When we last left Fox, the newsies had just discovered that Fox was a girl. She and Race were best friends, and she and Spot hated each other. Fox continued to try to pass herself off as a boy, but some of the other boys wouldn’t let her forget it. When the first few girls entered the lodging house, it became harder for Fox to hide her femininity. She tried for the longest time, until one of the girls decided that she liked Fox, that is. Her name was Daisy, and she was fifteen.

One day in particular, Fox was running from Daisy, who frequently followed Fox to her selling spot and ultimately drove her crazy. Fox had run to the racetrack in order to find her best friend. She saw him on the corner outside the track. “Race!” she yelled as she ran up to him.

“Oh, heya, Fox. How’s it goin’?” Race replied, turning to her.

“Race, ya gotta help me,” she panted. “Daisy’s on me tail agin,” she continued, exasperated.

Race laughed. “She really likes ya,” he answered, still laughing.

“She’s an annoyin’ little brat, Race,” she retorted

“Awright, awright, awright,” he finally agreed. “Go hide behind da pillahs a da track. I’ll send ‘er away.” He shooed her toward the track.

“Thanks, Race,” she said, relieved, and ran behind the pillars, hiding in the shadows.

Daisy arrived a few minutes later. She hurried over to Race. “Hey, Race. Ya seen Fox?” she asked excitedly.

“Nope,” Race answered, handing a man a paper.

“Ya sure? I saw ‘im run this way,” she prodded.

Race looked directly at her. “I ain’t seen ‘im, Daisy.” He paused. “Say, why ya so interested in ‘im anyway?” he asked, curious.

Daisy almost melted. “Aw, Race, he’s so handsome ‘n’ so much fun ta be around,” she answered, imagining Fox.

Race sighed and shook his head. “Why don’t cha give it up, kid. Fox don’t like ya. Quit buggin’ ‘im,” he said, slightly irritated. He didn’t like to see his best friend being driven nuts.

“Aw, come on, Race. Haven’t you ever been in love wit’ a girl?” Daisy asked, trying to get Race to see her view.

Race thought about what she’d said. “Yeah,” he mumbled, thinking about the girl he was in love with.

Daisy smiled. “Will ya tell me which way ‘e went, Race?” she asked.

“Dat way,” he mumbled, nodding his head up the street.

“Thanks, Race,” she bubbled and ran off up the street.

A moment later, Fox stepped out of her hiding place. She walked back over to Race. “Hey, thanks, Race. Dat goyls really boddahs me,” she commented with a smile, glad that Race had done what he’d done.

“Anytime, Fox,” he replied, forcing a smile.

Fox looked at her friend more closely. “Hey, Race, ya okay?” she asked, concerned.

Race looked up at her. “I’m fine,” he mumbled.

“No, yer not, Race. Somethin’s bodderin’ ya. What is it?” she pried.

“It’s nothin’,” he assured her. Neither of them spoke for a moment. “Say, we still on fer da game in da Bronx tanight?” he wondered.

“I’m awways up fer a game, Race; ya know dat,” she replied, forcing a smile and not believing his answer that nothing was bothering him. She nodded and turned to leave. “I’ll see ya at da lodgin’ house, Race,” she called over her shoulder.

“Right, see ya den,” he yelled back, watching her walk away. He sighed and went back to work.

Fox hurried back to the lodging house, still on the lookout for Daisy. She had to clean up for the game that evening. She and Race were due in the Bronx at seven, only two hours away. She usually wouldn’t need that much time, but she needed to take a shower and then let her hair dry. Once she made sure there was no one in the lodging house, she removed her hat and clothes and took a quick shower. Once she was out of the shower, she dressed in her only pair of pants but put on a clean undershirt and a clean button-down shirt. Tonight, she was a girl again.

Since she still had a good hour and a half, Fox decided to do some reading. Specs had said she could borrow any of his books anytime she wanted. She picked up one of the thinner books and began reading, sitting down on her bunk comfortably.

About an hour later, Fox heard footsteps on the stairs. She stuffed her hair up under her hat quickly and continued reading. Race walked through the door a moment later, hat in hand. He nodded to Fox as he tossed his hat and vest onto his bunk.

“Heya, Fox,” he greeted, heading into the washroom, still a bit melancholy.

“Race,” she replied, glancing up at him.

