Author: Raeghann
Chapter Six: Glimmer
I managed to get back to the Lodging House long before the boys were due home. I wanted a bath and I didn't want to be disturbed by nosy newsboys who were hoping for a peek.
"Hey Kloppman, I'm going to take a bath, keep the savages away for a little while." I called as Kloppman poked his head out from his office. I should have plenty of time, but it never hurt to be cautious. I knew Mush and Blink might come looking for me; I had left Mimic with them knowing he would be well watched after.
"There's a new set of clothes on ya bed Cameo," He said "I found some that might fit ya a little better."
"Bless you." I cried in glee, a bath and clean clothes? I had died and gone to heaven. I gave Kloppman a hug that nearly knocked him over and smacked a kiss on his cheek. He gave me a blushing smile as I glanced back at him while trying to run up the stairs at the same time. Big mistake; the stairs were old, therefore not entirely even, and very steep. I earned myself a few bruises as I managed to keep myself from tumbling down when I tripped. Kloppman just shook his head as I tried to ignore the embarrassed feeling that invariably follows a clumsy moment. You just can't help it
I surveyed the washroom as I entered it, taking note of the messiness of the area. Shaking my head I made my way to the tub and began pumping water into it from the hand pump that was positioned above. I had found the clothes folded neatly on my bed. An off white colored shirt that was obviously a little worn, but still serviceable, a pair of black trousers and a dark green vest seemed like an evening gown. Somehow though, Kloppman had managed to find a camisole. It appealed to my femininity in a way the other clothes could never compete with. It too was warn, the cream embroidery had been picked out of it, but the lace was still intact. A matching set of pantaloons that would fit nicely beneath my trousers made me practically swoon with joy. I didn't mind wearing men's clothes, but sometimes I ached for something pretty. I set my treasures on a stool I had dragged into from the other room. There was no way I was going to put my new clothes down on that dirty slab of wood the boys called a counter. I contemplated the water for a moment knowing that it hadn't been heated and I didn't have the time to heat any on the stove downstairs. Nor was I feeling that industrious anyway. Okay, Okay I'll admit it I was being lazy.
"It can't be that bad." I murmured as I stripped off my clothes and stood for a moment looking down at it. Taking a deep breath I stepped inside and the air froze in my lungs.
"Good God!" I cried, when I could finally get air back into my lungs, I immediately started shivering. Quickly I grabbed the bar of softly scented soap I had bought earlier in the day and began scrubbing with a vigor hoping to get the blood flowing through my veins again. No wonder the boys looked so grubby half the time, I was glad I had had a father that liked to do outdoor activities. I had been on many long backpacking trips and knew how to rough it. I had to admit it had to have been the quickest bath I have ever taken though. No lounging around the tub with a glass of wine for me. Not that I could have lounged in a tub that I had to sit on my knees to get into. Finally I took the coarse fabric of the meal sacks the boys used for towels and rubbed myself dry, still not sure if it was worth it. I took the bit of fabric I had rescued from going into the rag bin and wrapped it around myself to offer what support it could, what I wouldn't have given for a bra. A corset just wasn't practical in the life I was living, I needed to be able to bend and move.
I longingly thought of feminine clothes as I pulled on my pretty camisole and pantaloons wishing I had a dress to go with. What can I say? I'm not a girly girl, but I do like to look like a woman every now and then. I heard thundering on the stairs and Kloppman yelling as I finished buttoning up my shirt. Hurriedly, I tightened the leather belt that had been added to my new wardrobe just as the door flew open and six guys peered in with wide expecting eyes. Their faces dimmed as they saw I was fully dressed.
"Ya bums!" I heard Kloppman yelling, as he entered the bunkroom as swiftly as his arthritic limbs would allow.
"You were too late." I chuckled, as I pushed past Jack and another newsie that I remembered being called Skittery. They groaned and dispersed; some going into the washroom, others turning for their bunks.
"Did ya see anythin?" Mush cried as he stumbled into the room, an irritated Crutchy had tripped him slowing his progress as best he could. I gave him a grin in thanks.
"Na, she was dressed already." Blink called from the other side of the room.
"What an ego booster, I feel like Marilyn Monroe." I said shaking my head.
"Who's Marilyn Monroe?" Mimic asked as he pushed his way to me. I smiled and ruffled his hair before replying.
"Never mind." I sighed, "You'll know about her if you're lucky when you're in your sixties."
