The dad looked over his shoulder and saw his son�s muddy cleats stepping on an old newspaper. �Hey watch were your standing!� He yelled. �I�m trying to clean out the attic that�s all.�

The boy picked up the newspaper and read the headline �Newsboys Win Strike of 1899.� He set his water on the table and sat down in the closest chair picking up a journal. �What�s this?� He asked flipping through it.

The dad stopped what he was doing and shrugged. �I believe that is Laura�s journal. She kept one once she settled down in Manhattan.�

�I didn�t know her and Jack broke up.� He said skimming through a page.

The dad laughed. �It�s a long story...�

The boy�s head popped up. Ever since he was little he always loved hearing his dad�s �long� stories. �Care to tell me about it?�

The dad looked at the mess in the room and thought he should take a break. �Sure.� He climbed up in the chair adjacent to his son. �It happened about 10 months after she had gotten there...� He begun.

Laura shrugged as she followed her friend. �We see other people...�

�So does that mean your like your on call or a back up person?� Holly asked now confused.

Laura laughed. �No, I don�t think so. It just means that we can see other people and not get upset over it.� She said trying to reassure herself.

�I don�t get it you two had been going out and doing so well for so long. What happened?�

Laura shrugged getting tired of the questions. She didn�t get any sleep over this last night and didn�t want to keep thinking about it. �Guys this stuff happens. Maybe we�re not meant to be.�

�That�s like saying Spot isn�t meant to be in Brooklyn.� Blue said selling one of her papers. Her and Spot had have a rocky month or two. There was a new girl selling there turning every head in Brooklyn and Manhattan. �I bet it was that bitch Jennie.� She said rolling her eyes.

Holly ignored Blue�s comment and continued with her questions. �So tell me again what exactly happened?�

Laura sighed knowing that this would never end. �It was a mutual decision. We were out walking the streets and Jack was like �Is this relationship going anywhere? and-�

�It sounded like Jack�s fault.� Holly said cutting Laura off.

�AND I said I don�t know.� Laura said glaring at Holly. �He then asked me if it would be the end of the world if we saw other people. I said I thought it would be a good idea to do so. So that was about it. Now if you don�t mind I do need to make a living somehow.� She said walking away before Holly and Blue had a chance to ask her anymore questions. Of course she left out the part when she started yelling at Jack and cried herself to sleep that night but she thought that now she had all of her emotions out she would be ok.

****

�What do you mean see other people?� Mush asked shocked. �You two are like the two love birds in the house!�

Jack laughed. �I don�t know Mush. I didn�t feel my heart skip beats when ever I saw her. Maybe we lost that loving feeling.�

Mush rolled his eyes. �I think your afraid.�

�Afraid of what?� Jack asked confused.

�The �C� word.�

�Commitment? I was with Sarah for almost two years.�

�But you knew that sooner or later she would leave to go to a better school.�

Jack rolled his eyes. �We left it at seeing other people.�

�I�m telling you Jacky boy that means you two are broken up. Gone. Finish. No more Jack and Laura. It�s now Jack Kelly and Laura Rivers.�

�Riiiight. I need to go sell. You just keep thinking that ok buddy?�

�I�m not crazy I know what I�m talking about.� Mush yelled at Jack walking down the street.

Laura was walking down the street passing the alley where the incident happened 10 months ago. She remember the weeks following that day when Jack spent every waking moment with her. Hand and hand helping her around the lodging house. Giving her flowers, even though she swore they were weeds but never question the thought behind them. She sighed looking down the alley one last time before she found a nearby bench to take a break.

�Excuse is this seat taken?�

Laura snapped out her daze and shook her head. �No, sorry.� She scooted her papers closer to her and continued looking down the street. �Excuse me again.� The man said interrupting Laura�s daze time. She was getting annoyed but still kept her composure.

�Yes?� �I�m sorry if I�m bothering you but I just wanted to say your eyes are so-�

The man got a concern look on his face. �If you need a place to sleep at night I know of-�

�Oh no. I just broke up with my boyfriend, well I guess I should say ex boyfriend last night.�

The man had a small grin on his face. �If you don�t mind me saying someone should knock some sense into him.�

Laura blushed a little. �That�s what I think.�

�The name is Caleb.� He said sticking his hand out.