Race didn’t answer. He just went into the washroom and took a short shower. He’d almost forgotten Fox was in the bunk room, so he came out of the washroom wearing only his pants. When he saw Fox again, he hurried to put on a clean shirt. He also pulled on his vest and then combed his hair. When he was ready, he turned back to Fox.

“Ya ready, Fox?” he inquired, placing his hat on his head.

“Whenevah you are, Race, but, remembah, I’m Anne tanight,” she replied, standing and rearranging the hat on her head.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he mumbled, taking hold of her arm and pulling her out into the streets. They walked on toward the Bronx.

As they neared the Bronx, Fox removed her hat and let her hair fall past her shoulders. She shook it out and put the hat back on her head. They crossed the bridge a few minutes later and were greeted by one of the newsies from the Bronx.

“Racetrack Higgins?” the boy asked, approaching Race and Fox and recognizing Race from the description he’d been given.

Race nodded. “Race,” he corrected, “an’ this’s,” he paused, “me companion Anne McKinly.”

The boy nodded gentlemanly to Fox. “Andrew McKennah, but dey call me Spades,” he introduced.

“Nice ta meet cha, Spades,” Fox greeted, surveying him carefully.

“Five Cawd Jim sent me ta meet cha ‘n’ bring ya ta da game. Ya wouldn’t be able ta find it no oddah way. Follah me,” he informed, leading them into the Bronx. They walked for several minutes, winding their way through the streets to a run-down old warehouse near the water. Spades knocked on the metal door.

A small slot slid open, and a pair of eyes looked out. The slot shut quickly, and the door creaked open. Spades ushered them in. Once they were through the door, the heavy bolt on the door slammed shut. Fox jumped at the sudden sound. Race took hold of her hand, squeezing it tightly, and led her through the dark passageways of the warehouse, following Spades. The dark passageway soon opened up into a large, well-lit room.

The room was well furnished and looked like it was used primarily for gambling. There was a large central, felt-covered table surrounded by several smaller tables, also covered in green felt. There were three tables along the back wall that looked like they were for craps, all covered in the same felt, though these had numbers and words written on them. Each table had a dealer who wore a black bow tie and a black derby, all except for the central table. No one sat at the central table, not even a dealer. The three dealers at the back tables held dice and long wooden sticks that had one end bent inward to retrieve the dice.

Race and Fox were led to the central table. “Siddown,” Spades instructed. “Five Cawd Jim’ll be wit’ cha in a moment.” With that, Spades disappeared.

Fox and Race sat down. Race spoke first. “Ya shoah ‘bout dis, Fox?” he whispered.

“Anne,” she corrected quietly.

“Ya shoah ‘bout dis, Anne?” he repeated.

“Look, Race, we’re good here. I used ta know Jim, years ago when ‘e lived in da same buildin’ as my family. He’s a good man, awways treated me good. If anythin’ goes wrong, ‘e won’t let anyone hoit me. He knows me. I arranged fer ‘im ta invite ya, includin’ a guest. I’ll make shoah no one touches ya, Race. Leave everythin’ ta me,” she whispered back, reassuring him and holding his hands in hers.

Race nodded. “If ya says so, Anne,” he mumbled, still nervous.

A minute later, a tall, slender, dark-haired man walked up to the table. Race and Fox stood. The man smirked and looked right at Fox. He extended his hand to shake hers. She slid her hand into his immediately. The man yanked her close to him and kissed her, holding her in place. Fox could’ve easily pushed him away, but she didn’t. Race became edgy. After a moment, the man released her and turned to Race.

“Five Cawd Jim Blackaw,” he introduced, extending his hand to shake Race’s.

Race looked at him for a moment, unsure if he would get the same greeting at Fox. “Racetrack Higgins,” Race replied, shaking hands with Five Card Jim. “I take it you ‘n’ Anne know each oddah.”

“What? She didn’t tell ya?” Five Card Jim inquired.

“Jim,” Fox stated quickly, dropping the prefix of his name.

Five Card Jim looked over at her. She gave him a look that told him not to proceed with that train of thought. He nodded to her and gestured to them to sit. “Have a seat. We’ll ‘ave a few oddahs along in a couple a minutes,” he said, taking his seat across the table. After he sat, he spoke again. “So, Anne, how ya been? I ain’t tawked wit’ cha in a couple a years,” he commented.

Fox sat and pulled her knee up to her chest. “Well, Jim, I ran ‘way from my family ‘bout three years ago. Joined up wit’ da Manhattan newsies ‘bout a year ‘n’ a half ago. Been doin’ dat ever since. What ‘bout you? I see ya got a business goin’ here,” she replied.