"Why do I have to wait so long?" he questioned, as I took Crutchy's comb from it's spot and began working the tangles out of my hair. It was long, past my waist and tangled at the thought of water so trying to get the comb through it was proving to be an irritating endeavor.
"Just trust me." I told him trying not to cuss at a large knot that I was working on. My hair was still wet and was soaking my vest. "Damn it where's the scissors?"
"Ya ain't gonna cut it are you?" Mimic asked his eyes giving me a sad look. "It's pretty."
"Okay squirt for you, I'll keep it." I told him. I wouldn't have cut it anyway, it was an idle threat that anyone who knew me would have recognized. I had been threatening to cut my hair for the three years it had taken me to grow it out. It just made me feel like I had some control over it, I suppose. I had always related to Amy's comment in Little Women though, when she had called Jo's hair her one true beauty. I had been blessed with thick black hair that waved if I didn't brush it right away. I watched Mimic meander off, and laid back against Crutchy's bed. It was nice to have a moments quiet, well maybe not quiet, more like a moment to relax. Fifteen noisy teenage boys trying to get ready for a night on the town is never quiet.
"Mimic stop it." an irritated voice broke me from my thoughts.
"Mimic stop it." I heard my little friend say in return. I rolled my eyes; well at least I knew where he had gotten his name. Kids, they loved to annoy those they liked the most, I wondered if I should let Race know that little secret.
"Mimic." I saw Race come around the corner, "If ya don't cut it out I'm gonna soak ya."
"Mimic." My little charge replied in perfect cadence and tone, "If ya don't cut it out I'm gonna soak ya."
"Mimic." I called as Race turned on him. Mimic grinned at Race and dodged past him to stand in front of me. So much for a moment of relaxation. "Stop."
"Mimic." He started. I clapped my hand over his mouth and gave him that look that all women know how to give, that warned him exactly how dire a punishment he was going to get if he finished his sentence. It is commonly referred to as the "Mom" look, but older girls learn it as soon as they have little kids to boss around. He shut up and Race gave me a thankful look. I choked as Mush walked past me reeking of cheep cologne.
"Mush you're not supposed to bathe in the stuff." I gagged.
"Ya think it's too much?" He asked worriedly. " I don't want the girls to avoid me."
"Honey with that stuff, they'll run before they see you." I replied with watering eyes. He shrugged and headed back into the washroom to wash some of it off I hoped.
"Ya ready?" Jack asked me as he finished buttoning up his shirt and wrapped his red bandanna around his neck. I stood giving Mimic a hug as I nodded.
"Do ya have to go?" Mimic asked "Can I come?"
"Yes and no." I chuckled as I stood.
"Please don't go." He looked at me with fearful eyes. " What if the nightmare comes?"
"Then you'll go get Kloppman." I replied, worried that maybe this kid might get too dependent on me. I wasn't going to be around forever, just until I could figure out how to go home….Right? What was wrong with me? Was I loosing myself in this time? Was I forgetting where I came from? "I'll be home later, you can sleep in my room if it makes you feel better."
He nodded and watched me walk away, his face looking as if his dog had just died. I felt my heart squeezing and was just about to turn back when Jack grabbed my arm.
"He'll be fine." Jack told me as he steered me out the door and down the steps. "Spot wanted ya to come tonight and I ain't gonna have ya turnin the boys into mama's boys. They needs some comfortin, but they gotta stand on their own feet too."
I nodded, and waved at Mimic who had gone to the window to watch us leave. It will be good for him, I thought, I couldn't let him get too close; I needed to wean him off onto someone else. I turned my attention to putting one foot in front of the other and followed Jack. Mush and Blink eventually caught up, both excited; thankfully Mush had toned down the cologne.
"Brooklyn's bashes are the best." I heard Mush tell me, as my mind flew a million miles away as I thought about the future. My hand rested on my necklace and I distantly heard a familiar ringing noise, my heart leapt.
"Cameo, what's wrong with ya?" Blink asked, as I felt a warm light on my face. They seemed to be fading and I quickly dropped my hand. The ringing faded, the light disappeared and Blink and Mush were looking at me with fear in their eyes. Damn it why had I dropped my hand?
"Cameo?" Mush questioned cautiously. "What was that?"
"Nothing," I mumbled and pushed ahead of them. I was confused, I knew what had been about to happen and I had stopped it. Why? I had just been thinking about how I needed to go home. I didn't belong here. Did I? Was the gypsy lady right? Was I meant for this time? No, no I cannot let myself do this. I need to go home. For what? A little voice in my head asked. To a father that stopped loving you five years ago? To a stepmother that hates you? To a family you don't belong in? To a home you feel like a stranger in? The only person you were ever close to is dead Briar, gone, has been for the past five years. I felt the tears gathering in my eyes and stopped my head dropping into my hands.
