�Who�s that?� Camilla wondered.
�That�s Kay.� Snitch answered for her. �She used t� be a newsie.�
�Why isn�t she one now?�
�She �n� �er husband, Pie Eater, had a baby. She�s got �im there.�
Camilla�s stomach dropped heavily. �A�baby.� She repeated.
�Yup.� Dutchy said. �Lil� boy. �E�s named after �is papa. Call �im Lil� David.�
�But�I thought you told me that David has a brother named Les and lived with his family.�
�No, that�s th� wrong one. This one�s name was Pie Eater.�
�Where is he now?�
��E works with �is pa as a carpenter.�
Camilla watched as Kay moved about the restaurant, greeting newsies and allowing them to see the baby in her arms. She seemed so happy, and her face had a touch of pink due to pride of her child. Camilla felt sick. Her nausea grew as Kay wove her way toward her table.
Snitch could sense Camilla�s uneasiness as Kay came closer. In fact, she seemed ready to leave already. To prevent her from leaving, he set his hand on hers. She stiffened, but appeared to relax a bit. And that was when Snitch noticed her wrist.
At first, he hadn�t noticed it. But now that he had a good view, he could see it as what it truly was. It was a scar. The scar was red and thinly shaped. Snitch had seen one like it before, but on a young man who had tried slitting his wrists with a razor blade. Could Camilla have tried the same thing? If she had, why?
So many conclusions swarmed his brain that his head hurt. And this was when Kay finally reached their table. She said hello and asked how everyone was doing.
�We�re doin� great!� Itey replied. �Kay, this�s Camilla an� �er maid, Jenny. Camilla jus� moved �ere.�
�Hello, Camilla.� Kay said with a warm smile. �It�s nice to meet you.�
�The�pleasure�s a-all mine.� Camilla choked.
�So what brings you �ere?� Dutchy wondered. �An� where�s Pie Eatah?�
�He�s working. And I just wanted to drop by and see how Fantasia�s doing. Especially after that blowup with Blink that she had.� She sighed. �I hope everything works out for them.�
�Uh, Kay,� Goosey spoke up.
�Yes?�
�Well, you brought your baby with you, and you usually let someone hold him whenever you visit. I�ve never held him before.� She extended her arms. �Can I hold him, please?�
�I don�t see why not.�
Kay gently shifted the baby and lowered him to Goosey�s outstretched arms. Goosey grinned as the baby settled into her arms and she pulled him closer to her body.
�Mind his head.� Kay informed. �Make sure it�s supported up. His neck can grow in bad if you don�t.�
�I�ll manage.� Goosey said, shifting the baby to the right position.
Snitch watched the scene carefully. As Goosey cradled Little David in her arms, her face seemed to glow. And when Itey scooted closer to her and rested his chin down on her shoulder. It was a sweet scene. One that Camilla had turned her head so she couldn�t see.
Apparently, Goosey had noticed Camilla�s awkwardness and misinterpreted that she was shy of asking if she could hold the baby. Goosey smiled and readjusted Little David for being transferred to someone else.
�Camilla,� she offered softly, �would you like to hold the baby?�
Camilla turned white. �N-no.� she shook her head vigorously.
�Are you sure?�
�I�m sure!�
�Oh, come on.� Cyanne urged softly. �He won�t bite. He�s just a baby.�
�No, please.�
�Aw, be a sport!� Carefully, Goosey set the baby in Camilla�s lap. �See, he likes you!�
Camilla had no choice but to support the baby. At first, he held him at quite a distance from her body. Then, she slowly brought him closer until he was completely rested against her. He was watching her with awed wonder, almost as though he was trying to decipher who she was.
Before long, the tiniest smile appeared on Little David�s face. He gummed his fingers when his mouth began to curve. And even Camilla�s face brightened with the faintest of smiles.
�I think you�re right.� Dutchy agreed. �Looks like th� liddle nipper likes ya, Camilla.� He slid an arm around Cyanne. �I think ya got yourself a friend.�
All of the sudden, Camilla�s face went white. Almost frantically, she shoved that baby back into Goosey�s arms, jarring his so that he began to whine. Jenny attempted to calm her charge down, but Camilla wouldn�t be calmed.
