Bound To Rain

Wanna sell today?

I was sleeping fitfully until I heard the Morning Bell chime. I quickly brushed out my long hair and braided it. Then secured it in the dark purple ribbon. Upon hopping down from the top bunk, I noticed that Elmer was curled up and hugging the teddy bear, while Honeybelle was splayed over his neck and face. It was adorable. The bell chimed again and I nudged him. He made the noise that people who are waking up make. (You know the noise.)

"Did I crush 'er?" Elmer asked voice gravelly. His eyes were still closed.

"If she was big enough, she'd crush you." 

"Did da Mornin' Bell ring?"  He asked.

"Yeah." I scooped Honeybelle off of him so he could get up. He tiredly swung his legs down and walked over to the wardrobe. Al he really had to do is attach his suspenders, put on shoes, and put on his cap. Then he tossed me one of the white side bags.

"You's wanna sell today?" Elmer offered. I felt a smile spread across my face.

"Definitely." I caught the bag in the hand that Honeybelle wasn't in. "Is Honeybelle gonna come with us?"

She let out a little maiow! of approval.

"I guess she is." He giggled. By now, she had clawed her way up onto my shoulder.

"Dibs." I raised my hand lightly.

"You's wins this time." He declared playfully. "But- ah, you's should put 'er in your bag."

Elmer motioned to the bag that was now slung over my shoulder. I nodded and placed Honeybelle into it.

"Does ya think Jack's gonna let's us keep her?" I asked hopefully.

"Pfft. Nah, he ain't da boss of me." The black haired boy puffed out his chest cockily. His hair was still sticking straight up from sleep. He seemed to realize, and went to the wardrobe and picked up his comb. It took him just a moment for him to fix it up. While he did that, I went to my bag for the leftover money from Harriet. $8.20. Elmer caught a glance at the dollars.

"How'd ya get yer hands on that?" He gasped, astonished.

"Harriet left it." I informed him sadly.

"Oh." He shot a grin at me, an effort to make me smile. It worked. "Ay, let's head down."

I nodded and followed him out.
"Mornin', Bailey!" I heard Crutchie shout. Jack came over and threw a warm arm over my shoulder.
"How'd ya sleep?" He asked. I glanced over at Elmer. He was mouthing something.
Ya slept fine!
"I slept fine." I told Jack, earning a smile from Elmer.
"That's great!" Jack took his arm back and headed down.
"Ay, you's sellin' with us?" I heard Race call from downstairs.
"Yeah!" I called back down.
"You's sellin'?" Crutchie asked.
"Uhuh." I looked at his blue eyes. He has his hat backwards.
"Who's ya sellin' with?" He questioned, adjusting his crutch.
"Me." Elmer piped in. I grinned.
"Elmer." I told Crutchie pointedly, a smile spread across my face. I felt Honeybelle start to squirm. "Let's ah, let's head out to see the headline."
"Good idea." Elmer caught on, gently grabbed my wrist, and led me down stairs and out the door. He let go of my wrist.
"Might be hungry." Elmer commented, peeking into my bag.
"Ay, here comes da headline!" I heard Finch say. Someone was up there and writing something in chalk.

Train Crash Near City

"How's that botha us?" Albert shouted to the man.

"C'mon, Albert!" Race shoved him lightly. "Just make somethin' up!"

"Whateva." The ginger shoved the blond back.

"Train collision kills thousands!" Race spread his arms in the air, cigar in one hand.