Laura looked down at the hand and lifted hers up. �I would shake your hands but their dirty.� The man didn�t care and took her hand into his.

�It�s just dirt, it does come off.�

Laura nodded her head. �The name is Laura...� All of a sudden Laura heard a plop and looked down at the stack of papers. �Oh come on of all the places birds shit it has to land on my papers! Oh excuse me.�

�You sell these?�

Laura shyly shook her head. By the way the man dressed she figured he was some kind of big wig. �What do you do?�

�The complete opposite. I write for this paper. See� He said taking a paper and finding the page his section was on.

Laura looked down and started to laugh. �The obituaries? How exciting!� She said sarcastically.

�Oh yes the excitement never ends.�

Laura looked down the street and saw Blue and Holly walking into Tibby�s. �Well I need to go but nice talking to you.� She said standing up.

�The pleasure is mine.� The man stood up and shook Laura�s hand. Laura smiled back at him as she went inside Tibby�s.

�Hey there you are! We�ve been looking everywhere for you!�

�Why?�

�Spot is here. He�s been looking for Jack all day.� Blue said.

�So? He is always looking for Jack.�

Blue looked down then at Holly. �Supposedly there is some trouble in Brooklyn involving Jennie and Spot is planning on asking Jack if she can come here.�

�Does he not know that you will kill her if she stays here?�

Blue laughed. �Well now that her dirty paws will be off of Spot she�ll probably be hunting for another newsie. Mush maybe, or even Jack.� She said looking to see what my expression was.

I shrugged trying to act all cool but inside I was ready to kick Jennie�s scrawny ass. �Well Holly will have some ass kicking to do if that�s the case.�

Holly laughed. �That girl already knows to stay away from Mush.�

Laura was about to add something else to the conversation but she saw Jack and Spot walk in. It had been the first time seeing Jack since the previous night. Her eyes followed Spot and Jack walking towards them. �Stay cool� she thought to herself. �What�s up fellas?� She said casually.

�There�s going to be a new girl in town.�

Blue dropped her french fry and shook her head. �Over my dead body!�

Jack sighed knowing that this was going to be a problem with Blue. �She needs a place to stay. We can�t just kick her out in the streets. We watch out for fellow newsies.�

�Just because she carries papers around doesn�t mean she�s a newsie!� Holly said.

�Yeah! Who says we can�t just kick her out to the streets?�

�If that was the case then Laura wouldn�t be here.� Jack said trying to prove Blue wrong.

�Don�t bring me into this.� Laura said pushing her chair away from the table.

�She�s staying and that�s the end of the conversation.�

Blue suddenly stood up making her chair fall back. �Oh come on! Kelly the only reason why you want her here is because you like her.� Blue quickly realized what she had just said and looked over at Laura�s expressionless face. The room became quiet and looked at Laura.

Laura tried to smile but that was the last thing she wanted to do. �Breath, breath, breath� Laura kept telling herself. �Hell if I was gay I would go out with her.� She said trying to make a joke out of it.

�Blue sit down! You don�t know what your talking about.� Jack demanded.

�Your slowly bringing Manhattan down Kelly.� She said storming out of Tibby�s.

Holly and I looked at each other and thought it would be best to go. �If we�re not back by 10 probably that means we�re to drunk to leave Medda�s.� Holly said grabbing my arm.

�So that went well? Drinks all around?� Spot said jokingly.

Holly and Laura found Blue�s head hanging over a bar in Irving Hall. �Blue are you ok?� Holly said softly walking up behind her.

�Yeah. I just hate the idea of Jennie coming here.� She realized that Laura was with Holly and a sudden look of sorryness came over her face. �Laura I�m sorry. I�m probably wrong. I�m sure Jack is just trying to help Spot out and let the girl make a living.�

�Naw it�s ok Blue.� Laura said sitting on the bar stool next to Blue. �I would be naive to think that Jack doesn�t find her attractive.�

�So what are we going to do? We don�t have to be nice to her.� Holly said now pulling up a chair in front of us.