Five Card Jim smiled. “I been good. Aftah da fire, all I had was my gamblin’. I got me a reputation as bein’ da best at cawds, gittin’ me da nickname, ‘n’ opened up Da Cawd Room wit’ my winnin’s. We’ve expanded a bit in da last couple a years,” he explained, noticing three new arrivals. “’Scuse me,” he said as he stood. He walked over and greeted the new arrivals. A moment later, they were all sitting down at the table.

Spades introduced everyone per Five Card Jim’s request. “Racetrack Higgins, Anne McKinly, Drake Fulton, Photo Magdon, Stripes Dillen, Crispy Stilden, ‘n’ Hamlin Deltin, Five Cawd Jim Blackaw,” he said, going around the table and then sitting between Drake and Photo.

Five Card Jim received a deck of cards from a blond boy carrying a box full of new decks, all wrapped in their original containers. Five Card opened the box of cards and tossed the container over his shoulder. He shuffled the cards quickly. Fox watched him closely. The last time the two of them had played cards together, he’d cheated. She wondered if he still did. She watched him closely the entire night.

“The game’s this, gentlemen, Anne: Five Cawd Draw, deuces wild, no limit, nickel ante,” he said as he began to deal the cards to everyone. He finished dealing. “Ante up, gentlemen, Anne.” Fox rolled her eyes at the special treatment. She was the only girl and a friend of the dealer and owner. She didn’t like being singled-out, especially not in a place like this.

The boys all tossed their nickels into the center. Fox did the same and watched Five Card out of the corner of her eye. Everyone picked up his cards, and the betting began. Five Card Jim won a few hands, as did Race and Spades. The others just seemed to be losing money. After the twentieth hand, Fox stood.

“Jim, a word,” she stated, walking away from the table. Five Card didn’t move. “Now!” she yelled, glancing over her shoulder at him. He excused himself politely and showed her into another room. After he closed the door, Fox grabbed his collar and slammed him up against the door. Everyone in the other room jumped and looked toward the room. “Yer stackin’ da deck, Jimmy,” she accused.

“I ain’t,” he protested.

“Den tell me dis, why’re only you, Race, ‘n’ Spades winnin’?”

“Da rest ‘v’im’re bad cawd playahs.”

“Why ya dealin’ from da bottom a da deck?”

Five Card’s expression faded. He hadn’t realized that she’d gotten so good at catching cheaters. “Yer bettah ‘an ya was las’ time.” He paused and ran his fingers along her face and through her hair. “But how’re ya in da extra stuff?” he wondered, moving closer to her.

She raised her hand, moving his hand away from her face, and pushed him away. “Jimmy, no. I don’t bet like dat anymore,” she replied, turning away from him.

“It doesn’t hafta be a bet,” he informed her, stepping closer to her again.

Fox spun around and slammed him into the door again. “Listen ta me one las’ time, Jimmy. I won’t say it agin. I don’t do dat anymore,” she hissed. She breathed deeply and released her grip on him. “I deal from now on er I expose ya. Da cops’re lookin’ fer dis place, ya know.”

Five Card just looked at her. Neither of them spoke for a moment. Then he nodded. “You deal. We’ll git a new deck,” he complied.

Fox nodded politely and headed out of the room. Five Card followed her, grumbling something not fit for a proper lady to hear. She sat back down at her place next to Race. Five Card called Joseph over and got another deck of cards. He handed them to Fox reluctantly. Spades’s eyes widened as he watched the transfer, then he looked at Five Card. All he did was look at Spades. For the first time, Spades realized that they’d been caught cheating. Fox just opened the deck of cards and shuffled them thoroughly. She began dealing.

“The game’s Seven Cawd Draw, one-eyes wild, nickel ante,” she said, glancing at Five Card and knowing that he hated playing Seven Card. They called him Five Card for a reason. He glared at her and picked up his cards. The score was even now.

Late that night, Five Card Jim decided that the game was over. He snatched the cards out of Fox’s hands and declared the building closed. “Da Cawd Room’s closed. Everybody out!” he barked, walking away from the table. The others were quite surprised, but not Fox. A few of the players began squabbling about the debts they were owed.

Fox stood slowly. “Jim,” she called calmly. He didn’t answer. “James Andrew Blackaw,” she stated loudly. The room suddenly silenced, and Five Card turned around.