"Are you okay?" I head Blink ask, the fear gone from his voice, only worry and concern were present. I looked up to see a look similar to his voice on his face. Blink was right behind him
"I'm fine." I said softly raising my head and blinking back the tears, "I'm fine, I don't know what happened."
Mush looked at me I knew there was fear in my eyes as I realized I really didn't want to go home. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and gave me a hug I didn't know I needed. I let him hold me for a moment then broke free, shaking my head and letting my thoughts clear a little.
"Come on boys, we have a party to attend and Spot Conlon to annoy." I said giving them a wan smile. "Dog boy's going to wish he never gave me that personal invitation."
"Dog boy?" Blink laughed "Oh that's great, bet ya she never actually says that to his face."
"Are you challenging me?" I raised an eyebrow and grinned evilly. "You think I won't?"
"Blink did ya have to open ya mouth?" Mush cried, as he followed me inside the Brooklyn Lodging House. It was full of people, reminding me sharply of a fraternity house in the midst of a party. Things sure didn't change, everyone had a cup of something in their hand, cigarettes made the air swirl in odd patterns, and a few couples wondered around. I knew though, looking at a few of the girls these weren't cheerleaders. They had a look in their eyes that was hard and I chuckled to myself as I tried to picture them with pom-poms and pony tails.
"Well, well, if it ain't the great Cameo herself." I heard him say, I turned slowly, casually, and leaned against the wall. I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow in a look that used to drive my mother crazy. She often threatened to shave my eyebrow off to keep me from looking at her like that. It was a cocky, arrogant look, that I had coined from my father and she hadn't liked it on him anymore than she did on me. I felt my look slipping as I thought of my mother, my rock, my guiding star, the greatest person I had ever known. She was lost to me now, I had to move on and the day I lost her I had lost my father. It was how it had happened, how it was meant to be, nothing I could do about it.
Spot sat in a throne like chair, a few feet between it and the wall. Everything beyond the chair was in shadow. My eyes locked with his and I felt my face become a mask, hiding the fact I usually felt like a boat being tossed about in a storm. I was good at masks, they were my salvation, my only way of keeping people at bay. Well my smart- assed comments usually did the trick as well, but the hardest part was that there was still a part of me that wanted out. Wanted acceptance, wanted love, wanted someone who would miss me if I were gone. I shook my head; I could see the understanding in his eyes.
"Hello Rover, how are you doing?" I asked, my face still frozen in the look my mother hated. I let my eyes wander lazily up him, his strong legs encased in faded black trousers, his red suspenders that I was sure at one time had been bright, his dingy white shirt rolled up to his strong biceps, his sexy sullen smirk. I found it hard to believe that Mush had told me he had been scrawny only a year ago. He wasn't rippling like Mush, but he wasn't what I would call scrawny. Lean and strong, more tone than bulk. There were murmurs through the crowd as everyone waited to see what Spot would do.
"I don't think I heard ya right, didya just call me Rover?" Spot's face was flushed, and his eyes were flashing dangerously. Mush stepped behind me and put a staying hand on my shoulder that I ignored.
"I think I did," I replied, my own eyes answering his challenge.
"Ya lucky you're a girl." He hissed as he stood, I had to look up at him.
"So this is the girl that's been givin ya trouble," I heard a female voice say. I watched as she stepped from the shadows moving like a predator stalking it's prey. I fought the urge to take an involuntary step back. Her hair was a honey color, medium brown at the base with soft golden highlights from the sun. Her eyes were a green as they flashed they seemed to be blue. She was dressed as I was, not in womanly clothing, as a man. She was seizing me up, I could see it as she circled me, I did not move. I stood my ground and watched her; my look a warning in itself.
" I don't believe I've had the pleasure." I said stiffly, my body tensed as I waited for the attack I sensed might be coming. She smiled a slow grin that didn't quite make it to her eyes.
"Glimmer," She replied, "the names Glimmer."
"Cameo." I responded. Neither of us offered a hand, just stared each other down each letting the other know she wouldn't be dominated.
"Ya have a mouth on ya Cameo." She told me looking at her raggedy nails as she said it. " Can ya back it?"
"Would you like to see?" I asked, raising my eyebrow further. She gave me that cold smile again, but I saw a glimmer of respect in her eyes.