�I need to leave.� She said, grabbing Jenny by the arm.
�But Camilla, ya only jus� got �ere!� Jake called.
�I�m sorry, but I can�t stay.�
�Camilla, wait!� Snitch called. �Camilla!�
The door slammed.
�What�re you sitting around here for?� Goosey said, slapping his arm. �Go after her, ya dunce!�
Snitch came to his senses and leapt from his seat and barged out of the restaurant to catch Camilla. She wasn�t too far ahead, considering the quickened yet rather slow speed she was striding at. Jenny wasn�t too far behind her, and seemed to be apprehending her for leaving so soon.
�Camilla!�
She peeked over her shoulder, but didn�t stop. She did, however, slow down for him to catch up. But she wouldn�t stop. Not till she reached her home.
�Camilla, wait!�
�I�m not going back.�
�Camilla, what�s goin� on?� he pulled into strides beside her. �Somethin�s wrong with you. I know it.�
�You wouldn�t understand!�
�What wouldn�t I understand?�
�Nothing you need to know about!�
�Come on back, please. Th� newsies�re worried about you.�
�Let them worry! You can tell them that I�m fine.�
�But you�re not!�
�Who are you to tell me when I am or not doing fine? You know nothing about the way I feel!�
�Camilla, slow down.�
�No.�
�You�re gonna collapse if ya don�t slow down!�
�Then I�ll collapse!�
�Camilla, your condition-� Jenny began.
Jenny had no need to say anything more, for Camilla suddenly felt faint and had to stop. Her breathing was labored, and Snitch grabbed her to support her in the likely event she would fall.
�Camilla, what went wrong back there? Tell me!� Snitch demanded tenderly.
She shook her head. �No. No!�
�I�m worried about you, Camilla! It�s been years since we last saw each other. Why are you shutting me out?�
Her eyes were puddles of tears. �I can�t go back, Dean. I can�t!�
�Why not?�
�Because�I can�t tell you.�
�Can�t or won�t?�
�Both! And�neither.� She rubbed her nose with her hand. �Please. Just leave me alone. At least for a couple days.�
�Why for?�
�I�m too overwhelmed right now. I can�t be around anyone.�
�Then�will ya come to th� wedding?�
Her heart sank. Attending a wedding would only add to her troubles.
�Camilla, please.� He gently gripped her arms. �It�d mean a lot t� me. And to th� newsies.�
�The newsies don�t even know me.�
�But th� ones who do would wanna see ya there. So�d Seven.�
�Oh Dean, I-�
�Camilla, don�t worry about a thing.� Jenny reassured. �You can do it.�
Something terribly odd was going on. Snitch could sense it between Camilla and Jenny by the way they spoke to one another, and by their exchanged expressions. What was wrong with Camilla? And what was she withholding from him, the boy she had told him would be the only one she would love?
�Maybe.� Camilla finally murmured in response to his query. �I can�t guarantee anything. But I may be able to come.�
He sighed, unaware that he had been holding his breath since he had asked his question. �I hope ya�ll be there. It�s somethin� you�re not gonna wanna miss out on.�
* * *
The wedding arrived longer than Snitch would have anticipated. Perhaps that had to do with the fact that this would be the next time he would see Camilla. But each day he had watched Seven�s excitement grow as the wedding drew nearer. The night before, she had been completely ecstatic. Today, she could hardly be held calm.
Snitch watched her and wondered if Camilla would ever be herself again. Not only that, but if she would act as Seven was when her wedding day would come. In some ways, Camilla was very much alike with Seven. Both were friendly, independent, and appeared to be strong-willed. Or at least, Camilla had been that way once.
Because of Bumlets� limited budget and Seven�s willful wishes, the ceremony was to be held in Central Park. Several rows of chairs had been donated from Irving Hall to help seat all of the guests. The ceremony was to be simple, with the exceptions of the few donations from Seven�s Aunt Diana.