�We could always move to Brooklyn.� Blue said half jokingly.

Laura smiled. �I don�t think Brooklyn would want you.�

Blue had a shock look on her face. �Me? Why not? I thought they loved me.�

�Wow to much time with Spot has given you an ego.� Holly said jokingly.

�What do you mean?� Blue said getting up and pushed the stool behind her. �I mean just because I�m going out with Spot Conlon who carries a long nicely made cane with a gold top and carries a slingshot in his pocket and sleeps around with every other girl, does not mean I�m getting an...what�s wrong Holly? Choking on something?� Blue said stopping her imitation of Spot. She suddenly turned around and saw Spot and Jack standing behind her. �Oh hi darling.� She said kissing his cheek.

Holly and Laura covered their mouths trying to hide their laughter. �What brings you guys here?� Laura said trying to compose herself.

�We want to make sure everything is ok with you guys before Jennie comes by.�

�Well with all do respect leader Jack, we could still say we don�t want her here and she would still come. No?� Holly said making a good point. Spot and Jack looked at each other knowing that she was right. �I guess it�s true that guys think with there dicks more then they think with there head.� Holly said smirking.

�Come on ladies lets go prepare are selves.� Blue said grabbing there arms and pulling them out of the place. They were laughing so hard Laura didn�t realize that she ran into someone. �Oh hi...Caleb.� She said shockingly. She turned around and saw the surprise look on Holly and Blue�s faces.

�Didn�t think I was going to run into you again. I was just heading home.�

�Yeah we were too.� Blue said butting in. Laura gave her a dirty look and looked back at Caleb. �Come on Holly I have the feeling we aren�t wanted.�

�Shows how fast she drops her friends. Maybe Jennie will need to take her spot.� Holly yelled back at Laura as she walked away.

Laura laughed trying to ignore her friends. �Why don�t you come home and have dinner with my fiancee and me.�

Laura had a shock look on her face. �He�s engaged?� she thought to herself. �Oh I don�t want to impose...�

�Nonsense come on. She loves to meet new people.�

�Well if you insist.� Laura said taking Caleb�s arm.

Jack was about to head outside when she saw Laura talking to a man he never seen before. A sudden urge of jealously over came him and he wanted to go out and stop her but Spot stopped him. �Seeing other people remember?� He said reminding his friend.

�I still care about her.�

�Never said you didn�t. Come on someone will need to walk Jennie home incase someone, Blue or Holly, want to jump her.� He said with a smirk.

****

Laura walked through the door with Caleb smelling dinner that was already on the stove. �Sweetheart we have a guest with us tonight.� Caleb yelled to his fiancee. Laura felt uncomfortable but tried her best to fit in. The apartment was rather small, 1 room, small kitchen and a bathroom. Caleb could tell Laura was checking the place out. �As you can tell writing for the Obituaries isn�t the most high paid job.

Laura shrugged. �More then I have.� Within a minute a lady that was pregnant stepped out of the bathroom.

�Oh honey I didn�t know we were having guest!�

�If you don�t have enough that�s ok.�

�No no. I just have to set another plate out. Come in.�

Laura sat at the table as she watched Caleb and his fiancee finish making dinner. She felt really out of place and would�ve left if it wasn�t for the good smell of the dinner. �It smells really delicious.� Laura said out of no where.

�Why thank you! I have nothing else to do since people in this damn country look down on women that are pregnant and not married so I�m stuck here and figured why not try and cook decent meals.�

Caleb looked up at his finacee with admiration. �We weren�t planning on this happening,� he said putting his hand on his wife�s belly, �but that doesn�t make me love her any less. When I get enough money saved up I want us to have a decent wedding. Not married in the court house.�

�Understandable.� Laura said in between chews. �I don�t think I caught your name.�

�Helen.� She said sticking her hand out. Laura looked at her hands still dirty but remembered what Caleb had said to her �dirt does come off� and shook her hand. �Caleb told me he met you during his lunch break?�

�Yeah. I guess you could say I was on my break to.�

�I have to say I�m jealous.�

Laura laughed never hearing that before. �I�m sorry but why are you jealous?�

Helen sat down finally getting a plate for herself. �Well look at you. Your free to do anything you want! You can go anywhere, do everything you dream of, become friends with people, truly enjoy life. Not that I don�t enjoy my life. I love Caleb but my parents always tied me down and I don�t think I was able to experience everything I wanted to do when I was younger.�

�I never thought about it that way.�

****

Laura left Caleb�s house an hour and a half later knowing that they would become quick friends. When she entered the lodging house she saw Blue and Holly on one end of the room and the guys around the bunks in a group. �Did I miss something?� Laura said laughing.