"Maybe later we'll see what ya got." Glimmer's voice held a little more warmth than it had previously.
"Ya ain't gonna soak her?" she turned on one of the other newsies I didn't know, and he took a step back. "Spot's ya brother."
"Not that ya deserve an answer," She responded, her eyes meeting Spot’s. "She ain't fallin in ya lap, I like her already."
She gave me a lazy grin and disappeared into the crowd. I gave Spot a triumphant grin and decided to allow Mush to pull me away.
Title: Through the Hourglass
Author: Raeghann
Chapter Seven: A Woman’s Greatest Weapon
"What did we tell ya about keeping ya trap shut?" Blink cried in irritation, as Mush pulled me into the crowd and away from Spot's ever burning gaze. I could feel his eyes on my back even as I was being lead away. I knew he'd find me later, I had won the first round thanks to Glimmer, but I was sure there would be more to come. I took the glass Mush shoved in my hands and peered into it, old habits dying hard. Date rape drugs haven’t been invented yet, I reminded myself. I doubted the boys would even think about it if there were. At least the Manhattan boys, the Brooklyn ones eyed me and I stared boldly back, but I didn't like the gleam in their eyes. I figured though even then they would just wait for the girl to get hammered. The girls didn't look like they would object to being carted off into another room at least those that weren't newsies. There were a few other girls dressed as I was, a handful of us in all. I learned the only other boroughs that had girls were the Queens and Harlem. Mush let me wander off, Blink keeping a close watch until a seamstress he had a previous acquaintance with pulled him off.
Alone, I moved through the crowd sipping my ale, which tasted worse than the cheap beer we had drank in high school. I tried not to grimace as I took another sip, watching those around me intently. I seemed to be alone, I was surrounded by people, but my own little island. I felt like an outsider looking in, I had never really gone to parties in high school, because invariably I got this feeling. That and I usually ended up having to hold my best friends head over the toilet while she puked. I got sick of being the responsible one. At least at the Renaissance Festival I had been around people who spoke my language. We were all misunderstood misfits and we all understood what it was like to be different. I heard the cry go up as a fight began. I rolled my eyes as the crowd streamed in the direction.
No, things really didn't change that much I thought, as I let the crowd move me along with it. Somehow I ended up pretty close, close enough to see that it was an older boy beating on a younger one. I looked around, Spot was nowhere to be seen, Jack off with that twit that looked like Little Beau Peep and tittered like a deranged debutant. She was a girly girl to the core, and I had no patience for it. Mush and Blink were heaven only knew where, doing heaven only knew what. I didn't even know if they would do something if they were there. Looking around at all the faces I knew I would get no help from the crowd, I didn't even see a Manhattan Newsie I knew.
Looking back at the fight, I could see the younger boy buckling and sighed, knowing it would be up to me to stop it. Call me a sucker, but I wasn't about to let this over grown ape take his aggression out on a kid that looked like he was scared of his own shadow. My _expression hardened for a moment and I saw Blink across the crowd, his arm around the seamstress. He dropped his arm as he saw the boy. His eyes met mine and he shook his head seeing in my face what I meant to do. I gave him my best devilish grin and took a deep breath schooling my features into what I hoped was a coy look.
"Masks don't fail me now." I muttered as I raised my head and entered the ring that had been formed by the other newsies eager to see the fight.
"A woman's best weapon is her body." I heard my mother's voice in my head "Use it for all it's worth."
"Hey big boy," I said lowering my voice a few octaves. Batting my eyelashes in a way that I hoped didn't make me look like an idiot. The older boy looked at me, his face holding that blank look of someone who had been pulled away from something that took concentration. What kind of an idiot needed to concentrate on beating a helpless kid to a bloody pulp? "I saw you fighting and well, you just took my breath away."
It was so hard to get those words out; I had to force myself to lay a hand on his arm in a suggestive manner. He looked at me for a moment, then he did exactly what I expected him to do. He dropped the kid, who gave me a thankful look through the one eye that wasn't swollen shut. Offer them sex and they'll forget a fight almost every time.
"Yeah sweet cheeks." He said huskily, as he turned his sweaty unwashed body toward me. "I'se do that a lot to the girls."