Diana was an older woman who had never married but managed to save and wisely invest her earned and inherited money to live in the upper-middle class lifestyle. She had arranged for several friends to form a string quintet to provide music, a canopy for the couple to wed beneath, refreshments for the following reception, and the traditional attire for the bride and groom.
Snitch and several other newsies aided in setting up for the wedding. The time was ten fifty-two, and the wedding was set to begin in one hour and eight minutes. Because Snitch expected Camilla to attend, he told the newsies to keep watch for her.
As twelve o�clock drew nearer, Snitch�s watchfulness for Camilla intensified. He had done as she had asked and had not gone to visit her at all since they had last seen each other. Still, he was left to sort out the confusions of their last encounter.
Camilla had seemed completely paranoid of meeting the newsboys, and shy of the newsgirls. Then when Goosey offered to let Camilla hold Little David, she declined as though the baby had some form of deadly disease. And the manner in which she shoved him away from her when she stormed out was so unlike her regular gentle manner. And what of those scars on her wrist? Could she be capable of contemplating suicide? And for what reason or reasons?
Since she had returned, she had been nothing but a mystery to Snitch. It was like he had known a completely different girl five and a half years ago. What could possibly have happened in her life to cause such a change in her?
�Snitch, come here!� Nian-Nyan called. �We could use another hand in setting up the tables!�
�Yeah, we need the help of a stud with big muscles like yours!� Psyche said with good-natured humor.
�What, is Mush unavailable?� he shot back with a good-natured jab.
Psyche rolled her eyes. �Okay, yes he is, but you�re buff too! And we need someone with muscles to help us unload these tables!�
Chuckling and shaking his head to himself, Snitch joined Psyche and Nian-Nyan to help unload the tables from a nearby wagon. Once the tables were unloaded, they set the table up for several other newsgirls to arrange the afterward refreshments.
With fifteen minutes till the ceremony began, the newsies were taking their seats and waiting for the few other guests to arrive. Though most of the guests were the newsies, Bumlets had also invited some of the workers at the lumberyard where he was employed to join him for this occasion. Other guests included Diana, Pie Eater and his family, and Specs and Twilight.
Snitch kept a close eye out for Camilla. She did arrive, but not without a chaperone. Jenny was with her again. Snitch raised an eyebrow. Camilla had been here for several weeks now. Both she and her father should know by now that she didn�t need a chaperone anymore. Why the paranoia?
�Ya came!� he cried, shooting from his seat to greet her. �I din�t know if ya was!�
�You didn�t bother to come by and ask.� Camilla murmured in reply.
�Ya told me not too.� He slipped an arm around her. �I saved ya a spot.�
He could feel her tense slightly when he touched her, then felt her relax just as quickly. Though more confusion settled, he led both her and Jenny to their seats and sat beside them. Other guests began arriving, and soon, most of the few chairs that were arranged were filled.
Before long, the ceremony began. The string quintet played a soft melody as the best man emerged: Snipeshooter. Because of Specs and Pie Eater having married and Seven�s choosing Aki as her maid of honor, Bumlets chose Snipeshooter to fulfill that role instead of Dutchy since he would want to spend his time with Cyanne.
Snipeshooter looked rather dashing in the suit that Diana had purchased for him. Having spurted several inches and shedding quite a few pounds within the past few weeks, he had needed a new suit only days before the wedding. The suit he now had was black corduroy with an off-white shirt underneath and a navy blue bow tie.
After Snipeshooter, Bumlets appeared. He too was wearing a black corduroy suit, although he also had a white carnation pinned to the front on his jacket. His black hair was combed neatly and shiny, almost as though he had spent hours scrubbing his hair so it would shine the way it did.
The music changed to the traditional �Here Comes the Bride,� and everyone rose. Aki was the first to appear, dressed in a sky blue Shakespearean-era dress with a tiara of daisies around her head. In her hands she held a very small bouquet of deep purple violets.
Not far behind Aki, Jack and Seven strode out. Because Seven�s father had died and Diana thought it inappropriate for a woman to give out another at a wedding, Jack was the only male authority figure in Seven�s life. And he was all too happy to oblige this honor.
