Birds of a Feather

Tilly

Tilly sat on the floor beside Jack, playing with a lost top he'd found under the bed. They'd only been at it for about fifteen minutes when Abigail swept in, looking agitated.

Tilly knew that meant she'd just got done talking to John. No one but that man got her so riled up that quickly. As if she wanted to offset her anger, Abigail began straightening up the room, making the bed, picking up books from the floor and using a rag to furiously wipe at the dirtied window.

When she tired of that, she turned to Tilly and asked, "You talk to Molly today?"

Tilly frowned. "No. Why?"

"Just between you and me, I think Molly's gone."

"Gone, how?" Tilly's brows rose in surprise. "You mean she's left us for good?"

Abigail nodded. "It's the only thing that makes sense in my mind. She was packin' up and it weren't only for a job. I gotta feeling she ain't coming back."

Maybe it was wrong of her to feel this way, but Tilly was glad Molly left. That woman had been trouble since joining up with them and it had only escalated in the last few months. Tilly couldn't believe the nerve of her shouting at Dutch day in and day out. It was so disrespectful after everything he'd done for her.

Not to mention, she'd completely lost it since Kieran's death. They were all upset about him and Sean, but Molly made it about herself, sitting in a corner or ranting out at the swamp as if it could hear her problems and solve them too.

No, Molly gone would be a good thing for all of them. Tilly couldn't see Dutch's pride liking it too much, but maybe his recent disinterest with her would override his anger.

The door opened and John walked in. Jack stood up and raced to his dad.

"Pa!"

John's anxious expression softened as he returned a hug and ruffled the boy's hair. "Hey, Jack."

Abigail went up to him. "So? What'd you find out?"

"You were right." John shook his head a little. "There is a woman Arthur brought."

"I knew it."

"But she ain't nothing," John continued as Jack released him and rejoined Tilly on the floor. "That is, she ain't gonna cause problems. She was sick and Arthur got worried and brought her here."

"Well, who is she?"

"Arthur says she's a friend."

"A friend?" Abigail frowned. "Since when does Arthur got friends outside the gang?"

John threw up his hands. "That's what I said."

"This one's mighty pretty for a friend," Tilly commented mildly.

Abigail swung to face her. "You knew about this?"

Hearing the fierceness of her tone, Tilly regretted saying anything. "Yeah..."

"Why didn't you say nothing?"

Tilly shifted uncomfortably. "I didn't know you didn't know."

John scowled. "You didn't even need me."

Abigail faced him now. "Yes, I did."

"You coulda just asked Tilly the whole time."

"That ain't true."

"How the hell is it not?"

Abigail cast Tilly a brief glance, but didn't meet her eye. "I don't know."