I wanted to gag, I half expected him to kiss his own biceps in self- appreciation. I smiled shamelessly, flirting. I forced myself to run my hand up his chest into his hair and pull his head down to mine. He kissed like a dog, all tongue and slobber. Not that I've kissed a dog, but I have pretty good imagination. I fought down the bile that rose to the back of my throat, as I tasted stale cigars and sour ale. I heard the catcalls and the whistles, but I forced myself to concentrate only on what I was about to do. My knee gently rubbed against his inner thigh and just as I expected he parted his legs for what he thought he was going to get. Instead I jammed my knee as hard as I could into his groin. As he was gasping for air and groaning I fisted the hand that was in his hair and slammed it into my knee with a satisfying crunch. He flew back and hit the ground as I shoved him off balance and I gave him a swift kick in the stomach for good measure.
I felt the anger I usually kept a tight reign on flooding through me making the adrenaline rush. My blood pumped through my body at an intoxicating speed. I rolled him over and straddled his chest. Not the best move looking back on it. I should have just kept kicking him, but I choose the hard way just as I have always done. As my fist collided with his face I felt my blood singing in my veins. I felt the iron control I had worked so hard to keep over the years snap, and I lost myself in my rage. I saw every person who had ever hurt me, and allowed all my anger to be funneled into the boy who lay beneath me. He took a few pretty good hits before he could even think to react. I was stupid though and allowed myself to become so blinded by my rage I didn't see him move his head until it was too late.
My fist slammed into the hard wood floor with enough force to break the skin across all my knuckles and cause pain to explode into my hand. A part of me registered an ache that wound it's way up my arm to my shoulder. With a growl he threw me off of him, I flew back, my head connecting painfully with the floor. I saw stars, I could hear him coming, but I couldn't clear my head enough to see the kick that that made me fly back again and knocked the breath from my body. I wanted to writhe in agony, my eyes watered with tears of pain as my lungs worked to get air back in. I managed to roll as he aimed another kick toward my stomach. Shakily, I struggled to my feet, noticing the silence of the room. It must have been at least a few minutes since my initial attack, but the faces I saw as I stumbled to my feet looked stunned. I ducked as his fist flew toward my face, but I wasn't quick enough and felt it graze off my cheek. From the ache that was a mere sting right now I knew it would bruise.
He moved in and I felt arms slide through mine from behind. I panicked, expecting as any right-minded person would, that I was being held so the jerk could keep pounding on me. I reacted before he could reach me by pushing myself back against the rock hard chest of my captor and kicking my leg up high enough to catch him in the jaw. His teeth snapped together with audible force and I hoped his tongue had been in between his teeth. My captor was pulling me away from the fight and turning me to keep me from being hurt, but I had thrown him far enough off balance we fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs. The crowd had begun to murmur angrily before my kick, and I hoped it wasn't directed at me. I vaguely registered a cry of rage as I saw a heavy shot glass hit the bully square between the eyes. I saw a blur run past me and land a stunning blow before tackling my assailant to the ground. I caught sight of red suspenders and dark blonde hair as I disentangled myself from the person who had pulled me from the fray. Mush glared at me with an anger I had never seen in his soft brown eyes.
"You are mad," He hissed, as Glimmer helped me to my feet. He ignored the hand I offered to him to help him up.
"Ya didn't have to prove yaself like that." Glimmer said with reluctant approval. I had a feeling her hands would be clapping out a rhythm of congratulations if she hadn't been so busy checking me over for broken limbs. " Ya did good Kid."
"Kid?" I asked wryly, as I did a double take on the man who had come to my rescue. "I'm older than you."
"Yeah, but I've got seniority." She replied grinning at me, I looked in awe at my protector, shocked to find it was Spot. My pride was pricked knowing that now I owed him. Don't get me wrong, I knew I was way over my head and I had needed some help, but why of all people did it have to be Spot? He was wailing on the kid though, and I knew now why Spot’s name could make all the newsies nervous.
"You lay a hand on her again and I'll kill ya," I heard Spot promise in a voice that gave even me a shiver. Spot waited a moment for the words to sink in.
"This was nothing." He continued giving the kid a feral grin. "Get him outta here."
"My pleasure." Jack said stepping from the crowd, Blink at his side.
I didn't watch them go, my attention was already on the kid who had been the cause of all the commotion. He looked all of nine or ten and I felt the anger boiling in me again as I looked him over. He was bruised, and bloody, but it looked like I had intervened before he was really hurt. We passed a red-head who glared at me. I glanced her over, her shirt was buttoned crookedly, her hair was mused, and the rouge on her lips was smeared. From the way she looked at Spot then at me it didn't take any stretch of the imagination what she had gotten called away from. I felt the green monster that calls itself jealousy rear it's ugly head. I swatted the feeling back down and ignored her trying to focus everything I had into the kid.
