Boy With The Belt

❝You stammered, there.     no offense, really, just…       I’m sorry I’m n-nervous.❞

"…Just gimme the damn papes.”

"Maybe I mistook ya fer a lamppost."

For once in the history of New York, it was actually a very nice day, and Morris was determined to take advantage of the sun shining down.

He bumped into the girl without even realizing it, only realizing it when his hat fell to the sidewalk.

‶ ✍ ″ ;; —— ‼

  ❝  Believe it or not, just ‘cause I       work for The Sun does not mean       I spend every waking hour there. ❞

     Just … the majority of her time,      in all honesty.

     Lips pull back into an aggravated      line —- he’s in her way. Knowingly,      too, if his demeanour stands as any      indication.

                         S i g h .

   ❝ Would you mind ?❞ 

❝Well, I guess that's my mistake then. I was fooled by the fact you barely leave.❞

He gave her a seemingly innocent smile, daring her to do something about the fact  that he was in her way.He chuckled at her anger, looking at her square in the eye with his jaw set.

❝Would I mind what, exactly.❞

"Sorry Morris, I—uh—didn’t see you there—"

     despite the other’s aggravated tone,      jack remained where he stood. he      looked back at morris, the corner      of his mouth curling up slightly as      he ( taunted ) him.

     ❝ why ? ya got somewhere to be ? ❞

    Morris growled and straightened his back, going from relaxed into survival mode on  instinct, a survival skill he had naturally.

Les bit his lip staring up at the older boy.

He stumbled back slightly as Morris shoved him.

"Am I lookin’ at one?" As soon as he said that he regretted it.

He knew that probably wasn’t the best thing to say especially with whom he was talking to. He prayed that Morris hadn’t heard him.

Morris curled his lip in irritation, shoving him back  with a growl. The damn kid had a mouth, and he was not about to let things go.

❝No, and if ya ain't careful  you'll be looking at the pavement instead.❞

         ❝I seem distant? As in…             occupied, yes? I, um,             I would argue, but I’ve             been a little jumpy, a lot.             You seem concerned.             Should I be concerned?❞

❝Dammit, Kelly, can't you just cut me a goddamn break and walk the hell away before I throw up on your shoes?❞

Morris was more than a little worse for wear, a fight  gave him more pain than the insult he had thrown at him, a stupid comment about his dad that caused him to  bristle in anger. Now he had run smack dab into Jack Kelly himself, and even worse,his head spinning wildly with every word he spat, trying to keep from keeling over right in the middle of the street. He'd be dead if he went home like this, and his father---- no, it didn't matter anymore, he wouldn't be able to get home anyways.

"I’se lookin’ for some people. Jus’ wondering if ya could help me."

"Uh, excuse me? Ya ain’t given me nothin’ yet. I wanna get what I paid for, Delancey.”