I returned to our bunk house at a late hour. I was stopped a few times by other Brooklyn boys who were out on the docks watching for intruders. A few of them seemed disappointed that I wasn't someone they could start a fight with. I just nodded to them as they recognized me.

I stopped by the table where Train, Topper and Jumper were playing poker to tell them about Cowboy's offer regarding Sheepshead. Train grinned and clapped me on the back, "Good deal, we will let him continue sellin there then." I was a little disappointed; I had hoped that he would want to alter the deal so I would have an excuse to go back to Manhattan.

I looked over at my two roommates who were sitting close together on a bench. Jumper had his usual smile across his face as he glanced from person to person. From under the table Topper pushed the chair in front of me out with his foot and motioned for me to join the game. After few more hands Train tossed his cards on the table, and stood up. He looked down at Jumper who was pulling what had to have been his 6th wining hand from the center of the table. "I swear he can read my mind! I'm out; I'd rather get some sleep than lose more money."

Jumper watched him walk off to the stairs, and then looked around the empty room. He scooted a little closer to Topper's side and pointed at the paper between them, and looked up at where Train had just stood. He watched Topper scribble an answer and when he saw what was written on the paper he looked up and said, "Face."

Topper smiled and put his arm around his friend's waist as he leaned back against the wall. Jumper leaned back into Topper's shoulder and relaxed. Topper looked up at me and asked, "So, ya gonna tell us how ya day went?"

I sighed and settled into my seat, debating how much I wanted to tell him. But considering they already knew most of my secrets, why keep anything from them. Topper listened to my story intently, while Jumper just watched the two of us until he began drifting off to sleep in his friend's arms.

I finished telling him and sat there waiting for his usual big brother advice, but none was offered. He appeared distracted towards the end, he nodded and said, "We can talk more later, Jumper and I have a long walk tomorrow. We're not even going to be selling." He woke Jumper enough to have him climb the stairs. Once in the bedroom Topper turned to me again and said. "Train will be sendin out some of the younger boys to the other boroughs in two days. He has an announcement. And he wants to invite some of the other city leaders to go to the Independence Day fights before he makes it."

"He sendin me?" I immediately asked.

"Little eager ain't ya?" he responded.

I scowled at him as I flopped down to sleep.