"Are you okay?" I whispered, as Glimmer helped me pick him up. He nodded, trying to look brave and not as if his body had just been used for a punching bag. The newsies cleared out of our way and I could hear the mummers beginning as they all began discussing what had just happened. Shame filled me, I hadn't allowed my anger to get that out of control in years. Sure the punk deserved it, but I didn't like loosing control. I didn't like what happened.
"Ya did what ya had to do," Glimmer said over the boy's head as we helped him up onto a long wooden table surrounded by chairs. I looked at her startled, and she looked back in understanding. What was with me? Ever since I had come here my masks were slipping. I had always been able to keep my thoughts from anyone at anytime. I seemed to be an open book to people I didn't know if I could trust. Trying to ignore my thoughts, I pushed one of the chairs out of the way so I could stand in front of the boy. I took the bowl of warm water from a newsie I recognized, but didn't remember a name for, and set it on the table next to my patient. I dipped a rag into water and gently dabbed at the cut at the corner of the boy' mouth. Glimmer and I said nothing more as we cleaned him up. Glimmer and the other newsie took him upstairs to a bunk room above. He had been a Midtown Newsie, but as far as Glimmer was concerned he was hers now.
"If they can't take care of him then he's ours now." She had said as she had disappeared up the stairs just to my right. I sighed in relief, I was really getting sick of the hero worship look. Racetrack watched me from a safe distance away, his look not any lighter than Mush's had been when he had pulled me from the fight. I had heard Jack tell him to keep an eye on me until they were done with the Neanderthal I had foolishly attacked.
"The kid’s gonna sleep now." Glimmer told me as she returned with a fresh bowl of water and a bottle of something that smelled alcoholic. "Now ya need to take care of yaself." I looked at my bleeding bruised knuckles and hissed as the pain really hit. Why is it that something never hurts until you look at it? Blink rounded the corner, Mush hot on his heels, Jack not far behind, all of them with looks of utter fury.
"Out of the pan, inta the fire." I heard Glimmer mummer as she caught sight of them. I gave her a wan look and sat waiting, knowing I was going to get yelled at. I tried to ignore them by tending to my fist. I had bruises all over my body, my head ached dreadfully, and my ribs were protesting to every breath I took. I figured I had been given enough of a lesson. They waited for a moment, expecting me to acknowledge them. I continued on as if they weren't in the room, hoping they'd go away. No such luck.
"What the hell did ya think ya was doin?" Mush cried, he surprised me at the venom I heard in his voice. Mush was sweet, naïve and even tempered, but he looked ready to explode.
"Kicking butt." I replied nonchalantly, as I crossed a leg over the other and gave them a look that told them I didn't really care what they thought.
"Ya coulda gotten yaself killed." Blink snapped "Ox isn't known for goin’ easy on anyone."
"Ox. That sounds about right," Was my response, as I looked up at Glimmer who nodded and grinned, her eyes glittering with a mischievous look. I had found an ally for the moment at least.
"This isn't a joke Cameo." Jack growled, " Ya coulda gotten yaself really hurt, ya lucky Spot bailed ya out."
"You think I didn't know going into that fight that it was loosing battle?" I asked, my anger still too close to the surface for me to care that it probably would be best for me not to open my mouth at that moment. "You think I didn't know that I wasn't going to get my ass kicked? I may not act like most females you know, I may act a little too manly for your tastes sometimes, but I know that men are stronger than women. I know that unless the "mama grizzly" effect comes into play that men have predisposition to violence that women don't generally have. I know that physically, I was no match for that guy, but what was I supposed to do, let him kill that kid?"
"Let a man handle it." Blink told me bluntly, I stiffened even though I knew I should have done what he had said. I just hadn't been sure any of them would have handled it. I hadn't been born into a time of femi-nazi's without some of it rubbing off on me. My father had raised me to know a woman's limitations. Not that he was a chauvinistic pig, it's just that when it comes to a fistfight, men generally have upper arm strength and a blood thirst that we women don't. Unless you're talking about a woman's children, then the "mama grizzly" effect comes in. Mother Grizzly bears are more dangerous than the males if they feel their offspring are being threatened. If a woman's family is being threatened then beware, they would die if they thought it would give their loved ones a chance. The stakes change when someone is ready to die in a fight. A woman's greatest weapon is her body, my mother had often told me, her second greatest was her mind. Testosterone can make a man forget all rationality.