�Yeah Ms. Jennie is here.� Holly said in a mocking voice.

Blue rolled her eyes. �I�m seriously considering going to Brooklyn. I think I can handle them more than I can handle her. We all have one thing in common though, at least the girls, we hate Jennie.� She said the last part a little louder.

�She can�t be that bad.� Laura said walking over to her bunk. She soon found out that her bunk was no more it was now Jennie�s bunk. �I�m sorry but your in my bunk.�

Jennie looked innocently at her. �I�m sorry does it say your name?� All the guys snickered.

�She�s using my line! She can�t do that!� Laura thought to herself. �Listen honey, I�ve been here longer than you have been in New York. You don�t go-� Laura didn�t get a chance to finish before Jack pulled her away from Jennie.

�It�s just bunk...� He started.

�A bunk? Jack it�s my bunk!�

�Well actually it�s my bunk. You did the same thing to me when you got here.�

Laura had a small smile her face. �Yeah but that was funny. This isn�t.�

�Laura come on. We have at least three other bunks that are available.�

�I don�t care if you have ten bunks available that�s my bunk!�

�Your acting like a ten year old.� Jack shot back.

�I can�t deal with this tonight.� Laura grabbed her coat and walked out of the lodging house not looking back. Blue and Holly had a shock look on their face and walked over to Jack.

�What did you do to her?� They asked in unison.

�She was making a big deal out of nothing. I told her to grow up and she stormed off.�

Blue looked over at Jennie in Laura�s bunk and shook her head. �You don�t understand do you Kelly? You went out with Laura for a while I would think you would at least realize that this is the first place Laura has called home. She�s practically getting kicked out of her own bed by her.� Blue said pointing to Jennie who was now laughing at Race.

****

Laura didn�t want to do this but she had no where else to go. She knocked on the door and the door flew open within seconds. �I�m sorry but I have no where to go.�

�No, No come in.� He said ushering Laura in the house. �What�s wrong?� �Honey who is it?� Helen said from the bedroom. She walked out putting her robe on looking like she came out of a deep sleep.

�I shouldn�t be here bothering you guys. Your pregnant and the last thing you need is someone waking you up in the middle of the night.�

�Nonsense honey. It�s good practice to what is going to happen in a few months. What�s wrong?�

�I need a place to stay. Just for tonight. I won�t be a bother. I just didn�t want to sleep on the streets. I can sleep on the floor-�

�That won�t be necessary. We have a cot in the closet when guest stay over.� Caleb said opening the door.

Laura looked like she was about to cry. �You don�t know how much this helps me out.� She said. Helen went over to her and wrapped her arms around Laura.

�Sweetheart what�s wrong?�

�No. Of course not. I slept at a friends house.�

�Would this �friend� be that guy you ran into yesterday?�

�Before you go on speculating stuff that isn�t true, he�s about to get married to his fiancee who is five months pregnant. There just two really nice people helping a poor kid out.�

�You should�ve seen everyone when you left! Jack was in a bad mood the rest of the night! He didn�t even want to play cards with everyone.�

�Not my problem. He�s the one whose acting like an ass. I need to sell. I need the money.� She said heading up the line and buying her papers. She was reading the headline when she notice Jack walking towards her.

�What the hell was your problem last night?� He said stopping her.

�You don�t think I had a right to be pissed off? I got kicked out of my own bed!�

�You did the same thing to me when you got here!�

�That is totally different and you know it! I�m not going to have this conversation with you anymore. It�s like we�re going around in circles!� She said and walked away. Laura stopped outside the lodging house wondering if Jennie had touched any of her stuff last night. �It won�t take to long� she thought to herself as she ran upstairs. She looked under he mattress and was relieved when she saw her journal hadn�t been touched.

