Chpt. 16

I'd seen this girl just last night, but she hadn't been takling to Print; she'd been half clothed bent over a table back home and underneith Fiction's just as naked body.

If she'd recognized me, Anna May didn't give any sign, she smiled coyly at me and held out one pale hand for me to shake.

"What's your name? Is it as colorful as my darling Print's? Or his little friend, Spit?"

"Naw, my name's Vel..."

"Dis is Velvet, she's onna our only goils 'round here." Print broke in as he kissed the side of Anna May's head, "But she ain't as pretty as my goil do, not by a long shot." I scowled a little, why did it bother me that I wasn't apparently as pretty as the resident floozy? First Jesse doesn't seem to realize I'm alive except when I do something stupid, then Blink says I don't look like a girl, now Print! I meant to hide my femininity, not lose it all together...

"I tink we's gonna go find Whips, yer comin right Vel?" Spit asked, jerking me from my epiphiny.

"Huh? Oh yeah, sure." I followed Spit as we weaved our way through the gray tinted crowd for a while before he whipped around and grabbed my wrist,

"You don't trust her either do you?"

"Who? Anna May?" Spit gave me a look,

"No, Queen Elizabeth, of course Anna May!"

"No I don't... Can you keep a secret?" I whispered, Spit nodded, "She was at home last night... she was wit Fiction."

"Well dat ain't a crime."

"His shirt was unbuttoned and her's was barely on anymore." Spit gasped in a way that would have made any gossiping fishwife proud. Then he hung his head, glancing back the way we'd come, towards Print.

"Dis is gonna kill him." I sighed,

"I think when this get's over 'm gonna have a little chat wit Fiction." Spit chuckled half-heartedly,

"Might pay ta see dat."

"I might sell tickets." Jesse said, suddenly appearing out of the crowd, "what are we talkin' bout?"

"Vel goin' up against Fiction."

"Den hell yeah 'd sell tickets. Fiction don't stand a chance against my goil." he wrapped his arms around my waist and settled his chin on my shoulder. I sighed a little, then half turned my head so I could almost loook at Jesse.

"Can I ask ya somethin?"

"O' course."

"Do you love me er somethin'?" Jesse's head slumped and Spit just burst out laughing.

"Dare's dat subtle tact dat yer so good at." Jesse muttered. I just glared at him,

"Well?"

"Yes Velvet, I love ya. Have fera long, long while now. Does dat make ya happy?" Happy? I felt like my soul could fly and take the whole rest of my body with it. I spun around and threw my arms around his neck the way I had when he'd brought our daughter back from the Treasure Chest. He nearly toppled over, but caught himself just in time and hugged me back while Spit was doubled over in laughter. Suddenly something hit me, I stetched up and whispered into Jesse's ear,

"Do you have any idea how strange this looks?"

"Dat 'm huggin' my goil?"

"Dat yer huggin' anodder guy real close like he's yer goil."

Author's Note

all i have to say is FINALLY!

Reviews

[Corey Lunare-]

"Dat yer huggin' anodder guy real close like he's yer goil."
Oh my! i laughed for a good thirty seconds after reading this one Dream! im excited to see what they all do to Fiction that cheating b*****d, excuse my langauge, but i hate people like him. This story you are writing has built upon so many different emotions of mine and thats what makes it great...sadness, anger, love, hate, hope....When is Belle coming back inot the picture? The only thing i think is weird is how she can go around all happy and carefree when her daughter (her life) is so far away but i suppose shes in good hands with Satin and she trusts her. Yeah. Newways great job my good friend Dream! I will be sure to return when u post sum more!