“Don’t stawt, Anne,” he spit back.

Fox walked around the table and approached him. “Dese boys want da money ya owe ‘em,” she informed.

“If I’d a been dealin’, we wouldn’t owe ‘em no money,” he hissed quietly.

Fox smiled slightly. “Yer right. If you’d a been dealin’, I might a told ‘em earlier ya were stackin’ da deck,” she replied, her voice almost echoing throughout the room.

Jim struck her, hard. Fox didn’t fall; her head just turned with the force of the blow. Race tried to help her, but Spades held him back. “You little wretch,” he accused, emphasizing every syllable.

Fox turned back to him slowly. “I tell ya what, Five Cawd Jim,” she began, saying his name very slowly, “let’s play one more game a pokah. I win, dese boys git dere money-“

“What if I win?” he interrupted.

“If you win, ya git what you want.”

Five Card smiled slowly. “I git what I want?” She nodded affirmatively. “Deal,” he agreed, smiling wickedly.

“We play Five Cawd.” He continued smiling. “Straight.” His smiled faded. She knew he hated playing Straight Poker. “What’s da mattah, Jimmy? Think ya cain’t cut it?” she accused.

“Shuddup ‘n’ siddown,” he snapped, walking back over to the table. He yanked his chair out and slammed it back down on the floor. Joseph came back with another deck of cards, handing them to Five Card. He began to open the pack.

“Hamlin deals.”

“Aw, now, c’mon-“

“Fair dealin’.”

Five Card grumbled and handed the pack to Hamlin. “Nothin’ wild,” he instructed, throwing Fox a curve. Hamlin nodded and shuffled the cards under the table. When he was finished, he began dealing the cards.

Fox was sitting across the table from Five Card, straightening her chips. She made several neat piles of each amount, making Five Card nervous. The chips were clinking together loudly in the silent room. Race walked up to her and spoke quietly.

“Ya shoah ya knows what cher doin’?” he whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Yes, Race. I know exactly what I’m doin’. Now, ya kin sit er stand, but stay outta dis,” she whispered back. Race nodded and sat down next to her.

Fox and Five Card played the game for a long time yet, far into the night. The two would play until either one of them was out of chips. There would be no collateral after that. They played almost ruthlessly. Neither was winning. When one won one hand, the other would win the next hand. The pot usually didn’t get above a certain amount. It usually didn’t go about ten dollars.

Hamlin gulped and dealt another hand. Five Card couldn’t help but smirk when he saw his cards. He’d never been particularly good at keeping a straight face when he had an especially good hand. Fox used it to her advantage. She had a way of hiding what her hand was even after it had been revealed. Even if it were the worst hand ever dealt, she could bluff her way to a win.

“Raise,” Five Card mumbled, tossing a few chips into the pot. Fox watched his eyes for a moment and then tossed several chips into the center. Five Card grumbled, looked at his cards, and then back up at Fox. She just blinked coolly. He grumbled again and threw a handful of chips into the pot. “Raise,” he growled.

Fox blinked again and just watched Five Card. She knew his cards. She sighed and leaned back in her chair, holding her cards close to the table, face down. She just watched Five Card calmly. He became edgy. She sighed again and put several dollars worth of chips into the pot. “Raise,” she replied calmly.

Five Card just stared at the pot. He was having trouble deciding what to do. If he lost, he would have to give up nearly sixty dollars to the seven previous players, including whatever Fox won in this hand. He couldn’t decide to raise and see if she folded and perhaps get most of her money or fold and let her win the twenty-five dollars currently in the pot. He’d begun sweating. He was very nervous. He finally decided to raise again. The bet was up to six dollars now.

Fox watched his movements carefully. She watched his hands as much as his eyes. Though his sleeves were rolled up past his elbows, there were still plenty of places to hide cards. He’d taught her that. He’d taught her almost everything she knew about playing cards, mainly Five Card Draw, how to catch a cheater, and how to cheat. She knew all his tricks, and she watched for them and for new ones. She kept her eyes on her opponent the entire time. She couldn’t afford to divert her eyes.

“Raise,” she said sweetly, adding two more dollars to the bet.

Five Card gulped. He looked back at his cards. He couldn’t decide if the cards he held were worth it. He looked back at her in an effort to decipher her hand. She told him nothing. He tried to remember the cards that had already been dealt, but he couldn’t remember it all. Hi did, however, neglect to recall that Hamlin had re-shuffled the cards after each hand. He wiped the sweat from his brow and placed his hands on his chips.