�I don�t know what happen between Jack and me. I thought we were doing fine. I hate the lost feeling I have now that he can�t hold me in his strong arms...� Laura closed her eyes and slowly turned around to see Jennie standing there. �I couldn�t sleep last night so I looked to see what was making the mattress so uncomfortable! I got bored and read your journal. Quiet funny if you ask me.� She said with a smile on her face.

�You read my journal?� Laura said walking closer to her. �What the hell is up with that? This does have my name on it. Maybe you need glasses or something do you not see it in big bold letters on the cover?� Laura said her voice getting louder.

�I didn�t know that was yours.�

�That�s bull and you know it.�

Jennie shrugged. �Jack is awfully nice ya know.� She said sitting at the closest bunk. �He asked me out for tonight. I said yes.�

Laura shook her head in disbelieve. �I don�t care. I need to go out and make a living.� She said taking her journal and a few of her belongings with her. She didn�t want to be there when everyone came back. Laura was walking out of the lodging house when she saw Blue and Spot selling papers. She was going to take the back way to go around them but they quickly noticed her and she walked up to them. �Don�t sell in Brooklyn anymore Spot?�

�I thought I would spend the day with Blue.�

�Now isn�t he sweet?�

Laura looked at them and shook her head. �He�s darling.�

Blue notice Laura�s hands were full with her stuff and knew that this was a bad sign. �Please tell me your doing your spring cleaning a little late this year.�

�Wish I could. That bitch read my journal! I can�t handle her Blue. I really can�t!�

�So your going to let her run you out of the lodging house? Laura you have changed.�

Laura looked down at her stuff knowing that she was right. �I don�t want to have to hurt her!�

�Why don�t you move your stuff down towards Holly and me. I�m sure it sucks having your bunk right next to Kelly�s.�

Laura stood there thinking about it. She had no where else to go and she didn�t want to bother Caleb and Helen again. �Is there a safe down there I can lock my things in?� She said smiling.

�That problem can be fixed very easily. Kloppman can watch your stuff.�

Laura sighed. �Fine. You gotta hold me back though if she pisses me off. She�s already rubbing it in my face that Jack and her are going out tonight. My guess is that there going to Medda�s summer party.�

�We can always hook you up with someone.� Blue said smiling.

�Thanks but no thanks. If they�re anything like Spot I rather be single.� She said smiling. �Spot did Jack ever cheat on me when we were going out?�

Spot�s head shot up and glared at her. �Laura, you were everything to him. He would never cheat on you.�

�Well if that was the case then why are we seeing other people?� She said and walked away to take her things back inside.

�Poor girl. She�s heart broken and doesn�t want to show it.� Blue said turning around.

�I�m confused on this one to. It seems like he did a complete 180 and changed his life completely.�

****

Laura sat on the steps of the lodging house counting her money she had gotten that day. Surprisingly she got a little extra since everyone at the boxing match never asked for there change.

�Sell well today?� Caleb said walking up to her.

Laura smiled and shrugged. �Enough to survive another day. I believe this is yours.� She dropping 10 cents into his hand.

�Why?� He said confused and taking a seat next to her.

�For letting me stay last night.�

�You don�t need to pay me.� He said putting the money back into her hand.

�No. I insist.� She said putting it back in his hand. �I made a little extra today. Just take it so I won�t feel guilty.�

Caleb shrugged and put the change in his pocket. �Helen really enjoyed you coming over last night. She never gets out except to buy food. No one really talks to her since they know we�re not married.�

�Well-� Laura looked up and saw Jack squeezing through to get inside. He tried not to stare at the two talking but couldn�t help it.

�Is that the ex?� Caleb whispered.