Jack had declined Diana�s offer of buying him a suit as well but had borrowed one from Mayer Jacobs. His suit was gray with a slate blue, sage green and pale yellow striped tie over a white button-up shirt. He looked rather sophisticated, which was a rarity for a man like him.
And with her arm looped through Jack�s, Seven was led down the aisle. She too wore a Shakespearean-era dress, only hers was a tad bit more elaborate than Aki�s. Seven�s, of course, was white, but also had a squared neckline with gold ribbon encircling the neckline, sleeves, and hem of the dress. A gold sash was tied loosely around her waist, and a string of white pearls, once belonging to her grandmother, graced her neck. The bouquet she held in one hand was of white roses tied off with a white satin bow. And instead of a veil, she also wore a tiara; hers made of dried baby�s breath and with several satin ribbons trailing down her back.
Snitch watched Seven�s and Bumlets�s faces as she was being led to him. Snitch had never seen either look so happy before. He smiled, and took a glance at Camilla. There were tears in her eyes, but they did not appear to be tears of happiness for the bride and groom. Then what were these tears for? He wanted to ask, but knew that now wasn�t the time. He returned his attention to the ceremony.
�Who gives this woman to this man?� the preacher inquired.
�Diana Louis, the newsies, and me do.� Jack replied, releasing Seven to join hands with Bumlets.
Jack seated himself, as did all of the guests, and the ceremony officially began. The preacher spoke of the sanctity and wonders of marriage, quoting scripture from I Corinthians and Song of Solomon. The entire time, Seven and Bumlets gazed into each other�s eyes while listening to the preacher and his prepared message.
When the message came to an end, the preacher requested that the rings be brought forth. Snipeshooter dug into his pocket to retrieve the rings, but found that they weren�t in that pocket. He checked the other when he remembered that he had stuck them in his coat pocket. Blushing slightly at the few giggles, he drew out the rings and handed them to the preacher.
The rings available for the wedding were heirlooms from Seven�s grandparents. Though they had been intended for Diana, she was convinced she was past marrying age and had passed them down to her niece. These rings were simple gold bands with the words �And the two shall become one� engraved on the inside of the band.
Bumlets slid the first ring onto Seven�s finger and repeated the vows the preacher recited for him. Afterward, Seven did the same while Aki and Snipshooter momentarily left their designated spots to light two thin, white candles on the small table behind the preacher.
Once the candles were lit, Aki and Snipshooter returned to their places and the preacher stepped behind the table and instructed Seven and Bumlets to take up the lit candles to light the large, unlit white candle in between the two. They did as they were instructed and the middle candle was lit with the flames of both candles. Then, each blew out their own candle and set them back in the holders.
The preacher then produced a marriage license for them to sign, and the signing took place. Once the signing was official, the preacher closed his black leather-binding Bible and set it on the table. He introduced the newly married couple, and told Bumlets that he may now kiss his bride.
Snitch had expected Bumlets to just dive right in and sweep Seven into a thrilling kiss. Instead, he took his time. Slowly, he reached up and touched her face with one hand. With simple caresses, he savored the moment as the two leaned closer and closer, all the while taking their time. When their lips finally met in a kiss, it was sweet and passionate, one that Aki dried a tear from watching.
The kiss had to be cut short once the cheering began. They parted with enormous grins on their faces, and they locked arms and rushed down the aisle, dodging the rice that Les and Boots had smuggled in without the bride or groom knowing.
Aki and Snipeshooter then took control of the wedding party and linked arms to follow behind the newly married couple. Once they reached the back of the aisle, they called everyone over to participate in the reception. The quintet played cheery melodies as the guests rose from their seats and went to join in the festivities.
Trays of fruit, chopped vegetables and meats and cheeses for sandwiches were set up on the tables. Across the grass, several large picnic blankets were set out for the guests to sit on while they ate. A plain white cake with two gingerbread bride and groom cookies on top was on another table for serving later.
The guests began of course by helping themselves to the refreshments and chatted with each other or to Seven and Bumlets. After nearly twenty minutes of eating time, the quintet began playing music again and Jack brought everyone to his attention for an announcement.