He gulped again and pushed his entire pile of chips into the center. “Fifteen dollahs more,” he said, blinking through the sweat.

This move had surprised Fox, but she didn’t let it show. She seemed as cool as the moment she’d walked in. She nodded and added twenty-three dollars to the pot. She still had about four left in front of her. “Let’s see yer cawds, Jimmy,” she said calmly, still watching him.

Five Card set his cards down on the table slowly, not wanting to reveal them to the others before Fox saw them. Everyone except six of the spectators in the room cheered when they saw his cards. “Read ‘em ‘n’ weep. Straight flush, Anne,” he said cockily as he began to assemble the pot.

Fox watched him for a moment, one eyebrow raised. She looked at his cards. Seven, eight, nine, ten, and jack in diamonds, a straight flush no doubt. She waited until Five Card was walking away from the table with the jackpot in a bucket before she said anything. “Any wish ta see my cawds?” she asked, still sitting in her chair comfortably.

Five Card laughed. “I got some news fer ya, Anne. I had a straight flush. Dat’s da highest hand in da deck. Sorry, kiddo, but yer mine,” he answered slyly, smirking.

“Tsk, tsk,” she began, showing amusement. He looked at her. “A straight flush ain’t da highest hand, Jimmy.” He looked at her, curious and confused. She rested her chin on her hand that was propped up on the table. “A royal flush, my dear,” she replied, setting her cards down carefully. Spades.

Five Card dropped the chips and hurried back to the table. “Ya couldn’t!” he mumbled, grabbing the cards and searching through them. He threw them back on the table and grabbed the deck away from Hamlin. He searched through the deck for her cards. They were missing. “Spades! Search ‘er!” he ordered. Spades started toward her. Race stood in his way.

Fox stood and removed her shirt, placing it on the back of the chair. She stepped away from the table, opened her arms, and spun in a circle slowly. When she turned back to face him, she spoke. “Unlike you, Jimmy, I don’t cheat,” she stated, pulling her shirt back on but not bothering to button it.

“No! I won’t accept it!” he yelled, slamming his hand down on the table.

Fox became angry. “Accept it, Jimmy!” she exclaimed, staring at him intently. “I won fair ‘n’ square. You lost. Give dese boys dere money,” she demanded harshly.

Five Card was about to yell back at her, but one of the dealers stopped him. “Five Cawd,” the dealer began, “give ‘em dere money. We kin awways eoin it back. We might even git more takahs aftah dis. We don’t want no cops on us.” Five Card looked at him and nodded.

“Daniel, git ‘em dere money. Anne gits eighty-five,” he mumbled, defeated. Daniel went to get the cash box. He returned a moment later with the metal box and a small wooden box. He dealt out the money to the six previous players. He handed the wooden box to Fox. “Ya all got yer money. Now, git outta heah,” Five Card barked.

Five of them hurried out of the warehouse. Race stayed by Fox’s side. Fox handed Race her box and stepped up to Five Card. “Thanks, Five Cawd Jim. It’s been a lovely night,” she said and turned to leave.

“Anne!” She turned back. “Don’t you er any a yer friends evah dare come near me er my place agin. Ya got dat?” he spit back furiously.

Fox nodded politely. “So long’s you stay away from me, too,” she replied, walking toward the door. “G’night, Jim.” With that, she stepped out the door. Race was a step behind her. They walked in silence to the edge of the borough and a few blocks into Manhattan. Fox buttoned her shirt completely as they walked.

“Boy, Fox, dat was great!” Race exploded, picking her up suddenly and swinging her around. She laughed a little. He set her down again. “I nevah knew ya knew how ta play dat good.”

Fox blushed and looked down at the street. “We nevah played anyone like Jim before. He’s da hawdest in da city,” she replied, looking back at her friend.

Race just smiled and looked at her. She laughed and appeared to become distant. Race couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed hold of Fox and pulled her toward him, kissing her passionately. Fox was surprised and pushed him away. She was breathing hard as she just looked at him. A moment later, she took hold of him and kissed him just as he’d kissed her. After several more minutes, they both pulled away.

“Ever since I found out ya was Anne, I been wantin’ ta do dat,” he mumbled, running the back of his fingers down her face.

Fox was silent for a moment; she just stared into his eyes. “C’mon. We gotta git back; it’s late,” she finally said, bending down and picking up her box, which she’d dropped several minutes earlier because she’d been startled so. She started toward the lodging house again, stuffing her hair up into her hat.