�Huh? Oh Yeah.� She said watching him go inside. �Like I was saying Helen is sweet. If she needs anyone to talk to I�m always here.�

Caleb nodded and stood up. �Well I need to get back home. Should I leave the door unlocked tonight for you?�

Laura laughed and stood up facing him. �No. I don�t plan on anyone kicking me out of this place.�

�Have a good night.�

�You too!�

Laura walked inside noticing that Jack and Jennie were cuddling together on the other side of the room. Laura sighed and went to her bunk searching for a book she had borrowed from Holly. �Damn it.� She said to herself digging around her mess.

Jack looked up and slowly moved away from Jennie feeling uncomfortable. �Lose something?� He asked quietly.

Laura�s head shot up not knowing if he was talking to her or not. �Just a book.� She said simply still looking around. She looked all over her bed and still didn�t find it.

�Are you looking for that book by Edgar Allan Poe?� Jennie said out of nowhere.

Laura glared at her shaking her head slowly. �Yes.�

�Oh! I thought it was an old book someone left behind so I threw it out. Sorry.�

Laura�s jaw dropped. �Do you know how to mind your own business? That had Holly�s name in it for heaven sakes!�

�Laura she said sorry.� Jack said defending Jennie.

�I�m not talking to you am I? I�m talking to her.� Laura said snapping at Jack. �Don�t touch my things. If anything is in this little bubble right here then it means keep your grubby hands off of it. Got it?�

Jennie glared at Laura and turned her attention towards Jack. �She�s a little touchy isn�t she? I found this journal under a mattress last night and I wasn�t tired so I read it. When I found out it was hers I of course quickly put it back. She practically bit my head off when she found out!�

Laura shook her head. �You two have a nice evening.� She said stomping out of the room. Jack watched as Laura walked down the street. He could tell she was wiping tears away. He looked down at his hand holding Jennie�s and tighten his grip. �Lets go to Irving Hall kay?�

Laura walked around a little before she headed towards Irving Hall. She had promised Holly earlier she would show up. When she got there the place was crowded. Laura didn�t know if it would ever be possible to find Holly and Blue until she stopped and saw the two on the stage dancing and singing. �What weirdo�s! Are they doing the can can?� She said out loud to herself. Laura shook her head in disbelieve and headed towards them. �Are you done looking like an idiot?� She said looking at the two, obviously drunk.

�Wait.� Blue said putting her hand out before she shook her butt on the last beat of the song. �Ok now I�m done.� Laura helped the two of the stage and found a table.

�Glad you showed up!� Holly said yelling.

�Thanks by why are you yelling? There�s no music playing now!�

Holly looked around then noticing no music was playing and shrugged. �Sorry.�

Laura laughed. �I�m going to go get a drink.�

Holly and Blue nodded and waited before Laura left before talking. �Ok now you remember how we�re going to do this?�

�Umm yea. When Medda plays one of those slow songs I pull Jennie away to talk to her and you start dancing with Jack and then you pull Laura in to take your place.�

�Good.� Blue made the signal to Medda and Medda made the announcement for everyone to partner up for the next dance. Holly made her way over to Jack and Jennie before Jennie could ask Jack for a dance and pulled her away telling her she needed to talk to her.

�What is wrong with you? I was about to dance with Jack!�

�Umm right.� Holly stopped in front of a closet not feeling like making conversation open the door slowly and pretended to stumble and push Jennie there and putting a chair under the door knob to jam it so it wouldn�t turn. Holly smiled to herself and walked back to the table.

�Lets dance Jack!� Blue said grabbing his arms.

�Sure Spot won�t get jealous?� He said jokingly following her.

�No he�s to busy beating Race.� Blue and Jack looked over at the table and nodded. After a minute of dancing Blue slowly scooted herself and Jack over towards Laura and pulled Laura up. �I�m getting tired. Why don�t you take my place Laura?� She said placing Laura�s hands in Jack�s and sat down pushing the two away from her. �That was so smooth.� She said to herself.

Laura was about to get out of the dance but Jack held her hand tightly. �It won�t kill ya will it?�

Laura looked back at Blue and Holly smiling and waving at them and shook her head. �Them and there stupid tricks.� She said looking up at Jack who had a small grin on his face.