"Yeah, you looked like you were really going to handle it Blink." I retorted. He seemed to puff up more in anger. "I may not be as strong as any of you, but obviously I must be smarter, because only an idiot would have missed the fact that that kid was going to die if something wasn't done."
"Women are always smarter." Glimmer chuckled, as she took over cleaning my hand. "Men may have the brawn, but we got the brains." I gasped in pain as she poured some of what I now knew to be whisky on my hand. There is nothing that burns more on an open wound than alcohol.
"Get a skirt." Jack snapped. Glimmer glared and raised her fists challengingly.
"I soaked ya when we was kids and I'll do it again Jack," she said, the caution in her voice would have taken a fool to mistake. He didn't look too impressed.
"Ya think ya could do it now?" He challenged, not willing to be cowed at a threat he had obviously often heard since the incident in question. "An you haven't grown all that much. I could hold ya down with one hand." Glimmer glared at him, but I could see she was weighing her options. She was a petite girl and if he wanted to, I had no doubt Jack could do as he said. Finally she settled for shooting him poisonous looks and cleaning my hand.
"Ya would be in for a fight." She muttered.
"I bet I would." Jack told her seriously, he meant it, he knew she would place some well aimed blows that would hurt. They were both willing to call a momentary truce though, as neither of them looked ready to fight.
"Ox would have wiped the floor with ya." He continued turning on me.
"But did he?" I asked, "What's the matter Jack, am I challenging your masculinity because I took care of it myself instead of running to you like a frightened child? You weren't there, I took care of it. I'm not a child Jack, I'm a big girl who can obviously take care of myself."
"Amen to that." Glimmer replied, slapping me on the back. "We ain't Sarah, we ain't gonna sit in the corner and scream when someone comes along that might hurt us."
"Don't look to me like you was takin care of yaself so well." Mush said. "If ya had been, we wouldn't have had to step in."
"Ya acted like a hussy." I hadn't noticed Spot until he spoke, breaking into the conversation like he owned it. He was leaning against the wall, watching us with an unreadable _expression. His eyes glittered in anger, I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. His words stung, I had never been called such a name seriously before. I raised my chin in defiance. I felt Glimmer stiffen as her brother pushed himself from the wall and joined the group of angry boys that were still glaring daggers at me.
"You're one to talk." I snapped "I seem to remember a floozy hot on your heels and there wasn't doubt to anyone as to what you'd been doing."
"Who ya callin a floozy?" I almost laughed at the girl, her shirt was still buttoned crooked, her make-up not in any better repair, her shoulder peeking through the collar of her shirt. Her face was set in an angry scowl and I knew I would have no choice other than to put her in her place or there would be another fight. I was pretty sure my knuckles were out of service, so I 'd have to rely on intimidation.
"Ah the lost puppy." I sighed dramatically; I couldn't stop myself from getting a little dig in before I put her in her place. "What, didn't get enough of old Spotty-boy the first time? I'm not surprised..."
I trailed off and looked him up and down giving her a significant look. Spot's face looked like a storm ready to break as he caught my meaning. I wanted to smack myself in the forehead at my stupidity. Once I got started though, often I attacked anyone who opened their mouth in argument to me. There are a few things you can do when faced with an angry male and insulting his manhood usually isn't the best bet. Glimmer put a hand on my shoulder in warning, letting me know without words that there was only so far I could insult her brother before she would feel obligated to step in.
"I otta.." the girl trailed off as I stood swiftly and looked at her warningly. I knew I moved much like Glimmer had earlier, predator to prey. I felt the look come over my face that I had worked so hard to keep down. I had a temper, one that I was not proud of. I had done things in the past I was not proud of because of that temper.
"You want me to shut you up, I will." I advised, she shivered and took a step back, hiding behind Spot as if he would protect her, which by looking at his face I knew he didn't care enough to.
"It's vulgar for a woman to be fighting." A new voice chimed in. I hadn't seen Bo Peep enter, Glimmer snorted in disgust as I sighed in irritation. Bo Peep looked at me disdainfully, her eyes turned up at Jack as if she expected him to congratulate her. She couldn't see Jacks irritated look at her words, but I could.
"Shut up." I rounded on her. " Women are not meant to be some parrot to recite stupid propaganda set out by the male race to keep us under control. You have a brain, use it."
I could see it was useless trying to teach her what a real woman was, so I settled for mocking her.