Race hurried after her and grabbed hold of her wrist. “But, Fox, I… I…” he stuttered, trying to find the words.

Fox turned back around and kissed him lightly, one hand on his cheek. “Don’t chu worry, Race. I’m yers, have been fer a long time yet,” she replied, letting her hand drop to his shoulder. “Come,” she directed, taking hold of his hand and pulling him along. After several blocks, she dropped his hand and made sure her hair was well-concealed.

The two walked into the lodging house some time later. No one was in the lobby, but there were definitely people awake in the bunk rooms. It was too noisy upstairs for it to be otherwise. They walked upstairs and into the bunk room, each walking to his respective bunk. Jack greeted them loudly.

“Heya, Fox, Race,” he greeted, walking over to them.

“Heya, Jack,” Race replied, turning toward him. Fox just nodded her greeting.

Just then, Daisy came bounding into the room. Fox sighed irritably as she unbuttoned her shirt. “Fox!” Daisy bubbled as she hurried over to Fox.

Fox groaned as she removed her shirt, the first time in a year in a half while in the presence of everyone. Daisy screeched to a halt when she noticed Fox’s not too masculine figure. Fox removed her hat and shook her hair out. “Will ya leave me alone now, Daisy?” she barked, stepping away from her bunk.

“Fox! Yer a girl!” Daisy yelped. At that, everyone from the other room rushed in, obviously hearing Daisy’s cry. They stood, shocked, in the doorway. Jack stood in the corner, silently laughing. Once Daisy regained her composure, she turned to Race. “D’ju know ‘bout dis?!” she accused.

Race stepped up next to Fox and put an arm around her shoulders. “A coise I knew,” he answered bluntly. Several of the older newsies almost gagged with shock when they saw Race put his arm around her.

“But… I… You… Fer…” Daisy stuttered, not able to find the words. The older newsies tried to control their laughter. Race just smirked. He was trying to hold back the laughter, too.

Before Daisy could get even more embarrassed, Jack spoke up. “So, Race, where’d you’se two go tanight?” he inquired, implying something scandalous.

“Ya evah hoid a Five Cawd Jim Blackaw?” Fox answered before Race could and walking toward Jack.

“Yeah, I hoid ‘v’im. So?” Jack replied, standing up from the wall.

“I cleaned ‘im out, Jack.”

All Jack could do was blink and gape at her. He couldn’t believe his ears. He’d never heard of anyone beating Five Card Jim Blackaw. “Ya- Ya beat Five Cawd Jim?” he stammered.

“Yeah,” Race began, walking over to Fox. “She’s real good at pokah, ‘n’ I mean real good.” He stepped up right next to her. Suddenly, he grabbed hold of Fox’s shoulder, turned her toward him, dipped her, and kissed her all in one motion. The boys whooped and hollered. Fox held onto him so she didn’t fall, also she enjoyed it. Race let her back up a moment later.

“I wondahed when you’se two’d finally see da light,” Jack laughed.

“What? An’ miss da look on yer face?” she quirked, laughing.

Jack laughed again. “So ya gonna be a goyl now, er ya gonna continue bein’ da boy we all know?” he asked.

Fox put her hands on her hips and turned, walking around the room. “Well, Jack, I awways been a goyl. Now dat ever’body knows, I mays well stop hidin’. I’m da same ol’ Fox, jist a li’l different in appearance, dat’s all. But any a ya call me Anne, I’m liable ta break yer arm,” she replied, adding the last part seriously. The others agreed quickly.

Back at her bunk, Snipeshooter picked up her box. “Hey, Fox, what’s dis?” he asked, trying to pry the lock off.

Fox looked back at him. Her eyes grew wide, and she yanked it out of her hand quickly. Snipeshooter jumped. “It’s nothin’ ya need ta see,” she snapped, making sure the lock was still secure. She’d have to get a better lock in the morning. She looked back at the boys. “Anyone up fer a game a pokah?” she called.

They all grumbled and turned away from her. After they were told about the events that had transpired that evening, none of them ever wanted to play poker with her again. They all just went back to what they were doing when she and Race had come in. The two of them picked up a book, sat down on her bunk, and began reading. Race had his arm around her the whole time, until she fell asleep, that is. Race kissed her forehead softly as she slept. He smiled down at her and went to sleep, resting his head on hers.

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