�I thought we agreed to still be friends.�

�Its harder said then done.�

Jack stared at her not knowing what to say. �Jennie was telling me that your out to kill her.�

Laura laughed. �If I am are you going to stop me?�

�She isn�t that bad.�

�Your blinded by her big boobs.�

�That�s not true. You have big boobs.�

Laura laughed and shook her head playfully hitting Jack. �You got some nerve.�

Jack smiled feeling comfortable again with Laura. His hand tighten around hers as they swayed back and forth gazing into each others eyes. Back at the table Blue and Holly were grinning from ear to ear thinking that their plan worked. �Oh no.� Holly said out of no where. �I thought I locked her in there!� She said watching Jennie storming out of the dusty old broom closet.

Blue turned her head and saw a dust cloud and then Jennie. She laughed a little. �Good job Hol.�

Holly smiled. �Yes I know. Spur of the moment type thing.� She watched as Jennie found Jack dancing with Laura and tapped him on his shoulder.

�That bitch locked me inside a broom closet!� She said pointing to Holly and rubbing her eyes trying to get the dust out of them.

Laura tried not laughing. She turned her head to see Blue and Holly laughing so hard they were wiping the tears away. �Maybe she thought it was an exit door and you needed some fresh air.

�She locked the door behind me! Jack can we please go?� She said whining.

Jack looked back at Laura and nodded. �Yeah.�

�Is that a spider on you?� Laura said trying to get a closer look.

�AHHHHHHH Where?� Jennie said jumping around hoping the spider would fall off.

Jack gave Laura a certain looking telling her that wasn�t funny but still couldn�t help but laugh. �I think it was just a dust bunny come on.� He said grabbing her arm leading her out the door.

�So when are you two getting married?� Holly said almost out of her seat when I sat down.

�Good try guys but it didn�t work.�

�What do you mean it didn�t work? You two were laughing your butts off!�

�So we laughed. We�re not together.�

�Give it time Hol. It takes a lot of time to put the pieces back together in a kind of relationship that Laura and Jack had.�

�Wow Blue that was very profound. Where did you see that it?� Holly asked.

Blue shrugged. �Saw it in a cartoon in the paper.�

****

The girls left Irving Hall around midnight leaving Spot and Mush playing cards still. When they finally got to the lodging house they stumbled in the room to see Jack and Jennie making out. Blue was about to say something but Laura stopped her. �Let�s just go to bed.�

�Laura-�

�Bed Blue, bed.�

Blue glared at Jack who was now aware that the girls were in the room and backed off of Jennie. She mouthed something to Jack but he didn�t understand what she was saying. �Ugh you can�t read my lips? Your such a jerk. See.� She moved her mouth more slowly. �Ugh guys.�

Laura laughed. �She�s drunk that�s all. Come on Blue everyone knows you need at least 6 hours of sleep.� Holly helped Laura put Blue into bed. Before Laura walked away Blue grabbed her arm.

�I�m sorry. Really. If you want me to kill him for you I will.�

Laura looked back at Jack then at Blue. �Thanks Blue your such a good friend.�

�I try to be.� Blue turned over and quickly went to sleep.

Laura headed up to the roof deciding to sleep there instead inside that night. She watched the city slowly turning the lights out and every once in a while saw a bull walking up and down the streets making sure no street trash kid was sleeping in a gutter or in an alley.

�Laura?� She turned around and saw Jack walking towards her with a blanket. �Figured you were going to sleep out here tonight.�

�Thanks.� She said trying to smile. �You and Jennie are getting kind of close.�

�Yeah, I guess we are.� He said sitting next to Laura. �You have fun tonight?�

Laura didn�t know if there was a double meaning behind the question but she shook her head yes. �Never knew I could get this drunk.�

Jack smiled. �I�m sorry about Jennie.�

�Don�t apologize for someone else�s actions Jack.�

�I don�t want it to seem like I�m rubbing my relationship with Jennie-�

�Your not. We�re seeing other people. It�s kind of hard not to bump into each other if we�re on a date with someone else.�

Jack slowly nodded. �I still care about you.�

�I know.�

****

The next morning Laura woke up right at the crack of dawn and felt someone�s arms around her. She turned over and saw Jack right next to her. He had fallen asleep with her that night.

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