�Jus� for fun,� he said, �we�re putting down some hats in front of Seven �n� Bumlets. An� since th� band�s playin�, we�re gonna have some dancin� time. An� if ya wanna dance with th� bride or groom, fork out some cash an� put it in th� hats!�
Skittery and Dutchy volunteered their hats be the ones to gather money, provided the hats be returned to them afterward. The first woman to approach Bumlets with several coins was Diana, and the first to dance with Seven was Jack.
Snitch watched the dancing as multiple partners cut in and paid dues to dance with the newlywed couple. He smiled and fumbled in his pockets for some loose change so he could dance with Seven.
�What�re you doing?� Camilla wondered.
�Seein� how much pennies I got.�
�You�re not planning on dancing with Seven, are you?�
��Course I am! It�ll be fun. Do ya wanna dance with Bumlets?�
�Oh no, I couldn�t.�
�If ya need money, I cin-�
�It�s not the matter of money, Dean. I just�don�t want to be left alone here.�
�Where�d Jenny go?�
�She got sucked into the dancing ring.� She pointed in Bumlets�s direction, where he was dancing with Camilla�s maid. �I don�t want to be left alone.�
�Don�t worry. Ya�ll be okay.�
�That�s not convincing enough. I want someone here with me.� She grabbed his arm. �Please. Don�t leave me alone. Not till Jenny comes back.�
The little-girl-lost look in her eyes was more than what it seemed. Camilla was terrified of being alone. She had been acquainted with the newsies and knew that they weren�t a threat; then why was she so afraid? He squatted down so he could see her face.
�Camilla, listen t� me. There�s nothin� to be scared about. Th� newsies are here. They�re not gonna do anythin� to ya. An� nothin�s gonna happen. Bein� alone for a couple minutes won�t kill ya.�
�Dean�please. I can�t be alone.� She was clinging to his sleeve, almost for dear life. �I�I need you here. Please.�
Her frightened attitude pierced Snitch�s heart. She was so scared. But what of? He had no other choice than to give in, at least until after Jenny returned. She would be along soon, for her time for dancing with Bumlets was running short. He sighed.
�Alright. Just until Jenny comes back.�
�That�s all I ask.�
He plopped onto the ground beside her. �So what�s goin� on with you? Why�re ya so scared?�
�I�m not scared.� She pulled her legs up and hugged them.
�Yeah ya are. You�re tremblin�.�
She straightened. �I�m still not used to this town.�
�Liar.�
�It�s true!�
�Yeah, but you ain�t one t� be scared �f that. Ya got my best friends all around ya. An� you�re still scared. It makes no sense t� me.�
�Well, I have nothing to say about it. I am the way I am and there�s nothing you can do to change that.�
�I�m not tryin� t� change ya. I�m jus� tryin� t� find out what�s troublin� you.�
�That�s not for you to find out.�
�Then who is?�
�None of your business!�
�Camilla, what is wrong with you? You�re gettin� me worried!�
�I�m back!� Jenny announced. �Camilla, what�s going on?�
�Nothing.� She bowed her head.
�We�had a liddle misunderstandin�.� Snitch said, rising. �I�ll be back in a couple minutes.�
He didn�t look back when he went to find a place in line to dance with Seven. Since the dancing would only last a short amount of time, the line moved rather quickly. Snitch was able to take his turn after Swifty.
�So how�s it feel, bein� married now?� he asked her while they danced.
�It�s incredible.� She replied dreamily. �I keep thinking to myself that I�m dreaming, but I know I�m not, and then it gets better and better.�
�I�m glad you�re happy.� He said with a smile.
�Thank you.�
He glanced back at Camilla briefly to see how she was doing. Thankfully, Itey and Goosey had joined her and were now keeping her company. He gave a little sigh, glad that his friends were so inclined to socialize with her.
�You love her, don�t you?� Seven inquired rather suddenly.