"A lady ought never raise her voice above the gentle hum of a whispering wind." I said in a falsely sweet tone batting my eyes comically. Jack rolled his eyes, having a hard time keeping up his glare. I knew I was breaking through the ice that seemed to have covered all of these boys. Mush snickered and Blink turned away so I wouldn't see his smile. She just looked at Jack expecting him to put me in my place, she seemed to get flustered when Jack didn't. The only one who was not amused was Spot, who's face held a frighteningly emotionless look. He watched me for a moment longer, then turned on his heel and walked away, the red-head flounced off after him. Shooting me a triumphant look as she went, I watched her catch up to him. She put a hand on his shoulder that he shrugged off. I felt a moment's elation that I quickly beat down. What was wrong with me? I couldn't even begin to like the arrogant Brooklyn leader. I refused to let myself, I knew what kind of guy he was. Handsome and devastatingly charming when he chose to be, I had no doubt. I hadn't seen the charming side yet, but I was sure it was there. He was a lady’s man, a cad, a man who enjoyed seducing women for the shear challenge of it. I wasn't about to let myself be schmoozed.
"You are going home." Blink said, grabbing my arm. I was tired, too tired to object, as he dragged me toward the front door of the Lodging House.
"See ya around Cameo." I heard Glimmer call, I looked back and waved at her, I knew I had at least made a friend in her tonight. I may have caused World War III to do it, well actually I guess it would be World War I since the first two hadn't happened yet. David was arriving as we were leaving and Jack thrust Bo Peep, into his arms.
"Take Sarah home Davy." Jack told him, "I've got business to attend to." David looked at Blink and Mush who had attached himself to my other side and nodded.
"That's not fair." Sarah cried, "She almost gets herself killed and it ruins our night."
"Look sorry," Jack said spreading his hands in the universal gesture of helplessness. I knew he was looking for a way to get rid of her. I could tell from David's look that he knew too. He wasn't very happy about it, but he understood. "I gotta deal with this."
Sarah pouted and I smiled sweetly at her, wondering how she had ever caught Jack’s attention. She didn't seem like the type of girl he needed at all. She glared at me, her _expression a mixture of irritation and disgust. I didn't get to antagonize her more because I was roughly pulled out the door of the Brooklyn Lodging House. We were silent the first couple of blocks until finally I could take it no longer.
"So why are you with the milk-sop?" I asked expecting to get a retort.
"Because I didn't know she was a milk-sop." Jack replied tiredly. "During the strike I saw a fire in her that burned out too quickly, ya know?",I nodded and let the matter drop, I'd give Sarah maybe another week. Blink pulled me up as I stumbled and I yelped in pain.
"Careful." I snapped, "I'm a patchwork quilt of bruises."
"Ya fault, not mine." Blink muttered, but he loosened his grip.
"Look," I growled stopping and effectively attracting their undivided attention. "I'm sorry, I never meant for you to get involved. I thought he would stop after the groin shot and the knee in the face. I thought I would stop there, but I couldn't let him keep hurting that boy."
"Ya heart is too soft," Mush said giving me the first smile since we had left the Brooklyn Lodging House.
"Well if I'm too soft, then you have a lump of ice for a heart." I sighed.
"Someone would've stopped it." Jack told me and I shook my head knowing in my heart someone would have made an attempt when it was too late and then berated themselves for not acting sooner. Most of the boys in Manhattan had soft hearts they had learned to hide behind tough exteriors. Soft hearted meant they were weak, weak meant an easy target.
"You were brave." Mush said for my ears only, as we climbed the steps of our Lodging House. I smiled at him gratefully, trying not to wince in pain as we climbed up the stairs.
"How was the shin dig?" Crutchy asked from where he sat reading by the light of a small kerosene lamp.
"Don't ask." Jack sighed.
"Where did ya get the bruise?" Crutch's voice was alarmed as he caught sight of my face.
"She jumped into a fight Ox was having with a younger kid." Jack said giving Crutchy a pained look. "Spot broke it up."
"More like pummeled the poor kid's face in." Blink added "I ain't never seen him that mad and I've seen him get into some pretty good fights." I tried not to look too deeply into that comment as Crutchy just frowned thoughtfully.
"Crutchy, I need to go to sleep." I sighed smiling at him and waving as I headed for bed, too tired to talk, too tired to even think.
"'Night Cameo." He called giving me an understanding look "We'll talk tomorrow."
"I promise." I said as I opened my door.
Mimic lay curled up in my bed, the shirt I had worn earlier tightly clutched in his small hands. I smiled; I took my shoes off and lay down next to him, too tired to undress. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.