on her hand when she sniffed loudly. "I don't know what to do. I even brought the priest over one day, but it didn't help at all." Molly sat up and took the washcloth off her eyes. "I didn't mean to drag you into this. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I don't know what to do either, but I'm gonna stay with you."

Molly gave him a sad smile and kissed him softly. She pulled back for a second and then kissed him again, harder this time. She rubbed his cheek with her thumb and grabbed one his suspenders with her other hand. Blink was surprised, but put his fingers into her soft hair and breathed deeply as she kissed him. His cheeks grew flushed and his whole body warmed, responding as she pressed her chest against his.

She brushed her fingers across the open neck of his shirt and started fiddling with the top button, her hand trembling. He pulled away and took her hand, "What are you doing?"

The room was dark, but Blink could see her bite her lip. "I don't know…I just…"

"I don't think we should do this." He almost couldn't believe his own voice. He could feel the pressure in his groin, and the thought of her naked beneath him made him want to explode.

Molly pulled away from him and leaned against the headboard. She pressed her thighs together and tried to ignore the pleasantly warm sensation that had formed between her legs. "I'm sorry, you're right. I shouldn't have. I don't know what I was thinking."

"It's not that I don't want to!" Blink moved forward and took her hand again. "But, you're just upset right now, I'm afraid you'll regret it." He spoke softly, and at the same time, wished he could take it all back.

Molly felt a little bit better, and she knew he was right, but it didn't change the fact that she wanted him.

"I should go," Blink wanted to get out of her bed before he changed his mind. "Why don't you get some sleep? I'll clean up downstairs and lock up."

"Okay," her voice was small and he brought his lips to hers, kissing her a little more fiercely than he meant to, but she was smiling when he pulled away. Three words popped into his mind, and his throat went dry.

He backed out of the room quickly as he said his goodbyes, closing her bedroom door behind him. He put the fire low under the kettle, and rushed through straightening and sweeping the backroom. He was rough and sloppy, and kept trying to forget about what might have happened. His groin ached, as if punishing him for not going through with it. As Blink locked up, he knew there would be no end to the teasing for being out late, but there was no way he would let them know what had happened.

Sure enough, back at the lodging house, he was set upon with questions. Mush started in on him first, "Where you been all night Blink?" He grinned as Blink walked through the door.

"I went for a walk, Mush." Blink smiled.

"Went for a walk, ha! Can you believe this guy?" Mush followed him up the stairs. "Spill the beans, you was with that girl again."

"I think I'm going to bed early, I'm pretty tired after my walk," Blink grinned and Mush's mouth dropped open. Blink backed into the bedroom.

Mush walked back down stairs, his voice high, "Did you hear that?"

Jack threw an old paper at him, "He's pullin' your leg Mush."

As Blink started undressing, Skittery came into the room. "At least Mush believed you."

"What?" Blink looked up as Skittery leaned against the bunk next to him.

"You ain't been with a girl. I can see the frustration on your face."

"Shove off, Skittery." Blink gritted his teeth.

He held up his hands. "I mean no disrespect, towards you or the lady. I just came up here to give you some advice." He tilted his head, waiting for Blink's reaction.

Blink narrowed his eyes, "What kind of advice?"

"It's been no secret that I've frequented some women," he put his hands behind his back and walked closer to Blink. "And the main difference between women and girls, is a woman is gonna tell you exactly how she wants it. A girl, she has no clue. So you gotta know what you're doing."

"And?"

"So, I'm gonna let you in on a few secrets. Unless you don't wanna hear, of course." Skittery backed away.

"No!" Blink hadn't meant to sound so eager. "I mean, I'll listen to what you say. But, why don't you tell all the guys this stuff?"

"Blink, Blink, Blink!" He spoke languidly, "You don't give out the best stuff to everybody. I'm letting you in 'cause I respect you. And because of that, I have just one little condition."

"What?" Blink said guardedly.

"What kind of girl is Molly?"

"What are you trying to say?" Blink got into his face, clenching his fists.

Skittery slapped him on the shoulders, "Alright, a nice girl then! My condition is this: keep in mind what kind a girl you've got, 'cause if you get her into trouble, you better be prepared to face the consequences."

Blink calmed down, "Oh." He was a little confused, "That seems out of character for you."

"Alright, two conditions then: keep what I tell you to yourself."