His sight went to Seven�s face. �What?�
�I see the way you look at her. Do you love her?�
He shrugged. �I thought I did. But she�s�so changed. So�different. She�s scared, not sociable, �n� doesn�t wanna be left alone. I�m worried about her.�
�Then stay close to her. I think she�ll feel more comfortable with you around.�
�Thanks.�
Jack interfered and tapped on Snitch�s shoulder. �Alright pal, time t� let someone else dance.�
�Okay.� He released his hold on Seven and withdrew. �Congrats, Seven.�
�Thank you.� She responded, beaming.
He returned to the blanket under the Mongolia tree where Camilla had chosen to sit. Goosey was talking to her, although Camilla seemed not to hold much attention.
�Enjoy your dance?� Itey wondered as Snitch sat down.
�Yeah.� He grinned. �Seven�s happier than I�ve ever seen �er b�fore.�
�Why wouldn�t she be?� Goosey said, redirecting her attention to Snitch. �She�s a married lady now. There�s no day more happy for any girl than a wedding day.�
�I think I cin think of another day that�d she�d be jus� as happy.�
�What day would that be?� Camilla questioned softly.
�Th� day she �as a baby.� He chuckled. �I still say three months.�
�I still say ain�t no way that soon, but two months after that.�
�Now, now, now, boys. Let�s not turn this into the battle of premonitions.� Goosey pointed in the direction of the dancing. �Look. It�s the bride and groom�s dance.�
Snitch had failed to notice Camilla at this point, not knowing of the tears slipping down her face. He was too busy watching Seven and Bumlets as they were joined together for the first time since having their lunch together. The quintet began playing a soft, lovely melody with a twang of romance intertwined.
The two were as close as can be with their arms wrapped around each other as they swayed softly to the music. It was a simple yet loving dance as everyone seemed to see the tiny tear twinkling from Seven�s face. Another appeared after Bumlets placed a gentle kiss on the curve of her neck.
It was at this time that Snitch peeked back at Camilla. He could see her scrubbing away tears that left red streaks on her face. It appeared she had been crying for quite some time. And once again, these were not tears of joy, but of�pain? She did have a haunting look of agony etched in her tears.
�Camilla?�
She turned to see his face and her tears began to clear up. �Yes?�
�Why�re ya cryin�?�
�Because�because I�I��
Jenny set her hand on Camilla�s wrist, almost in an odd comforting manner. Snitch frowned as he watched Camilla purse her lips together tightly before blurting out an answer that was less than convincing.
�I�want to be the person walking down the aisle.�
Even Itey could tell that her answer had been thought through. But her feelings in consideration, he said nothing. Nor did Snitch. He forced a tiny smile.
�It�ll happen for ya soon �nough.�
The music suddenly ended, then changed to a more cheerier beat. Snicker and Spot were the first to take place in this dance, and they followed by Nian-Nyan and Boots, then Stress and David, and finally everyone else. With the exception of Snitch and Camilla.
He noticed one of her fingers tapping to the beat and knew that she wanted to dance. He rose and extended a hand to her.
�May I have this dance?� he offered, making a sweeping bow to her.
She giggled slightly. �I�guess so.�
She took hold of his hand and he helped her to her feet. Then he led her to where the couples were dancing and took her hand in his left and set his right on her waist. He noticed her flinch at where his hand was set, and there was quite a space in between them. And once they began dancing, the space remained.
They danced a while before Snitch began to notice other newsies eying him and Camilla rather oddly by the way they were dancing. He shrugged and looked at Camilla, who was looking down at the ground.
�Camilla,� he said, �there�s �n awful big space between us.�
�I didn�t notice.�
�But other people�re noticin�. Get a liddle closer to me.�
She inched closer, but the space between them was still rather wide. Shaking his head, Snitch made the move to narrow the space and moved closer to her. She gasped, causing a tremor to rock through him.
�What was that for?� he wondered.
�You�got so close all of the sudden.�
�Well you din�t get any closer. At least at this distance, nobody�s gonna notice.�
She sighed and allowed herself to stay as close as she was to him. Although she was uncomfortable, she began to relax and not worry about their closeness. She hadn�t been this close to a man for quite some time. Though awkward, she had nothing to fear of Snitch.
Their dancing continued into the next song and the song after that, and Camilla had no desire to leave Snitch. She felt safe when he was so near to her. And safe was something she hadn�t felt in so long. She wished she could feel like this forever.
The music was beginning to slow down, indicating that the dance would end soon. Just as Camilla was beginning to feel sorry the dance was ending, she felt a fluttering in her stomach. She stopped short and her eyes were enormous.
�Camilla? What�s wrong?�
�I�need to leave.�
She let go of him and rushed to Jenny. Snitch followed after her, only to find the two gathering their things and readying to leave.
�Camilla, wait!� he called. �Where�re ya goin�?�
�I need to go home.� She responded.
�What for?�
�I�almost vomited all over you.�
�Are you okay? Ya feelin� okay?�
�No, I don�t. I feel like I�m going to vomit. I should go home.�
�She�s running away again.� Snitch thought as he watched Jenny gather what few things they had brought with them. �What�s she running away from? It seems like every time we get close, she runs-�
Was she afraid of being close to him? That was a complex issue. She had had absolutely no fear of being close to him back when they were children. Now he could see her as a complex jigsaw puzzle with important pieces missing.
�Camilla, hold on a sec.�
�Please Dean, I need to go.�
�Are ya gonna be okay?�
�I don�t know.�
�How long ya think this�ll last?�
�I don�t know.�
�Well, th� newsies �r plannin� on catchin� th� last swim on the season th� day afta tomorrow. If you�re feelin� up to it, will ya come?�
Camilla shrugged. �I don�t know. I�ll try, but if I don�t show up, don�t be surprised.�
�Need me t� escort ya home?�
�No, we can make it on our own.�
�Ya sure?�
�We�ll be just fine, Dean.� Jenny said, almost protectively. �Camilla should just be home right now. Don�t bother yourself with helping us.�
�Okay. I�ll be seein� ya.�
He watched as Jenny led Camilla hurriedly away after Camilla whispered something in her ear. They hailed a taxi and stepped inside, and in no time at all, the taxi disappeared. Snitch sighed once they were out of view.
Cheering was heard from behind him, and he turned around to see what the commotion was about. Apparently, it had been time for Seven to toss her bouquet, so most of the newsgirls had participated in hopes they would catch the bouquet. The lucky girl to catch it was Autumn.
The rest of the reception whizzed on by for Snitch, particularly quicker since he declined a piece of wedding cake. When Seven and Bumlets left all of the sudden, he helped clean up and put away the tables that had been used.
�Wow, that was a great weddin�.� Itey said as he, Goosey and Snitch headed for home. �Wonder who�ll be th� next to take a walk down th� aisle.�
�I�ll lay even money on Jack �n� Autumn.� Goosey stated. �After Autumn caught the bouquet, Jack led her away and we haven�t seen them since.�
�Maybe, but I say Dutchy �n� Cyanne. They was looking pretty close durin� th� weddin�.�
�What about you, Snitch? Who do you think is next?�
�I dunno.� He mumbled. �I�m too busy thinkin� about Camilla.�
�I saw �er leave early.� Itey said. �Why�d she leave so soon?�
�She said she wasn�t feelin� so good.�
�She didn�t look that good either.� Goosey observed aloud. �She looked kinda pale, and even a little bit sick.�
�I din�t notice till we was dancin�. She got real scared-like all �f th� sudden.�
�That girl bugs me a liddle.� Itey noticed Snitch�s frown and rephrased his statement. �Not in a bad way. It�s jus� that she�s always runnin� off. Not only that, she looks sick most �f th� time, an� then she looks scared. Sometimes even paranoid. I think somethin�s wrong.�
�I think yer right.�
�When will you see her again?� Goosey wondered.
�Dunno. I invited �er t� go swimmin� day afta t�morrow.�
�If she�s sick, she shouldn�t come.�
�Maybe she ain�t sick.�
�But if she ain�t sick, then what�s wrong with �er?� Itey asked.
�That�s what I�m gonna find out.�
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